Bengal cats are a very desirable, sought-after breed of cat. Many people all over the world desire to own a Bengal of their own.
But many owners find that the Bengal cat “ownership experience” is a little more challenging than they were expecting.
What are Bengal cats really like to own?
Let’s find out!
Understand That Bengal Cat Ownership Can Be Challenging
The first thing to understand is that Bengal cat ownership can definitely be challenging.
Bengal cats are not necessarily the easiest breed of cat to own, especially if you are a first time cat owner (for more information on this, check out our guide to whether or not Bengal cats are suitable for first time owners).
Here are some of the reasons why owning a Bengal cat can be difficult:
Bengals can be rather “attention seeking” cats, and constantly demand your affection. If you’re after an easy-going, aloof cat, then this may not be the best option for you.
Bengals can be very vocal. One of the most common complaints/challenges people seem to report about Bengal ownership is having a noisy cat that talks lots. Check out our guide here on why Bengal cats talk so much for more information about this, and what you can do to mitigate the problem. If you’re after a “seen but not heard” breed of cat, then Bengals may not be the best.
Bengal cats can be fussy eaters, and this can cause stress (and sometimes even financial challenge) for owners. This doesn’t apply to all Bengals, but is definitely something worth considering. A fussy eater can be quite a challenge to deal with. Make sure you check out our guide to the best food for Bengal cats to find the right option for your potential cat; this is something that is very important to get right.
Bengal cats can be a bit destructive. This is one of the biggest concerns of many potential Bengal owners, and also one of the most substantial challenges of ownership. Bengal cats can be rather destructive if their energy is left “unchecked”. The solution here is that you need to provide your Bengal with a positive outlet for his/her energy. One of the best ways to do this is to provide you Bengal with a wide selection of toys. Check out our guide to the best toys for Bengal cats for more information on this.
Go In With Your Eyes Open
Don’t let all of the “warnings” above put you completely off Bengal ownership.
Bengal cats are wonderful creatures, and the majority of owners will tell you they do not regret their decision (apart from on the handful of occasions … but all pets have the potential to be very challenging).
The most important thing is to go in to the ownership process within your eyes wide open to the potential challenges that accompany sharing your home with a Bengal cat.
If you are able to do this, then chances are you’ll have a much more enjoyable and manageable ownership experience.
If you’re wondering “what are Bengal cats like to own”, then we hope you found this article helpful, and gave you a better understanding of what to expect from Bengal cat ownership.
We have had our Bengal – Kala – for over 12 years now, so have a lot of first-hand experience.
Although she has been a difficult cat on occasion, we love her to pieces and will very much miss her when she’s gone.
We have many other articles and more information about Bengal cats on this website – make sure you check them out.
If you have any questions you’d like answered about Bengal cat ownership, then feel free to leave a comment as well.
