Owning a cat can be an amazing and life-fulfilling experience. But, it can also be very tiring and sort of a nightmare. Especially if you opt for a feline that doesn’t go well with your lifestyle.
Unfortunately, a Bengal beauty might be one of those cats. Even though she’s gorgeous and exotic looking, and can be a truly great life companion, she can also make your life a living hell.
So, if you have thought about getting a Bengal, here are 10 reasons why you simply must abandon that idea. Especially if you’re new to the cat parenting game.
1. Bengal cat is extremely hyperactive and a true attention seeker
Bengal cats could possibly be the most energetic cat breed in the world today. They love to be the center of everyone’s attention, and they’ll stop at nothing until all eyes are on them.
They love to play and run around, and they thrive on learning new tricks. So, if you’re not very energetic yourself, and you’re hoping to get a lap cat to cuddle with for hours on end, a Bengal kitty is not for you.
2. She loves to climb and explore the area she’s in
This breed is a professional climber. They love to get their paws on top of everything that’s high, even if it means breaking a vase or two in the process.
They are known to climb curtains, walk on shelves, and sleep at the top of a wardrobe. But, that’s not actually the worst part.
The problem arises when they’re let outside. If not looked after, Bengals might climb on top of trees or buildings and run away from their owners looking for an adventure.
So, if you don’t want to be stressed about your cat’s whereabouts, stay away from Bengals.
3. She requires a lot of space
Due to their curious nature, their desire for adventure, and their size, too, Bengal cats need a lot of space. They love to explore and play fetch with their owner, and other various games.
So, if you’re someone who lives in an apartment, you might not have enough space for her needs.
4. If left alone for too long, she might destroy everything
It’s never advisable to leave any cat alone for too long, really. And Bengal cats are no exception.
Because they are very social and love to spend time with people, if left unattended for a long time, Bengals can develop separation anxiety. They can become lonely, which can lead to some destructive behaviors like scratching furniture, breaking vases, peeing outside the litter box, and so on.
So, if you’re someone who’s not often at home, whose working hours are crazy, or someone who travels a lot, you might want to skip this breed.
5. She requires frequent play sessions and mental stimulation
Because they are so hyperactive, you’ll need to ensure you have plenty of free time to play with your Bengal cat. She needs to have an outlet for her energy, so she doesn’t end up being destructive and aggressive.
Bengals are also a highly intelligent breed, so you’ll need to make sure those games you play with your Bengal cat are fun, interactive, puzzling, and overall a great mental stimulation for her.
If this is something you cannot do, then you probably shouldn’t own a Bengal cat.
6. She can have some unpleasant health conditions, like chronic diarrhea or UTI
You should know that Bengal cats are prone to suffering from urinary tract infections, and are known to be susceptible to kidney problems and stress. But, as much as this is hard for them to handle, you will certainly feel the consequences of these conditions on your own skin, too.
Because these might cause your Bengal to pee everywhere. Literally everywhere! Not just next to her litter box, but on your carpet, couch, shoe, and so on.
She might do this not because she’s sick, but because she can. If something doesn’t go her way – she’ll definitely find a victim to sprinkle over some of her golden pawrfume.
Also, because Bengals’ tummies don’t do well with standard cat food, this breed is no stranger to diarrhea.
If all of this is too much for you, then you should opt for a different breed.
7. She is a great hunter with a strong prey drive
Bengals cats are known to be excellent hunters with a strong prey drive. And although this might sound like a good thing, it can be quite troublesome when observed from a different point of view.
A Bengal cat is usually on a constant lookout for prey. Many Bengal parents have reported that their vivacious fluffs regularly surprise them with special gifts, a.k.a. carcasses of small animals like birds, rodents, mice, and others.
So, if you find this disturbing, leave this kitty to someone who’ll know how to appreciate these gifts.
8. She can be very loud and get jealous
Bengal cats are very vocal. If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, try imagining a cat who is constantly meowing, chirping, trilling, and yowling. And then multiply it by two. That’s how vocal they are!
Maybe this is because of their desire to constantly be the center of attention. So, they’re meowing to ensure you never forget they’re there.
And they can also get extremely jealous. If they see you cuddling another cat, your baby, or God forbid a dog, you’ll definitely feel their dissatisfaction.
This can be controlled by proper and constant training, but if you don’t have time or energy for it, then don’t get this breed.
9. She’s not suitable for homes with smaller pets
Because of their hunting nature, small pets in your home like birds, hamsters, fish, or guinea pigs will undoubtedly be your Bengal’s main target. And bear in mind: she’ll stop at nothing until she finally catches her prey.
10. She is expensive
Lastly, getting a Bengal cat could possibly become your biggest investment ever. Not only are they expensive to purchase, but they are expensive to take care of.
Generally speaking, an average price of a Bengal cat is between $1500 and $2000.
As we have already said, Bengals don’t digest standard cat food well, and they should be on a raw meat diet (which also costs a pretty penny). And due to the high risk of UTIs or kidney diseases, they should be taken to the vet regularly.
And of course, because they’re very energetic, they need a lot of interactive toys, cat trees, cat shelves, and so on.
All in all, if your budget is tight, and you cannot afford to spend a lot of money on a cat, they consider getting a less-demanding breed.