Hi,

I am thinking about buying a cat. Well, originally, I was going for a dog, but have decided against it as it will be left alone for upto 8hrs/day, 4-5 days/week. Apparently dogs donot take kindly to solitary confinement for 8hr stretches.

With the above in mind, I am considering buying 2 kittens of approximately 3 months old. Rather than buying 2 kittens from the same litter or breed, I would like 2 different breeds. At this stage, I am thinking of a Bengal Kitten and a Maine Coon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine_coon. I'm looking at the Maine Coon because it is the one of the largest domestic cat breeds and I feel a MC wont be overawed by the size/power/energy of a Bengal. Both cats will be pets and shall be neutered. I was thinking of getting 2 males.

Question: Is it ok to keep 2 breeds like this or is it better to stick to the same breed/litter? If not the Maine Coon, what other breed would be suitable to be a playmate to a Bengal male cat?

Not letting them out:
I'd also like to point out that as these are more exotic cats, I wouldnt really be happy letting them out of the house. If I let them out in my garden I fear they will climb up trees and begin to roam the neighbourhood. The Bengal especially is a £600 cat and has been known to be held to ransom. At this stage, I am thinking of having an enclosure in the garden, attached to the house, with access via a cat flap in the window. This will ensure that they get a little outdoor life, should they want it, while not having to worry about them escaping and getting killed or stolen. Sound good? Can I buy some contraption for them to exercise on? Someone on another forum talked about a cat wheel?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Ideally I did want a greyhound, however, leaving it alone for 8hrs/day would be cruel, so I am looking to revert to 'Plan B': cats.

Thanks

Hi There..
I got my dogs years ago before I worked fulltime..
the rott is now nearly 7 & the great dane is 2..
recently we rehomed the dane due to us being out 5 days a week..
she hated being left at home.. ( she is now with a millionaires family in sussex with 10 acres of land to play in!!)
the rott doesnt care due to her age, she just likes to watch the birds in the garden, whilst chewing her toenails!

The kittens will be fine together.. quite a few bengal people have Maine coons... ( beautiful cats)
as they are both babies, they will grow up together..
I must say though.. I would get 2 bengals..
they are so hilarious, you just never need the tv, with all their antics..
Im not sure about MC purrsonalities but imagine their not as lively as bengals...
good luck & post lots of piccies...

hi there & welcome

one of our members on here has a bengal & maine coon together, no problems. i think with them both being similar age & growing up together will be great. you seem very sensible about not letting them out, & taking their happiness into consideration. hopefully you'll take the plunge & have your new friends soon

large cat trees are excellent for bengals, they love to climb, run & jump...& yes, you can get cat wheels for them too here are some pics...
http://www.lyndazbengals.co.uk/new_page_5.htm
http://www.diamonddustbengals.co.uk/

just have a scroll down each page for the wheels.

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Naomi

I find the Maine Coons mannerisms very similar to a Bengal, Harvey likes water, likes heights (they're always fighting over who gets the top of the cat tree ) intelligent, affectionate.

The only thing Oska seems to excel in is naughtiness and noise (has broken two vases of flowers in the same day )

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Naomi

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Naomi

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Naomi