I really appreciate this discussion. I'm the person who complained that my Bella isn't affectionate (she certainly doesn't - and I think will never - sit in my lap! The person whose Bengal does, well, you're one lucky Bengal owner and I would stop worrying about its claws if I were you). I was worrying how we were going to clip Bella's claws. We've tried. My husband is a big, strong guy, terrific with animals, and Bella went ballistic on him, growling like a wildcat, hissing - he ceased and desisted. Today I contacted a vet tech who in the past house-sat my last cat, and she said she'd try. I think I'll simply let her know that I've concluded Bella doesn't need her claws clipped. We have plenty of scratching posts.
Also: her former owner taught her to walk on a leash. She has a harness ---- but ----- well, y'all know what I'm going to say. Bella growled at me today when I tried to put her harness on. She growled at me the last time. So I said to her, "You want it that way, Bella? Well, we're just not going to be able to go for a walk." Of course, she understood I was displeased with her and now was ignoring her. But it seems I'm going to have to give up on taking her for a walk on a lead, unless any of you can suggest a way I could get her used to said harness.
And you should see her at the vet's! I had to take her a month or so ago. One vet simply gave up trying to handle her for examination: she growled, hissed, and clawed, and not even with the assistance of two vet techs could the vet handle her. I consulted a cat behaviorist who said Bella was simply terrified and this was her way of defending herself. An explanation I found quite reasonable. But my question: is this normal Bengal behavior?
Another Bella peculiarity: being extremely smart (of course) she knows exactly how to wake me up at 6 A.M. to feed her. First, she knocks objects down from the dresser next to my bed. Next, she begins clawing the sides of my mattress, extremely annoying, and extremely effective at getting me out of bed and into the kitchen! I actually (as you can see ) find this somewhat amusing. Bella sounds the alarm, so to speak, and then we all - she, my little rescue cat, Jamie, and I - proceed to the kitchen where the two girls get their first meal of the day.
Nelle Woratnac
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