Hi everyone!

I'm new here on the BengalCatForums, but desperate for help for my little bengal kitten, Zazu, so please help me/us out!

I just got my little male Bengal kitten 3 days ago, and he won't stop meowing. I have had cats all my life, though never a hybrid, and I know that kittens call for their mother and siblings in the beginning, but not non-stop. And yes, I'm aware that the Bengal cat is a very vocal breed, but nonetheless, I don't think it's normal for a cat, no matter the breed, to be meowing all the time, non-stop.
It's not even a meow, it's more like screaming/hysterical meowing. He meows while playing, when I pet him, and he goes nuts screaming his little lungs out, as if someone was trying to murder him, whenever I take a shower or cook/eat. He's got fresh water and food available all day, though he doesn't really eat a lot, almost nothing, only if I serve him wet foods. His litter box is always clean, and there are toys all over the floor for him to play with and a cat tree to climb on. I obviously play with him too, but I also need to get stuff done, like showering for instance, cleaning, cooking etc. He's surprisingly, or shockingly small for his age, only 850g approximately at 13 weeks old...
Has anyone got any idea what might be wrong? Or what I might be doing wrong? Any advice on what to do?

Help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance - I hope someone will try to help!

Hi!
He may be still trying to get used to the environment, 3 days is nothing. May be worth visiting the vet too if you haven't already done so.
Sorry I haven't got any other pointers, I'm a new-ish Bengal owner but that's what i would do...
Best of luck with lovely Zazu!

You should be taking him to the vet for a health check very soon anyway. Our breeder required us to have him see the vet within 72 hours of picking him up in order for the health guarantee to be valid.

_________________
~ Kyenta

I thought kittens in general didn't leave their mothers until at least 14 weeks? It could have been simply a little early and mums life lessons weren't finished yet.

My main concern would be his not eating much - are you feeding him what he was eating at the breeders etc? Mine arrived with me at 14 weeks and usually meowed only when they were demanding food, but they had each other for company. If he is eating wet food though it may be that he simply doesn't like the dry food - one of mine wouldn't touch it until I eventually found a dry he liked - I was feeding him the dry he had at the breeders but he simply wasn't interested.

Also, having toys all over the floor is all very well but you need to play with him a lot to help bond with him and wear out that kitten energy - toys lying inert on the floor quite possibly don't interest him! Do you have a flying frenzy? They are a Bengal must have.

Have you booked a trip to the vet yet to get him checked out as already suggested? I actually don't think my two were much bigger than how he looks when they arrived with us, but if you are worried about the amount he is eating you really need to get him sorted on that front as soon as possible. Is he losing weight?

Three days really is nothing though and it sounds like he is missing his mother and siblings if he cries the second you leave him on his own. However, at four years old, my two are still incredibly noisy and vocal - so you need to get used to it - mine seem to only stop lately if they are eating Jagger even goes out in the garden talking to himself at full volume

_________________
Clare
Hendrix and Jagger, Brown Marble Boys (born 18 August 2013)
Hampshire, UK

Welcome to our forum. I'm guessing the kitten is seriously missing his mom and siblings. Know that things WILL get better once he acclimates to you and his new home. Each cat is different and each reacts to stress in his own way. So, just hang in there. He should definitely be eating the same food the breeder was feeding him. And you need to work on bonding with him. Bengals require human interaction, so you must play with him and amuse him.

And do know that bengals do yowl and scream -- it's just their nature! When you read bengals are very vocal, it does not mean in a nice, low voice. It means they howl. Mine is 10 years old and howls at the top of his lungs much of the day. I was definitely not prepared for this as I've had cats for over 50 years. But, a bengal is not like your ordinary cat.

That being said, bengals are incredibly smart and very social and super sweet. Once you get this little one settled in, things should go much more smoothly.