hello all thanks for the add i have a Bengal kitten 7/8 months old he loves having his head rubbed his back and tail and craves attention but as soon as i pick him up he goes ape claws out etc. also he is very jittery sudden movements etc and he runs although he does come back . is it just patience needed or is there any tricks we can get him to allow us to pick him up and help him not to be so jittery
thank you

What do you mean by jittery? Just that he gets scared and runs?

Not liking to be picked up is normal and many Bengals do not like it. He may never like it. I would stop trying to pick him up and focus on what he does like..the head and back rubs!

None of my 3 Bengals liked being picked up but would tolerate it as they got older for small periods like picking them off the table or carrying them outside for a walk or into another room. They never wanted to be picked up and held for any longer than necessary.

I would say Bengals are typically not a breed that wants to be held and hugged. They are more on the go cats that are busy doing other things.

Ah right that explains a lot .thank you

Begals definitely do not like being picked up. If I need to pick up my bengal, I make sure I have on thick clothing, and hold him firmly, preferably by the scruff. He is very strong and can't be constrained if he doesn't want loving.

I pet him as much as I can on his terms. When he i rolling on the floor in front of me or up on my bed.

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Quasar only like to be picked up if you are going to transport him around the room, perhaps to look out the window at the birds on the feeder.
He jumps down pretty quickly, though, once he's bored. This is usually after >1 minute.

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~ Kyenta

OK THANK YOU ALL

It is true. Bengals in general do not like being picked up and held. There are exceptions. As for being jittery, mine will jump if there are any sudden movements or sounds. My domestic short haired cat is the same way. The cat's sense of heating is highly sensitive and they can hear things we cannot -- thus average noises for us can be loud to them. It's not strange behavior. My bengal prefers things quiet. TV off, no music, no sounds. When hubby has a soccer game on and the crowd is yelling and singing, the cats' heads pop up. I would try to keep things calm and collected in your home. Your kitty may never outgrow this. My bengal will turn 11 in March.