I'm new to this forum and I keep seeing this sentiment being repeated.
Is it true? In what ways are Bengals like toddlers?
I'm anticipating a lot of attention and playtime but maybe there are more behavioral patterns that I'm unaware of.

Mostly because they get into everything and do so in a care free manner. If it opens, there must be something for them in there. Unintentionally ( and sometimes intentionally ) destructive in nature.

I made the mistake before of trying to play a retro console game while she wanted to play. At first she would grab the cord and try to pull the controller out of my hand, then she followed it back and whacked the cartridge with her paw ( which reset the game ). When I fixed it, she did the same thing again which nuked my save games, so she got her playtime which lasted for 15 minutes then she laid down and had a nap.

LOL! Your first question! YES, bengals are like toddlers! They truly are inquisitive by nature and have to inspect and get into everything. They also challenge their boundaries. "Let me see if I can jump up on top of the flat screen TV." You tell the bengal "NO." Bengal looks right at you, at the top of the TV and prepares to jump. Owner gets up and shoos the bengal away. Seconds later, repeat the scenario! And repeat and repeat.

Bengals are also very active! No 20 hour naps for bengals. They do cat naps and then are rearing to go. Just like a toddler. The bigger thing is that human toddlers grow up to be teenagers. Bengals remain a toddler all their life. We use that comparison because toddlers and bengals are so similar.

If you've ever owned domestic cats, throw everything out the window because a bengal is nothing like a regular cat! A bengal will yowl at the top of its lungs. They want to be with their humans at all times and will follow you from room to room. They may hop in the shower with you or insist on drinking from the faucet. They love to play and interact with their owners. They bond heavily with humans.

Am I trying ti discourage you? Absolutely not! Just be prepared and accept that a Bengal is not your ordinary cat. They are loving, smart, faithful pets and will give you many wonderful adventures.

Nooo, Bengals are not like toddlers.


Bengals are more like ADHD toddlers on coke & skittles that don't adhere to human rules or logic, unless you can keep them mentally and physically stimulated.

IMO, bengals are like “regular” cats only more so. More mischief, more vocal, more demanding, more quirky, more athletic, more active, more aggressive, more needy, more crazy, more stubborn, basically more more more.

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The little monsters 3

I totally agree with what everyone has said a bengal is definitely not for the faint hearted
My girl especially really does push the boundaries in every way she can, I thought I knew bengals after having 2 before her but was I wrong she has pushed me to the limits sometimes.
As for my boy he has the loudest voice I have ever heard, the first time he did it me and my husband thought he was injured so we ran upstairs to see what it was and he's just sat there looking at us a if to say "what".

But on the other hand they are so comical they have us in stitches laughing sometimes and they are both so loving but not lap cats, my mum always says I dont know how you cope with them but I've had bengals for some years now and got used to their strange and quirky ways.

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Clare
Magic (brown spotted boy born 31 March 2012)
Pearl (seal Lynx Point girl born 1 October 2015)
Bristol, UK

Trying to get Raiden to settle down for a nap is like trying to put a toddler down for a nap. Not going to happen until he is totally exhausted and can't keep his eyes open!!! He fights it tooth and nail.

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Well, at least all us bengal owners agree on this! LOL