As you'll see from my post in the Gallery, I have been planning to adopt two bengal girls, a 13 month old brown spotted and a 10 month old seal lynx spotted. They hadn't been introduced to each other, but the breeder assured me they were both nice, friendly girls and she was sure they'd get along in no time. (She will introduce them for me before I take them.)

But I got an email from her last night saying "in case the girls don't get on, here are some other options", and when I asked her if there was any reason she was concerned about them getting on, she said that the 13mth old has been a bit bossy lately. She's getting desexed on Tuesday, and just wanted to know from your experience, is that likely to calm her down?

My other options were a 6 mth old brown marbled boy or a 6mth old brown spotted boy. My husband definitely wants spotted cats (well, he'd really rather not have cats, but I've told him that's not really an option), but the spotted boy has had an unknown allergy recently. He pulled out some of his fur, and had Panalog, an antibiotic cream for it. The fur is growing back now. He will cost me an extra $200AUD more than if the brown spotted girl got on with my snow spotted girl too (the breeder won't negotiate on price).

So.
- is desexing the 13mth old girl likely to make her get on better with other cats?
- would you pay to get a cat with an unknown allergy?
What should I do??

Hi,

I'm no expert but I think 13 months is leaving it a little late to neuter a female - normally they would be done around 6 months - so perhaps she's hormonal!

I definitely wouldn't buy a kitten with an undiagnosed health problem - you don't know what will happen in the future and could be facing big vet's bills.

I think I'd wait to see how the girl is after her operation and then decide. Don't feel under any obligation to take the kittens from the breeder if you're not 100% happy.

Hope it goes well and keep us up to date!

Best wishes

Teresa

Thanks Teresa
Both the girls are retiring breeders, which is why they haven't been desexed earlier (not sure if they've actually had any litters though, or whether that makes a difference...)
Emma

Hi Emma,

Don't get the kitten with the fur problem! You could be setting yourself up for long term health problems which insurance may not cover because of its presence before the insurance has been taken out. Not to mention the heartache it would cause.

I didn't realise that these 'ex breeders' were as young as they are (which is why I advised having just one on another thread - imagining them to be cranky old women!). Spaying a cat will certainly change her hormonally, but I haven't had first hand experience of a spayed Bengal, so can't advise you for certain.

I'm a bit puzzled about why a breeder would be selling the animals so young. Has she indicated why? She may have really good reasons but there could also be something hidden. I've bought queens around eight months old who had been sexually mature for some months - my breeder was up front about them and told me that they had already started showing signs of spraying. Perhaps a more experienced breeder could advise about whether spraying stops once an animal has been spayed. I have heard from one breeder that once a cat starts spraying it does it out of habit, whether it's in season or not.

Do you absolutely have to have these cats? Are there any other breeders nearby? How confident are you with the breeder?

Nicola

The owner is retiring from breeding. I was quite happy with my interaction with her, and I'd spoken to someone who had adopted another of their queens, who was very happy with their experience.

But over the last couple of days I feel like she's a short with me over email. I have only been asking legitimate questions about the cats, their temperaments and routine, etc but she keeps saying "I'll send x tomorrow" then doesn't. I asked if I could come and meet the cats (no small commitment from me - it's an 18 hour return trip! But I think it's best to meet a new pet first if possible) and she replied that she was busy over the weekend and "If you have any doubts about the cats perhaps you should think about just taking one" - which just surprised me a bit...

I am talking to other breeders too, but I'd rather get adult cats than kittens - I just don't think I'll have enough time to train a kitten properly.

Hi, me again.

No breeder should be reluctant for you to come and meet her cats, especially knowing you'd be travelling so far! It is ringing alarm bells with me now, and much as part of me would want her cats to have good homes in the future, taking on a Bengal (or indeed any animal) is a commitment and you don't want to make a mistake. If you have contact with other breeders, I'd think about seeing what they have available too. I would never consider taking on a cat I'd never met.

I had my boys from kittens and I have to say (as an inexperienced cat owner terrified of some of the tales of Bengal antics!) that they've been a dream! Yes, they're naughty (even now at 15 months old - I can hear them causing mayhem as I type) - but basically they are very intelligent and want to be with their humans all the time. I've never had an issue with litter training and I will admit they've broken a few things, but I think any cat would be as likely to have accidents.

I wouldn't worry too much about the kitten thing - certainly don't discount it as a possibility. I have no experience at all with bringing an adult cat into a new home so perhaps other members can step in here with some advice?



Best wishes

Teresa

Update:
I have found a place with two 14 week old brown spotted male kittens that they'll give me for the price of one (again, retiring from breeding). It's still too far away to visit though.
What are 14 week old kittens like? Will they get too lonely when I'm at work during the day? Or will they destroy my house?
Thanks!

Edit: A lot can happen while all you northern hemisphere people are still in bed asleep! I have been emailing back and forth with the breeder all day, and I'll have two little kittens arriving on TUESDAY! I have a big shopping list of things to get tomorrow, not to mention picking out names for them!