Hi everyone i have been looking in to getting a bengal cat and have being doing alot of research. Im a little unsure on if the bengal is right for me as i have read and been told different things. i thought if i come on here and speak to people who have one you will be able to help me decide. I have 2 young children aged 6 and 3. I have 2 cats a maine coon and a ragdoll. I asked my vet about the bengal she said not to get one as they are not good with kids and are for more experienced cat owners. i contacted a breeder and she has young children youngest is 2 and said the bengals are fantastic with the children and she has never had a problem. any advise please?

Personally i don't have children so i'm unable to speak from first hand experience but there are lots of owners on here who have bengals and young children. In fact quite a lot of people say young children are brilliant with bengals because they keep each other entertained as they both have so much energy

I think especially if you could get a bengal from a breeder who has young children who interact with the kittens, that would only make the transition even easier. Just make sure they are well socialized because then they will settle in easier.

My bengal is the most gentle, good tempered cat i have ever come across, you can literally carry him around like a baby. If someone were to bring kids to my house, i know i would definitely trust him around them if that's any help!

I have four children ages 7,4,4,and 20 months and our bengal is the best cat we have ever had with children! She plays with them non stop if anything I would recomend a Bengal for kids because they both have endless amounts of energy! Although I have to say that the playing is on her terms if she doesnt want to play she doesnt if your kids would get upset about that then I would worry but I am sure they would be fine espeially since they are used to having cats aroung anyway! Bengals are really good! My baby picks BB up and carries her around and she just lays there she doesnt even put up a fight to get away from him! They are truly the BEST cat IMHO if they are raised properly. I would research breeders and get a kitten from a breeder that has kids in the home, my breeder has kids that are older and her best friend has four kids that were at her house all the time and they were the same ages as my kids so BB was used to being held by kids and already knew not to scratch them! They can play with her all day and never get scratched, me on the other hand she doesnt care to use her claws when we play together! I think if you have looked into the bengal and thing the energy level and the demands of a bengal are something you can meet then go for it! Your kids will have the best playmate ever, they are just like dogs only a lot easier!

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Thanks for your replys. we where looking in to getting a dog but having young children and a dog may be a bit to much hard work thats why i started looking in to cat breeds that are more like dogs and came up with the bengal. when you say they are full of energy... are they non stop all day long! on animal planet 101 it says bengals are not good with children and need a home where they can be played with all day long. altho i want a more active cat that my 2 lazy cats i have at the moment i dont want a cat that never stops if that makes scence. also would you suggest a male or a female? my cats i have now are a neuterd male and a neutered female. thank you.

I have read males tend to be more laid back but I have a female and she is the best! I would suggest find a good breeder that has children and instead of foucusing in a gender have the breeder help you focus on a personality! I think in a home with children that would be the more important issue. Just to add in they are not wild all day long and all night long! They actually do sleep quite a bit but they have longer play periods and play harder then your average cat!

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I chose a male because in my experience in all animals they seem more bold and open. There are plenty of examples that prove that false, just my observation. Don't rely on that 101 its been awhile since I've seen it but they can get leukemia and I think they called them a quite non-verbal breed. You can train them to be quit but naturally they talk alot. I think kids would help burn energy. But you have to teach your kids how to play too. Use toys like DaBird not hands. If they see hands or body parts as toys they may attack in the middle of the nite. A Bengal is different than your other cats for sure the absolute other end of the cat scale actually closer to dog IMO.

It won't be this way with a kitten but by 1½yr my boy is up with me all day goes to sleep a few hours before me and we get up together.