Hi, so I am moving out into an apartment with my boyfriend and we really want to get a kitten. The bengal has been a breed I've had my eye on for a while as we really want a cat that is active and be playful, we want a pet that will play a big role in our little family and not just feature in the background!

However I'm concerned that maybe a bengal isn't suitable for 1st time cat owners living in an apartment, or that we're not suitable for them.

As experienced bengal cat owners, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. I wouldn't want to buy a bengal unless I was confident it would work out well.

Thanks,

Aidan.

Hi Aiden. Welcome to the forum. There are a lot of things to consider when getting a bengal. They are usually recommended for people who have previous experience with cats. That's not to say a first-time cat owner wouldn't love and enjoy a bengal. Bengals need some space! They are highly energetic and love to run around. You'll need room to play with the kitty as bengals love human interaction and toys. Bengals are also highly vocal. This means they cry and cry and cry -- and for no apparent reason. Your neighbors may think you are killing your kitty because you can't get the kitty to stop. That's just the bengal breed. Bengals need territory. They love to be high up, so a tall cat tree or shelves on the wall (as stepping blocks) are absolutely necessary. Bengals are strikingly beautiful, but they are very social cats. Many are not lap cats and do not want to be picked up a held. Other bengals are snuggle bugs. It will totally depend on how the cat is kept at the breeder's. Many breeders have the queen and kittens live in their home amongst their children and pets and these bengals are highly socialized. Other breeders keep the queen and kittens in a pen away from human contact, SO selecting a great breeder is the most important thing.

Bengals tend want to be where you are. You will be followed around, a bengal will sleep with you at night. Bengals are easily trained to walk on a harness and leash. Bengals are perpetual two-year-old toddlers who NEVER grow up. They get into things they shouldn't and can find that one piece of dust on the floor to play with that you missed when cleaning.They require a lot of time and energy. But, bengals are super sweet cats -- mine has never bitten or scratched me in anger (I do get scratched occasionally while we are playing and his paw gets a little too close to my skin). Many bengals love to have their bellies rubbed.

My advice to you is to read up on the bengal breed as much as you can. Find out if there are any breeders in your area and ask to come visit their facilities. Most are very happy to accommodate your request. If they have kittens, you need to plan to fall in love immediately! If you're looking for an older bengal, there are bengal rescues all over the world and there are adult bengals and retired studs and queens who need homes.

You've obviously decided a cat is right for you. If you go into bengal ownership knowing everything there is to know and are prepared for the ride, then by all means adopt one. Know that you can adopt any type of cat and things may not work out well. You've got to go in 100% positive that this is the right move for you. There will be some bumps in the road -- just as with any new cat -- but a bengal will bring you so much enjoyment.

Bengals are challenging cats imo. They are very demanding, stubborn, finicky, quirky, etc. Things that are difficult for an "ordinary" cat can be nearly impossible with a bengal, like giving them a pill or clipping their nails, or putting them somewhere they don't want to be. I think a big part of suitability is for somebody to relish in that challenge. So if you have reluctance, maybe a different cat would be wise. I'm not sure if I would have done particularly well with a bengal if I had gotten one as my first cat after graduating college for example. It's hard to say.

For what it's worth, you might consider an Oriental if you are looking for a high-personality, active, purebred cat. I can certainly vouch for them They have a lot of the fun, in-your-face sort of mischievousness, a blatant disregard for rules, and high activity level, but without being quite so demanding, athletic, and potentially destructive.

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The little monsters 3

My first cat that I owned on my own is BB and she is a bengal. On top of that I have four kids. I think if you know what you are getting into you will be fine. Bengals are NOT in any way, shape, or form like an ordinary cat. When they are kittens they WILL annoy the mess out of you! Trust me I have a kitten at the moment ;) he climbs my curtains, attacks anything that moves (including me), makes huge messes with his water and litter, and insist on being fed at 6 every morning. We can't have ceiling fans on because he will break his neck trying to "catch" them. I woke up yesterday to 12 rolls of toilet paper shredded in my living room. He rides on my shoulders like he is a parrot and lunges himself at me to get onto my shoulders. He is a MESS! But I love every second of it. I love the mischievous demanding nature of a bengal. I have been through it all with the 3 that I have had and I wouldn't have it any other way. I will never go a day without a bengal in my life!

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