[color=#FF00BF]Hello,
We picked our first Bengal kitten and he will be coming home at the end of the year. We are considering to get 2 kittens after reading many positive articles and posts about it however we have an 8 years old Rhodesian Ridgeback who can be very playful with other dogs but super calm and lazy at home and we cant stop wondering if he can be the playmate for the new kitten. Becoming the owner of three pets from one pet is a bit overwhelming. We are going back and forth about waiting on the second kitten in a year versus now. Any thoughts or any experiences? Thank you very much! [/color]

Welcome to the forum! Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to your question. Dogs and bengals can get along. Are two bengals better than one? If they are both brought home as kittens (siblings are best), they almost always do okay with each other. Know that going to a new environment and being taken from their mom and siblings can be a bit stressful for kittens. As for your dog, he will appear as a giant to the kitties. Many dogs find kittens to be toys and will want to play with them -- the kitties, if they aren't familiar with dogs, may become timid and scared. You want your kitties to be confident and outgoing.

No one can say what will happen with one bengal and a dog or two bengals and a dog. Things can go swimmingly well or you may be pulling your hair out over all the activity and action that is going on. I think it's wonderful when one loves animals so much and want to open their hearts and home to a variety of pets. Know that ALL the pets need attention and play time. And three versus two versus one is a big deal. Bengals in particular are attention seekers and are quite demanding cats. You need to prepare yourself for a huge change in your household regardless of getting one bengal or two. Two bengals can become best buddies even with the dog, but patience and time may be required.

Thank you very much for your answer. There are advantages of getting two kittens from the same litter but I think we are leaning towards waiting a little bit for the second one.

If you won't / can't get two kittens from the same litter than you are likely better off waiting. There is a lot of stress introducing a kitten to a new environment and having two at the same time is likely too much work.

With regards to getting two kittens overall - it really depends on how much time you will be at home and be able to play with them. If you are away a lot a single Bengal can get bored, curious and destructive! It does depend on the individual cat though.

Personally we are home most of the day and spend a lot of time with ours; however, when we have to separate our Bengals (like when Xena goes into heat as she is right now and we don't want to breed her) then both of our cats are definitely less happy. For them there is nothing like a good play session with another cat - people and dogs just don't compare.

In case it wasn't obvious, ours are not from the same litter and it took a few weeks before they were really comfortable with each other.

I hate to say it, but personally I would be terrified introducing any cats into a house with a Ridgeback. I have a friend who has two Ridgebacks and I'm not a dog person, but I'd characterize them as very aggressive and somewhat ill tempered dogs. I hope yours aren't like that, otherwise I would hate to be the cat that had to live with a dog like that!

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The little monsters 3

I am very surprise to hear about your friend's Ridgeback. My boy is the best dog ever and we have never had any issues, in fact I have never met a mean Ridgeback:)

I didn't even pick up on that. I've heard that ridgebacks can be great or poor depending on all sorts of factors.

I would be especially careful introducing the two of them together. From what I've heard they can instinctively chase a cat who bolts (especially if they aren't friends yet).

One of my neighbors has a ridgeback, but he keeps him on a short leash when walking him. He has a bad reputation in the neighborhood and has bitten people. They also have 3 cats that live outside so the dog must tolerate them, but I keep my distance. The owners always make the dog sit and hold the leash tight if someone comes by as they walk him. I guess I am more of a cat person.