Hi guys,

I've got my first bengal litter due in 3 weeks so getting everything together. I want to be able to differentiate between kittens so that I can follw their weight gains/loss.

What are the best ways to mark them?

I'm not comfortable with the collars around their necks for safety purposes. I was thinking about using a permanent pen to mark dots or something but wouldn't know which one is pet safe. Or maybe using nail polish on one nail of each kitten?

Your help is much appreciated.

Most breeders do use the collars. It's the easiest way. I would not mark on their fur or nails!!! The collars should not present a problem in the beginning and as the kittens develop, you will probably be able to tell them apart! The rosetting or marbling will be different on each of them.

I've heard of people using pet safe/a child's marker. But wouldn't know where to find it and I'd have to mark them daily. Might just go with the velcro or paper collars.

Thanks

You will find if you look carefully at the size and the patterns of the spots it is fairly easy to differentiate them. NO two kittens are identical. The size of the individual kittens will vary too, which also helps to identify them.
I used to give them silly names too to help me remember. Big boy, Little girl, Large rosette, Small spot, etc.
I just was not keen on putting anything around their necks in case they strangled themselves, as they can get themselves into all sorts of bother when you are not looking.

Weigh every day.

Thanks for your comments

Hopefully, you won't have a lot of kittens to worry about. I'd only use the collars up until the time they start being able to move around. By that time, you should be able to tell who is who! Elaine is right ... observe closely and you'll see the differences. No two bengals look alike.

I use the coloured paper collars. My vet gave me a huge pile of them when i enquired where they got them.

Starbaby, I tried to access your website and it says the domain name has expired. I love looking at bengal cats and would love to see all of yours.

It would definitely be easier to tell the difference between 3 kittens than 7, that's for sure. You only have a couple of weeks until the births. I'm hoping your kitty has an easy time of it and the kittens are born healthy. It will take you a few days to sort the kittens since they'll pretty much be nursing and sleeping all the time. Keep us informed on how things go.

Here are some pics of Luna at nearly 7 weeks.
I'm getting so excited now, babies have started kicking and she's loving me rubbing her belly.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/134941092@N08/W4r9d3

https://www.flickr.com/gp/134941092@N08/S717gz

https://www.flickr.com/gp/134941092@N08/h63d06

Aww, what a cute mommy-to-be. Looks like she's just resting away! I saw a picture on the bengal Facebook page with 7 kittens and they all had on different colored collars. Thought of you when I saw that!

Let us know when she has the babies and how many.

Hope you will check back with us and let us know how mommy and the kittens are doing and how many she had and what you are doing to tell them apart.