The Bengal cat is a hybrid breed, born from the cross between a domestic feline and a leopard cat. Who wouldn't want something "wild" with them at home? Here's how to deal with it.
Steps
Step 1. Feed them carefully
Bengal cats eat all kinds of food, but are very careful with human foods. It doesn't hurt to give them your leftovers, just be careful what you feed them with. Try to give a Bengal cat only natural, solid or liquid food. He also doesn't feed a fat cat, so feed him in moderation. Bengal cats are prone to a condition called "arched back". It is a condition where their back twitches and spasms as an allergic reaction to food. The cat will pull its fur to try to end it. You don't want to spoil the look of this beautiful cat, do you? Normally, this problem is caused by the presence of wheat or salmon in their food. Try to eliminate these foods from your diet. If that doesn't work, take something out of his diet for a week. If you give snacks, eliminate them. If the alleged reaction doesn't stop, replenish your snacks and cut out liquid foods. Keep repeating the process, for one or two weeks at a time, until the allergic reaction disappears and the food that causes it is identified. Remove that food from your cat's diet, and switch brands.
Step 2. Provide your cat with water
You could just leave the water in a bowl, or use running water. Since these cats were born in the wild, they are used to rivers and streams. Make them feel "at home". You can get a cat drinking fountain at the nearest pet store. If you can't find it, order one online. Some people may not want to buy a cat fountain. That's okay too! Give them water in a bowl and occasionally turn on a faucet in the bathroom and let them jump on the sink to drink!
Step 3. Give your cat a covered litter box
Make sure he has his own privacy. Also be sure to get a litter box with high sides. The Bengal cat jumps up to three times its height, so don't be afraid to give them a slightly higher edge around the litter box. The height is to prevent it from peeing outside the litter box. If it takes one step to climb over the litter box, it may go to the edge, leaving you in a mess to clean up. If you are one of those weird people who can teach cats to go to the bathroom, your job is so much easier! All you need to do is occasionally flush the drain or wipe the edges of the cup. If you want to teach your cat to use the toilet, read up on how to train cats to use the toilet. Some companies have cat training kits. They might include small toilet blocks if you are training your lovely Bengal cat.
Step 4. These cute little kittens don't have naturally perfect coats
You also need to help them keep it clean. Bengal cats often love to be brushed, which will prevent skeins from forming in their fur, as well as getting rid of dead hair. These cats may fall "dead" in the sun at the earliest opportunity, but there is a wild cat in them! If you're not afraid of getting into a mess, shower or bathe your cat. To do this, be sure to go to the nearest pet store and get a suitable shampoo. Try to get a cat specific, not one that is "suitable for all animals". Shampoo made especially for cats will give their coat the brightest possible look. Make sure you take care of his entire body when you bathe or shower him. The best thing to use is a shower detached from the holder so that you can move it around his body, going directly to the necessary points, and be careful not to get anything in his eyes. Use hot but not hot water. We humans love to take nice hot showers, but such a thing could hurt a cat. Keep the water at a temperature similar to what it would have if it had been in the sun all day. To dry your cat, take a towel and pass it over the fur following its natural direction. Then, the cat will do the rest by licking its fur to dry in an hour or two. If you find yourself a weird cat who doesn't like getting wet, let him get used to the water first. This method works best when the cat is a puppy and is just getting used to things. If it's not a puppy, get him slowly accustomed to the water. For example, wet your hands and then stroke it. Be careful, you will be left with a lot of fur on your hands! But if you really like cats, you won't care. Once your cat stops trying to get away from the water, you could have him soak his paws in a glass of water, or in his bowl. Get him slowly accustomed to the water over the course of a month. After a month, it is best to let him bathe for a while, because the showers are fast and noisy. Baths aren't a "threat" to a Bengal cat at this point, as long as your cat isn't afraid of getting her paws wet.
Step 5. Playing with your kitten is always important
People play Angry Birds to entertain themselves, and a toy feather is Angry Birds for cats. Cats love anything that moves. Take a feather tied to a string, and have it move slowly across the floor. Your Bengal cat will think she is alive and will not suspect anything yet. Move it slowly, shaking it back and forth a bit, until your Bengal cat jumps. From then on, you can have your feather flutter and jump off, and your cat will likely jump as well. A laser pointer works just as well, if not better. Let your cat jump on the walls, or chase him as fast as possible. You could also throw a toy mouse. If the cat considers you its "parent", it might as well bring it back to you! Playing with your cat can provide hours of entertainment for both you and your Bengal.
Step 6. If your Bengal cat is sick, injured or just needs an annual checkup, take him to the vet
Make sure it's someone who also takes care of Bengal cats, as not all vets do. Get your cat vaccinated to give him protection and ensure a long life. If your cat is stepped on, stumbles, or is injured in any other way, take him to the vet, even if you see that he is resting more on one paw than on the other. Or if he limps, meows or blows his companions in the house. It could be a sign of something broken, swollen, or arthritis.
Step 7. Have fun with your Bengal cat
They only live 12-18 years on average, so make the most of every day with your cat.
Advice
- These cats love attention, so the more you give them the better! They also love sleeping with their "parents", so let them curl up next to you at night!
- Bengal cats like to drink from the tap, they were born in the wild and would usually drink from rivers or streams. Always turn on a tap if your cat is thirsty! Make him feel at home!
- Have your Bengal cats neutered or spayed! Unless you are a breeder or are willing to raise 50 or more cats, have them neutered or spayed.
- Having another cat helps. Bengal cats play wrestling with friends in the middle of the night, so if you don't want the cat to bother you all night, get another one. It doesn't need to be another Bengal. It can also be a stray or one you already had.
