Hi everyone,

The better half and I are currently talking to a breeder (UK) and awaiting the next litters of kitten's. We are hoping to get two silver rosetted boys in the coming months, so we have been doing lots of window shopping, lurking and reading forums, etc.

We have not long bought our first home, from our now ex-landlady (nice easy sale & transition) so the better half wants to take advantage of our new found freedom. We both love animals, she had 3 tabbies (all siblings) that live at her mums, but misses them, and we've both had cats & dogs before as family pets, I've also had reptiles.

After doing an online "what cat personally, suits you" questionnaire, Bengals featured highly in the results, along with some other breeds, (British short hair, Russian blue, etc) but after cateful consideration, we have settled on bengals, with the possibility of adding a Bombay or two next year.

We are currently planning on doing some redecorating downstairs, before the kittens come into the home. Along with some minor furniture rearrangements. At the moment we have our hearts set on putting up some "cat shelving" which will be home made, and even making a new replacement dvd bookcase the cats can walk through. And of course a cat tree, although it's hard to find one we like, that's available in the UK.

We intend to use puzzle feeders mostly, and some kind of water fountain (or two) and I'm seriously considering a cat exercise wheel, as I work shifts and the other half works office hours.

I'm sure we will get posting and taking to some of you later, we have many silly questions, but I'm finding some good info on this forum in particular, so thanks to those who have already asked, and answered, some of those questions.

S&G

Hi there and welcome.

I'm new to Bengals too although I've had lots of cats over the years.

I'm based in the UK too. Can't wait to see photos of your boys

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Oscar and Jasper (or one ear and two ears as dh calls them) black rescue mogges

RIP my sweet baby Dexter, Snow Bengal 19/5/14 to 5/3/15 and my lovely dear old friend Muskey, Brown Burmese put to rest aged 15 on 14/11/15.

Debbie

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The little monsters 3

Cheers both, obviously we have to wait on the breeder and see what the litters bring, but as soon as we will be having pics up.

I hear what your saying about the fountain, Brian, and I do agree. However the other half can be quite stubborn, and the cats at her mum's have a fountain and it's relatively easy to dismantle and clean. I might have to put my foot down a little more and insist on a couple of chunky ceramic bowls.

The puzzle feeders, at least to us, just make sence. I'm not a fan of wet food myself, but if that's best for their diet then it's what we will feed them, my preference would be to feed them dry food though. If we end up doing dry food, then puzzle feeders will stop any binging and keep their paws and minds occupied that bit longer and reduce boredom on the days when we are both at work, it's also (as was pointed out elsewhere) a more natural way for them to eat, as oppose to just sitting at a bowl, these are, of course, hunters. I'm hoping that with things like the exercise wheel and plenty of shelves, and of course each other, they won't be too bored during the day. We do also plan to walk them, eventually, after some home training, and I love to play as much as they will.

We are always open to ideas, and value any that come along, this has been the best place for practical reading that I've come across so far.

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the upcoming new arrivals. I use a water fountain in Raiden's enclosure which is protected on three sides. I still hate having to clean it out. I'm taking it out today as the temperatures are much cooler and Raiden has a fresh bowl of water in the kitchen. You'll have such a blast shopping for cat furniture and toys. Bengals are truly a breed of their own. They will totally enthrall you daily and change your lives completely. But they are a lot of fun with their own quirks! I love Raiden to death!

Thanks Sherry.

There are a few neighbourhood "moggies" in our cul-de-sac, where we have lived the last five years, renting. Now that we own the house, it's time to get our own pets and begin our own family.

My only real disappointment is the price of cat wheels and trees, but (imo) when you take the plunge, you need to allow a sensible budget for the necessities, which we have. Plus we will save a fortune by making the shelves ourselves. Really looking forward to the ensuing mayhem and insanity!

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The little monsters 3

On the subject of water fountains - we use them for our cats (and the dogs often use them too) and we love them. I will say though that the stainless steel ones are far easier to keep sanitary than the plastic ones. I had the plastic ones for years and no matter how much you scrub them eventually you get build up on them from the minerals in the water. I got 2 stainless steel ones from Amazon earlier this year and they are SO much easier to keep clean. You can even pop the dishes into the dishwasher.

The only "problem" we have with them is that Diesel likes to put one of his mouse toys into the smaller fountain then "fish" for it. He only does it with one particular toy though so for now I've put that one up and so far he hasn't put any other toys in there.

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Dallas, TX USA
Diesel - snow Bengal born 09/01/2013 adopted Feb 2014
Tuck, Chloe, Buddy, Lewis & Tia - rescue kitties
Clyde, Bleu & Coal - Great Danes

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The little monsters 3

I'm interested to see how the ceramic does for you. That will probably be what I order for our upstairs after we move at the end of the month.

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Dallas, TX USA
Diesel - snow Bengal born 09/01/2013 adopted Feb 2014
Tuck, Chloe, Buddy, Lewis & Tia - rescue kitties
Clyde, Bleu & Coal - Great Danes

I don't really mind the water mess that our guy makes with the water bowl. I always thought a fountain would be great EXCEPT that I am worried about him chewing on the cord.

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~ Kyenta