do bengals really hate all other cats?

chrissie · **Posted:** Fri May 27, 2011 3:36 pm

The shelter where I got Khan from has another bengal to rehome, and they've described him as a typical bengal who hates all other cats and needs to be rehomed in a rural situation where there are no immediate neighbourhood cats, but who is really loving and affectionate to people. That's what they said about Khan - can understand the rural location bit, but I really haven't found that he "hates all other cats". Yes he likes to boss some of the other cats around here, but he runs up to greet them and "hangs" with his particular mates. And yes, he really is loving and affectionate!

Don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely not knocking this shelter because they do a great job. But it seems a shame that bengals have this reputation. My late burmese, on the other hand, really DID hate all other cats - even his beloved housemate here came in for a bashing now and again! Because Khan is my first bengal, maybe I don't know enough about bengals as a breed to comment. What does everyone else think?

Lacemoat · **Posted:** Fri May 27, 2011 3:57 pm

My persian hated all other cats, dogs you name it - my bengals love other cats and dogs.....so I guess thats answered that for me :wink:

junglerose · **Posted:** Fri May 27, 2011 3:58 pm

I think that some do hate other cats and some do end up in rescue because of it.
That may therefore bias a rescue's opinion of Bengals.
Not all Bengals IME hate other cats, but quite a few adults have quite fiesty relationships with other cats and whilst most will tolerate those they know, they are not that averse to letting other strange cats know that they mean business.

With the image of being "wild cats" that Bengals seem to have and which is not particularly denied by some breeders and owners either, then the fighting that will go on whenever adult cats get into each others territories, suddenly seems more worrying when a "wild cat" is involved.
A fighting moggie in a district will have a reputation of being a nuisance and a "nasty" cat, a fighting Bengal will be a "killer" and instil terror in those that are unfamiliar with the breed.

miki129 · **Posted:** Fri May 27, 2011 4:00 pm

my bengals love dogs and cats, my cousin stayed for a week with her siamese, there was no point in separating them as they all got on straight away, cept for darcy my female but she didnt attack the other cat just ignored him xx

Taylorbaby · **Posted:** Fri May 27, 2011 4:22 pm

All my bengals have

well, apart from the F5, she LOVED other cats, had to be near them at all times

brianj12 · **Posted:** Fri May 27, 2011 5:28 pm

Linn · **Posted:** Fri May 27, 2011 10:38 pm

Our bengal loooves other cats so much they end up hating her! Our moggie is smothered with affection 24/7.

One could argue that bengals are a bit over the top in everything they do, so in the cases where they do resent other cats they'll certainly make it known - and get a reputation for it. :roll:

chrissie · **Posted:** Sat May 28, 2011 12:50 am

Thanks everyone for the info - I suppose I felt that anyone wanting to rehome this bengal might be concerned if they thought he really wouldn't tolerate any other nearby cats as I was with Khan, which then proved not to be the case. Or perhaps the shelter does know something about his background which prompted that description. As Brian says it might be that because he's within close proximity of other cats there he might be aggressive - they all do have their own runs but he's obviously a very dominant cat!

Khan interacted very well with us when we first saw him at the centre and in spite of a few anxieties based on the information we were given about him, we felt that he would settle down well when he got used to his new home, which he did and we all love him to bits. I just hope the other cat finds a loving home too.

DianeM · **Posted:** Sat May 28, 2011 8:09 pm

My rescue mog who was here first loves and washes my bengalsand i have 5 bengies xx

LovemyDiego · **Posted:** Tue May 31, 2011 10:55 am

I was given the same statement when I was looking for a cattery for Diego.

My opinion is that surely ALL cats hate other cats when they are not used to living with others. Aren't cats naturally territorial and therefore will defend themselves against strange cats?

Also the misconception alot of the catteries I went to see was that my bengal would be wild and vicious.
Needless to say I haven't used any of them and went with the cattery that told me they thought that Bengals were soooo cute!! (am picking him up in a bit so will see how he got on on his first holiday!)

chrissie · **Posted:** Tue May 31, 2011 2:54 pm

dawn f · **Joined:** Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:47 pm **Posts:** 537

brianj12 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 03, 2011 3:13 pm

chrissie · **Posted:** Sat Jun 04, 2011 7:20 pm

They have all separate runs in the shelter where I got Khan, though there is an area where they can be let out together. I did notice that Khan was the only cat out in this area when I first saw him!
But I can appreciate that they want to make prospective owners aware of any problems that might arise. We were "interviewed" fairly thoroughly (and it did help that one of the re-homing staff lives very near me and knows that I've had cats over many years).

Can't believe I've had him for a year now, the time has gone so fast.

Maistaff · **Posted:** Sat Jun 04, 2011 7:27 pm

We have recently intriduced a 14 mth old girl to our NFC's. It has been a week and to date no fighting or issues.

Our NFC's have gone to say hello many times but Keisha just growls so the other cats give her a wide berth. Thankfully our csts are very chilled and are happy to let Keisha find her feet.

I am preying she gets on withour cats in time but if she doesn't its not the end of the world as she will have a home here for life regardless

do bengals really hate all other cats?

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