A nervous first-timer...

laralein · **Joined:** Thu May 07, 2015 11:22 pm **Posts:** 4

Hello everyone!

The past few weeks I've been lurking on this forum, gathering tips and information, making myself feel worried sick one moment, and confident as can be the next. I finally gained the courage to start an account and leave a message for all of you out there in cyberspace because I feel like this is such a warm and inviting community. I am a first-time and very new Bengal cat owner, and - as we all do, I think - have a million questions with no clue where to begin! I just wanted to quickly introduce myself and hope that this is the start of a beautiful kitty-themed friendship....

Lara

PS. oh gosh, how could I end without leaving a picture of my little girl!? (and the partner...)

http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/laral ... sort=3&o=0

misty · **Joined:** Sat Apr 18, 2015 10:05 pm **Posts:** 148

welcome ! I am new also :razz:

beautiful kitten you have there such a cute photo

I think worry is good. A sign you know what you are getting into

Donna741 · **Joined:** Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:03 pm **Posts:** 1048

Adorable!!!

Welcome to the forum. It's a great place for advice and sharing stories.

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Hi Lara. Welcome to the forum! Your baby is just gorgeous. Congratulations!!! As a new "parent," it's natural to wonder and worry. That's what we are here for. We try to answer any questions you have about being an owner of a new bengal. I know you're going to spoil your little baby rotten -- we all do. Your baby will bring you much enjoyment.

jodonut99 · **Posted:** Sat May 09, 2015 10:26 am

WELCOME Lara and family!
You can ask as many questions as you need - Nothing is stupid, and nothing is irrelevant with a Bengal.
You have now joined the ranks of the "servant of the fur", and will need support and re-energising on a regular basis....

First thing to do is find yourself a quiet place, as you will need to go there often... You will normally be followed there, though, so be prepared with a cupboard of love n cuddles for your new controller!

Sit back and prepare for the blast that is a Bengal in full Zoomie mode. It will come when you are least expecting it!

laralein · **Joined:** Thu May 07, 2015 11:22 pm **Posts:** 4

Thank you all for such sweet replies, makes me feel very warm & supported! The first couple of days after we brought her home she was pretty shell-shocked and overwhelmed, naturally, and was docile and quiet. Now that Eva's used to the house and to us, she is in full "zoomie" mode indeed. My god. The havoc she's going to wreak when she's bigger :eek:

Any advice on how to control biting/scratching during "play time"? I know it's a natural response but I don't want her to get too used to being allowed to claw us in case she continues the habit...

http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/laral ... p.jpg.html

P.S. I keep leaving photo bucket links to pics of the little one as I'm not sure how to attach pictures to the body of my text - any tips? I tried following the how-to but it just showed up as a broken image

xx

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

To save your hands and feet from bites and scratches, use toys -- wand toys mainly. Just know that everyone gets scratched and bit by the kittens. You just need to try and redirect that to the toys. Also, they will bite when you are just petting them. Kittens are super playful, especially bengals. This is natural at this point. The bad thing is that kittens' claws are super sharp and very painful when you get snagged. I'm happy she has adjusted. They usually get dressed out being in away from their mom and siblings and into a new environment with new humans and new smells. Just enjoy your little one. She is super cute!!! You're going to need a lot of energy to keep up with this one. LOL

jodonut99 · **Posted:** Mon May 18, 2015 9:14 pm

Hi Lara,
Glad to hear Eva is settling in. You can look forward to many years of being 'under the paw' as she is already training you to her way of thinking.
Lots of different toys, put away after playtime so they remain interesting, is the way ahead. There is a great toy called a 'Kickeroo' which my boy (15 years young) still loves to beat up, and directs most of his claws / teeth attacks onto. It does contain catnip, but that shouldn't affect your baby at this young age, and you may even find she is one of the increasing number of fur babies who are immune to the scent! Balls of paper and crinkly stuff are great fun especially balls made from Ferrero Rocher wrappers....

One warning - make sure she has no access to house-plants, as they are great for making a mess, and could be poisonous if chewed. All Lillies (lilys?! looks odd...) are a no-no.

Sorry - I use imageshack or upload from my pc, so can't help with the photobucket issue. :confused2:

bkilgore · **Joined:** Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:19 pm **Posts:** 3302

Play play and more play is the key to bengal kitten happiness. Followed by food of course. When ours were tiny kittens and would bite/scratch I would make a noise to let them know ot hurt and then give them a toy to occupy their little paws. It has worked well with both of mine. Mochi is still a kitten (he is 5 motnhs) and has already stopped. It also helps too to clip their nails once a week. Good luck with your baby,she is too cute for words

laralein · **Joined:** Thu May 07, 2015 11:22 pm **Posts:** 4

Thank you all for such great advice! My partner started making noises to indicate disapproval when she would claw him during play time, and he would put her on the floor/ignore her for a couple of minutes. It's worked wonders, and we can now enjoy ages of hands-on playtime without the worry of having eyes/faces/hands clawed at (90% of the time.......). It's funny you mention something about Ferrer Rocher - I was cleaning up the kitchen the other day and a bit of balled up aluminium dropped on the ground. She had fun with that for hours.

Also, thank you for the advice about putting toys away after playtime, it didn't strike me that she would get bored of them from over-exposure. I will say though, that dabird has captured her interest unfailingly for hours every day. Best $1.95 purchase ever!

Now if I could just get her to stay off my computer so I could do some work.......

http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/laral ... ml?filters[user]=143129014&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Eva has learned fast. Don't you know you no longer get any computer time? Raiden walks all over my keyboard. Well, he walks on it and stops! Cats are attention hogs! LOL Glad you've been able to handle the clawing. Kitten's nails are super sharp! You've got yourself a real active bengal kitty, which is great. Just know it will never end, but she will bring you so much enjoyment.

spitspot · **Joined:** Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:26 pm **Posts:** 734

Me too Sherry! My laptop has turned into a catlaptop!

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Aww, I bet Oscar types fast and sends out great emails -- just like Raiden.

laralein · **Joined:** Thu May 07, 2015 11:22 pm **Posts:** 4

Oops, looks like my original image didn't post!

http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/laral ... sort=3&o=0

I use iMessage on my laptop to text, so every once in a while I get a confused friend asking me why Ive been sending them garbled messages... I guess Eva likes to be social! :razz:

spitspot · **Joined:** Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:26 pm **Posts:** 734

I like Eva's typing style! Very relaxed! It's a wonder we ever get anything done. The minute I start to read any newspaper or magazine his lordship plants his furry butt on that too :rolleyes:

A nervous first-timer...

Who is online