Hey everyone! So this forum has helped me in the past when I first brought my SLP bengal boy home and once again i'm in need of your help! Its been about a year since my little one came home with me and I've decided that he needs a friend. When he was about 5 months old, I tried to introduce another kitten to the household (she was a rescue) but it didn't go over so well as she was just too frail and small to tolerate my boy. After much discretion, she went back to the shelter and my baby got sick. Not sure if it was due to the stress of another cat being in the house or something he caught from her. Anyway, he's a little over a year old and I feel like he might be happier with another cat to play with since I often work 12 hour shifts. I've noticed he's been extremely vocal lately, i'm assuming as a measure to gain my attention. If it was up to him, we'd play 24/7 and while he definitely gets a fair share of my attention, unfortunately I just can't spend as much time playing as he would like. I'd like to get another bengal since they'll be able to match his playfulness and energy level. I'm mainly concerned about whether to get a male or female companion. Which would yield the smoothest transition?

I'm sorry your last try and introducing a new kitten to your bengal did not go well. Sometimes it just doesn't! Other times, they take to each other right away. You have a male bengal and male bengals are highly territorial! They don't always want another cat in their "space." You'll need to make sure each cat has their own space to call their own. Multiple cat trees, beds, multiple litter boxes, tons of toys. Are you thinking about a kitten (who will be much smaller than your male) or an older bengal. I don't know that it matters whether the new kitty is a female or male. Both will spray for territory (even if they are neutered).

You may think your bengal is bored when he isn't! Mine was home all day while I worked and pretty much slept the day away or was outside in his cat enclosure. I know they say bengals do not like to be left alone for long periods of time and your boy is still young. What you need to do is introduce the cats properly. The new arrival needs to have a safe room. Swap out scents for a few days. When bringing the new kitty out, feed them together in the same general area -- maybe opposite sides of your kitchen. Play with both cats together so their focus is on the toys and not each other. Supervise their time together until you are certain there will be no aggressive fighting between them.

The personalities of the cats will determine whether they get along, not so much whether it's a male or female. I do believe if I were to get a friend for Raiden, I'd go the female route, simply because he hates male cats and tries to rip them apart.

I work 12 hour shifts but am never away from home less than 14 hours on a workday. We have one cat and a dog that stays outside when we are gone.

I have considered getting another Bengal cat but realize that this is purely a selfish thought on my part. Quasar is a great cat. I have heard so many horror stories of cat introductions gone bad that I have decided not to take the risk that it would not work out for us. I see no need to put Q through the stress.

If you want another kitty, that's great, but don't assume your cat needs a buddy. Consider that another introduction may go swimmingly or may end up in heartbreak, like the last one. The older your cat gets, the harder a new introduction could be.

Good luck in the decision you make.

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~ Kyenta

I think that in the short term, it shouldn't matter whether you choose male or female. Or bengal or moggy for that matter imo. It's really all about your adult cat's willingness to accept a new kitten, and your diligence in handling the introduction. So it's concerning that the last time you did this it resulted in a rehoming. That is not a good sign. Why do you believe this time would yield a different result?

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The little monsters 3