OK people, I need someone to talk some sense into me as I am slowly convincing myself that I need another Bengal! I have two boys just over a year old, they are happy and settled but I have spotted (excuse the pun ) a little girl that is just sooooo cute from the same breeder. My hubby is partially persuaded but will not tolerate another litter box in the house (we all know Bengals and their bums ).

So the only way I could get away with another little addition is by literally drilling a hole in the wall for a catflap and then putting up higher fences in the garden. I am totally paranoid about letting my boys out though (there is currently some sick individual a few miles from us randomly shooting cats and the local RSPCA are warning people that he/she could start travelling to other locations). We live in a quiet area and have a good size garden backing onto woodland but I'd still fret about them (we're trying to figure out if we can build them a playpen somewhere - even have the wood and chicken wire - but the gardens an odd shape so it's not that straightforward...). The whole letting them out debate has been extensively discussed on this forum so I am well aware of the issues!

My other question is, how do you think that my two boys would take to an interloper in their midst? I know all cats are different, but generally is it a bad move to bring a kitten into an established household? I am sure it must happen...and do you think they'd accept a girl more readily than a boy?

Please tell me I'm insane to even consider it and I will forget all thoughts of little Mabel (yes, I've even thought of a name for her
)

Teresa

Hi Teresa

I think it might be difficult for the new kitten as your existing cats get on so well.

We were in a similiar situation we had two cats introduced a kitten (all not bengals) other two cats hated kitten with a vengence, we solved the problem by getting another kitten

As you well know kittens come best in pairs

So if you want another kitten get two

Naomi

Hi Naomi,

I definitely wouldn't get away with two new additions

Regards

Teresa

go with your heart teresa. three isnt much harder to keep than 2 you will regret it if you dont get it. lifes too short not to enjoy it and you will love your new addition. have you thought of a cat aviary to leave them out to play this way theres no chance of escape, and wil keep them safe

Hi Teresa

I have successfully introduced my cats (all bengals) one at a time and have had no major problems, most recently Kaiser, my F1 boy. My eldest boys are now one and Kaiser only just turned 4 months. I also have Nova who is 8.5 months old.

I agree with Macchiato however an outdoor enclosure is the way to go I would not risk just putting a higher fence up, far too risky by the sounds of things!!! I have such an enclosure and my bengals love it!

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www.supernova-bengals.co.uk

Hi teresa

Our cat run is attached to the house by a tunnel made from wire mesh, with a catflap the house end to control when they can go out there.



I have a cat litter out there but Oska (our Bengal) has for some reason in the last couple of weeks decided it's better to poo on the grass

Naomi

Hi Naomi,

Wow! That's a big enclosure...how much time do your cats spend in there? Do you just let them come and go as they please? I'd be worried that mine would never want to come in again (until mealtimes ). Unfortunately our garden's an odd shape (a sort of upside-down T) so I'm not sure how we could connect it to the house as there's a conservatory in the way . It's also south-facing and gets extremely hot so I'd have to make sure they had plenty of shade....pity it's so awkward really as we have woodland at the bottom of the garden but that would be a very long wire tube to get through!

Teresa x

They are allowed out there from the morning until it gets dark, they like to go out there and chase about, catch bugs , climb tree etc.

Harvey seems to spend more time out there than Oska, he likes to be pestering me for food everytime I get up.

Ours is connected to the conservatory by quite a long tunnel so anythings possible

Hello Teresa!
As I can see, you're as addict to bengals as I am! I have the same problem here, my sweetheart don't want to hear about a third bengal for a while... He loves our babies dearly though, but he fears that the newcomer will break the harmony between our two resident girls, and he said that he wants some good nights sleep even if they behave themself really well for the past few months (they are 1 year and 10 months old respectivly).

Anyway, if you succeed in making your bf willing to have another one, let me know!! There are superb litters coming from my breeder this summer... I totally understand you, and I also find beautiful names (for at least the 3 next LOL LOL LOL: Zelda (I'm a gamer), Lilith and Azrael!!).

Hope you'll have more chance than me!!

Bye,
Sysh

You lucky girl .

But a third cat in my small flat wouldn't be reasonable...

But when I'll have a house and a garden big enough for an enclosure (hopefully, in 5 years or so) and if the finances are allowing it, I'll definitly get another 3 (1 stud and 2 queens from Canada (no problems with CITES and less travel expenses apparently !) , yep, wanna try breeding... ).