Hello,
We have bought (but not yet received) a Bengal kitten from a local Breeder, and after reading as much as I can about Bengals I still have one question. How well do Bengals cope with being alone? I have heard opinions on both sides of the fence; that they cope fine alone and also that it's a good idea to get two.
We will both be working full time leaving out cat alone in our 3 bedroom house from 9am - 6pm so from that perspective, I wouldn't want him to get bored. On the other hand, my fiancee is mildly allergic to cats and so getting a second one might really be pushing the limits of her tolerance, in which case I would have to sell them both .
Any advice on this would be great - I'd love to hear from anyone who has a single Bengal who is left alone during the day - does he/she cope?

I can't really leave Olly alone in the house. I have to lock him in a room. He copes with it fine. He just can't be trusted. I wouldn't have a home to come home to if I let him run the house when no ones home. I let him run the house a few times, only to came back to glass, papers and everything else all over the floor. And I have no button my tv remote now.. But, then again, thats my Olly for ya... lol

Tbh, I'm surprised the breeder is allowing one of their cats to go on that basis - we were carefully vetted before being allowed to see Tiger.

Bengals are not solitary creatures and being quite intelligent will get bored easily, and bored = destructive.

Mikesch was alone for just a couple of days before I got Binky. He seemed fine with that, but he was a stray used to being by himself and the house is big so he had a lot of new territory to explore to keep himself busy while I was at work. He was really excited about having another cat in the house when Binky joined us. I would have wanted two cats in any case so they could keep each other company while I'm at work, but I think a bengal in particular is probably better off with a friend to play with while you're out.

Indy is alone Monday, Tue and Fri from 9am to 5pm (we both have half a day off Wed and Thur so often he gets company these aftenoons).

It's never been a problem. He has free run of the main bedroom and spare room, the hall stairs, and large living room. Even when we are at home he sleep all day on the bed (even better for him if you are in bed too to keep him warm).

We keep anything we wouldn't want him to have/scratch in the office and kitchen. He hasn't really got into any habits of destroying things. The only things he does scratch is loose fibres the edge of the hallway carpet (which is tatty and soon to be replaced anyway). Once sprayed with Feliway, which he hates the smell of !! he stops. The new carpets which have been fixed down properly he never bothers with.

I think sometimes the free newspaper gets a mawl but nothing drastic. He likes standing on newspapers anyway.

He is the centre of attention when we are home. He wakes up about 7pm and we bug him & play with him loads. My boyfriend describes him as nocturnal. He has loads of toys and 2 scratching posts.

I wouldn't get another cat to keep him company. He would hate it now. I think if you do that ideally it has to be as kittens.

He has been neutered at 6 months so his urine is less smelly and he hasn't (touch wood) sprayed yet. He had 2 'accidents' as a kitten when he got too far away from the litter box and got caught short.

Thanks everyone for your replies! Although, as I suspected, there are people with both opinions (looking at the Poll; more on the 'No' side - are these people with two cats who have (would) never try leaving one alone?) .
It seems like it will really be down to the cat himself and his individual personality. Any more replies/advice will still be gratefully received!

I think cat experts' general opinion is that cats tend to be solitary and need no other cats.

That being said, Bengals can get bored easily, and bored cats are destructive cats.

When it comes right down to it, each cat is an individual and you won't know till you get him or her home, which isn't very helpful I know.

We have 13 cats at the moment and I know that at least three of my cats would benefit from being in a single cat household when they retire. So not all Bengals need company.

I think one thing is that ...... Bengals Hate change.

So if you start with one and they get used to that it's difficult to integrate another.

Likewise if your home all day and then your not it is likely to cause problems.

I think Indy may be a bit more aloof at times as he gets used to been on his own. Having said that he is currently smarm central and trying to sit on my keyboard (it's feeding time soon).

hi there,
I originally bought one bengal from the breeder and was bit worried bout leaving it alone all day as i too work all day and my husband works away alot. when i came to colect my new kitten bengal the breeder had one left that she didn't sell due to other reasons not the cat i can asure! I fell in love with him instantly so decided to get him too. I didn't pick the 2nd kitten up till the following day so the first night our first bengal was all alone and it was hell!! He cried all night and i was up at 6.30am cos i felt so guilty leaving him, and as everyone knows bengals are very vocal! The second night he had company and was quiet as a mouse! All i can say is i am happy i got 2 and i would recommend that when you get the kitten/s you spend some time to bond with them so they know who you are. It really doesnt take any more hard work with two but seeing them cuddle and play together is just great!! Hope this helps.

I used to worry. But when I stay home all they do is sleep the day away. I think they're OK so long as they're used to the schedule. Katie is right cat's don't seem to like change very much. I have to wake up at 630 am to feed them everyday now. Sometimes it's hard cuz it seems like they missed me, but it's not like I have a choice, so I open the windows for them.

Kohneko has always had another cat to play with and tends to keep her occupied, but, I have learned that I can not leave and glasses around for she will tip them over regardless.

Yeah, Nalaa is left alone maybe 4 days a week for about 6 hours while everyone here is working... She tends to just sleep during thses times... make sure you play with her hardcore in the mornings before you leave so she doesnt get antsy during the day, and shes going to want to play when you get home too, so a bengal isnt the greatest idea if you're the type who likes to slump down and relax for an hour after work, all you'll get from that is a kitty who wont stop meowing at you while you're relaxing