Hi all, I am new to this website(unfortunately too late)

We recently lost our precious bengal (Vanillus)to the road and are devastated. We kept her in until she was 7 or 8 months but after that it was impossible to keep her in. She would scream at the windows and doors and this was even after she was spayed. She appeared so unhappy to be kept in that we eventually let her out.
She was an extremely energetic fast climbing cat and enjoyed her freedom immensely.

We would love to get another bengal as the house is not the same without one but are so nervous that the same will happen again.

How do you keep your cats happy when they are indoors all the time. Do they try to escape at every oppurtunity ( a window left open , when somebody is at the door etc).

If they've been indoors all the time and haven't been let out at all, they may not crave the great outdoors. If, however, before you picked yours up they had been let out, whether it be in a run or whatever, they would have had a taste and might have craved it later on.

I think you have two options really, either buy or build a secure area where they can get fresh air but not run off, or take them out and put a harness on with an extendable dog (cat) lead. That way they get fresh air, but can't wander too far. Or make sure your outside area, whether it's a garden or yard or whatever, is completely secure...

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Sorry to here about your loss

I'm having a cat house built directly from my window in the garden so that my cats can go out to get air via the window. See here:

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hi linda, welcome to the forum
i'm so sorry to hear you lost your vanillus
i have nothing much more to add that hasn't already been suggested.
a safe enclosure similar to kim's seems the best bet in my opinion.
they are inquisitve creatures by nature & will be interested in windows & doors, you just have to be strong & strict with yourself & not succumb to them
if you decide to try a lead & harness it needs to be a regular excursion or else they will be demanding out all the time.
i feel access to a safe enclosure so they can come & go as they please, getting fresh air & insects to chase & birds to watch, but no risk of the dangers of outdoors is the best option really.
also make sure you have lots indoors to keep them occupied, things to climb & scratch & play with & plenty of one-on-one time playing with them as they really do thrive on interaction.
i really hope it doesn't put you off getting another, as they are such wonderful companions