Hello everyone, need some expert advice...

My partner and I could potentially be going our separate ways. We currently have a male year old bengal and year old male tabby. They both mean the world to us and we've argued on who would take the boys. Would it be cruel to split them up?

Second question, if I did take the bengal with me I would have to leave him home alone for a minimum of ten hours. How do you think he would cope? Would introducing a friend this late in his life be a good or bad idea? Any advice or similar situations would be great, very stressed at the moment.

Thanks guys.

I am so sorry about your situation. If you could take the cats, I suggest you do take them. That way, leaving them alone for 10 hours a day, they would have each other to play with. Raiden is home alone about 9 hours a day. I can watch him via a camera in his enclosure and sometimes I think he looks so sad and lonely, but he gets plenty of attention when I am home. I think your kitties would be fine for that long. They do sleep during that time.

10 hours alone, day after day, for a young, single bengal, yea, that would be tough imo. That may very well be problematic. I don't think you should do that.

As far as the breakup arrangement, it depends on the personalities involved. How closely the cats are bonded to each of you, and to each other.

Assuming everyone is equally friendly with everyone, I think an arrangement that gives one of you the two cats, and the other gets money to get new kittens might be the most amicable for everyone. That's my thought anyway.

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The little monsters 3

Well, the cats may be losing one human also, so there's that piece especially if the cats have bonded to one human more than the other. The cat bond is something to consider; obviously if they can stay together they can keep each other company while you are out of the home. It also depends on the temperament of the cat (bengal and DSH). Some bengals are mellower than others, and some DHS' are high-strung and need more attention than what's typical. If you absolutely have to leave your kitties home alone, try to offer 'entertainment' to keep them occupied. Hope it ALL works out for you.

The bengal is quite a handful, mister Ralph gets into everything and gets bored Fairly quickly. If I were able to take the bengal with me I would get him a new bengal buddy ASAP. That is if my partner would let me take him with me. I would feel horrible splitting them up but we have such an incredible bond with each other that I would not be able to let that go. A new kitty would never replace Ralph, I couldn't do that.

If I were to get him a buddy i would hope he would accept his new friend into our lives. Tough decisions to make! Thanks again for your support.

Tyler & Ralph!

I personally would rather suffer not taking 'my' cat than splitting them up. When I moved out of home years ago, I left my girl with her sister as she was my Dad's cat, but retained visitation rights... I eventually got another cat - Merlin - and was able to visit Cleo whenever I wanted, until she passed away. She remained stoically 'my' cat choosing to play and follow me around whenever I visited, rather than purr for the hand that fed her....

If you can agree for one of you to take both kitties together, it will be better for them in the long run. The other could, as already said, get a 'settlement' to buy another kitty (or two!) Who decided to get a Bengal originally? To me they are the logical guardian, with the other being able to get a moggie or other breed - even a dog - whatever suits their lifestyle!

I breed Tonkinese and one of my kittens went to a home with a Bengal (they were on this forum). They eventually became best of friends. After a couple of years the owners split up and as they both worked such long hours they made the painful decision to rehome them. They went to a home together and are absolutely fine.

Myself and the two owners who split up get email updates as to how they both are doing.

Sometimes you have to do what us right for the cats and not what you want.

10 hours is a long time every day.

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Lollo

If I was able to take the bengal I would get him another bengal buddy ASAP. I've read a lot of stuff online about splitting cats up, so say yes some say no.

How easily would a 2 yr old male bengal accept a new bengal kitten into his life?

The cats now have a bond but it's mostly the bengal who instigates everything, grooming, playing etc. the cats have very different energy levels.

My Bengal, 3 years later, still hates the teo Tonks that were added when he was 2.5 yrs. he also gates any kittens born, more is scared stiff of them! We have issues with him.

Some bengals will adapt fine, some will not.... You take the risk to be honest. You have to weigh up the benefits to the cats of splitting them up as well.... Should always act in the best interests of the cat.


I think to leave any number of cats for a minimum of 10 hours a day for work is too much really. Bengals, as well as other breeds love company of the human kind.

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Lollo

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The little monsters 3