I am considering adopting an F5, 5 yr old ex stud Bengal. He has been pen reared but uses a litter tray. He is a real darling and seems super friendly. My wife is not convinced and is worried that he will be destructive and spray when brought into the home environment. I should mention that he was neutered around 7 weeks ago. He is cat friendly, and apparently plays well with his own kittens. I would very much appreciate any advice and welcome the experience of anyone who has taken on an e stud, especially one with a similar age and upbringing?

My wife is also considering a British Short Haired Blue Kitten as she loves these and our old lad passed away at the age of 14 earlier this year. Do you think this will be okay with my potential new Bengal boy, or a recipe for disaster?

Many thanks
Lester

we do not have any other pets at this time, but as mentioned in my earlier post, we are considering a new kitten in the not to distant future. My garden is not secure, it was my intention, when he is settled, to let him out on a harness. The breeder informs me that he is harness trained.

Laurel

many thanks for your help. He was in an outside pen. It saddens me to admit that you are probably right. As much as I dearly would love to adopt this adorable cat, who knows what he will become when I get him home. If I were single I would be more than willing to put the effort and hours in, but I feel my wife would not be so understanding if our home was destroyed be a bored Bengal.

You are justified in you fears! This is an older cat who has been used strictly for reproducing the breed. I would hope he'd go to a home with someone who has experience with bengals. They are a challenging breed. Know that even a neutered male will spray. Mine is 8 years old, was neutered at 12 weeks and sprays outside on our walks. The fact that this kitty is trained to walk on a harness and leash is really great because walks can definitely help the boredom, but someone has to be on the other end of the leash. Raiden and I take two walks a day -- morning and late afternoon.

This is not to say this bengal would not adjust quickly to a new environment. You can expect a lot of stress and that can present behavior problems along with some health issues. My advice is if you are having any doubts, you do not choose this kitty! While any cat you adopt can have issues .... this may not be the cat for you.

I adopted Raiden 2 years ago when he was 6 and he is the sweetest, most well behaved kitty (well, he did bring a baby squirrel in the house last night). We built him a 12'x12' enclosure on our deck (hence the bringing of wildlife into the house) that he can access 24/7. He had been a free-roaming kitty with his previous owner. Time has made a huge difference in Raiden.

I've had cats in my life for over 50 years -- and a bengal is completely different! They are a social cat. They want to be with you. I don't know how socialized this little guy is, but if he's been kept in a run for his life, you may not be able to see a huge difference in him. Then again, maybe you could.

Just know that this boy is going to need a lot of observation, love, care, training and patience on your part! But that could be said of any other kitty you bring home.

My cats have had access to a large screened in patio since I adopted them at 4 months. I don't think they could ever do with out that now. If I have to keep them in even one or two days for an unavoidable reason, they are just so unhappy. They think they are being punished. They just love it outside on the patio. I think whoever adopts this adult male needs to have an outdoor enclosure for him to enjoy at least part of the day. Have you thought about building one? Several people on the forum have done this for their cats.

I actually live in a remote area of the UK with no main roads, people or even houses for miles. I was planning to let you he little feller roam free once settled into our home. This would start with walks on a leash to introduce him to the surroundings, My last cats (not Bengals) all did this with no problems.

I'm guessing there has never been a free-roaming cat in the UK who has disappeared suddenly and never returned! I need to move there if there are no snakes, other cats who pick fights, coyotes, traffic with cars who can run over cats, neighbors who hate cats and want to harm them, nothing poisonous around .....

My Raiden is a trouble maker! He has to investigate anything and everything and he wants to pick fights with other cats, so there is no way I'm going to open the door and just let him outside on his own. I'm not in favor of letting a cat roam free when there are other safe alternatives that allow them to experience the outdoors.

If this guy has been pen raised and not a free roaming cat, it could be a bit overwhelming to suddenly have no restrictions. I know my cats enjoy a feeling of security when they are on my screened in patio. All it takes is a yard worker or a pool guy to show up and they race in the house. I think curiosity is instinct driven and when faced with the great out doors, a cat can't help but explore. They have a ball until they encounter something they can't deal with and can become scared and irrational. I have never had an outdoor cat, so my experience has only been with coddled cats that live in an enclosed space.

Last week I took the recyclables out the front door and didn't close the door tightly. After taking everything out to the curb I came up the walk to the door and I see these two fuzzy kitties bumbling around in the flower bed cute as can be. I panicked a little because with two they spit up and make it hard to catch them. I went for Grace first and she allowed me to pick her up (what a relief). Then Blondie danced and twirled her way to the front door and hopped back in. They were lucky no one was walking a dog while they were out there. They would have panicked and ran.

I'm sure in the right situation having a cat live outside works fine. I guess the cat adjusts to the routine and becomes comfortable with it. I have pretty much always been a city dweller and outdoor cats are usually feral or abandoned.

I would also be careful letting boys out to roam free. Many boys are tend to be dominant which comes with expanding their territories every time they are out free.
Girls seem to be more careful and like to stay close by.
With thus particular boy who was raised in a pen during his adult life I fear he would easily get lost and won't find his way back home .