I am an experience cat owner of more than 20 years. However this is my first time as a bengal mum.....

I have a new kitten, we have had her for a month now and she's a 4 month old bengal, she is the only cat in the household.

She is more than happy to use her litter tray for a pee numerous times a day but pooping is something of a nightmare.

This is mainly a night time problem and doesn't appear to be an issue during the day. She holds it in as long as he possibly can and gets herself all wound up, running around the house like a crazy creature sometimes hours at a time, tail all bushy and frantic. I have tried everything to calm her down, dark room, soothing music, holding, cuddling you name it I've tried everything I can think of to calm the little thing down.

Once she finally gives in and goes everything is as you would expect, right consistency and not too smelly just normal.

She's eating a mixed diet of Arden Grange dry food and Royal Canin Instinctive Kitten Food, eating is not a problem and she's drinking albeit mainly from a tap but also from a glass daily.

Once she has gone she is like a completely different animal all cuddly and cute. I have no idea why she doesn't like pooing but it is making our family life a misery....any advice would be massively appreciated. Thank you!

I have one that does this as well, goes bonkers before a poo, tearing around the house etc. I know a few others on here have Bengals that also do this too.

I think it is a Bengal thing! If everything is fine with the poo I wouldn't overly worry! I don't think it is necessarily a case that the pooing is causing any discomfort, it's just how they are. Just let her get on with it as I doubt she will change this habit. Bengals have some very odd traits lol

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Clare
Hendrix and Jagger, Brown Marble Boys (born 18 August 2013)
Hampshire, UK

I think you are making some odd assumptions about cause and effect. Here are my observations:

* The "crazy" behavior you describe is very normal for a 4 month old bengal kitten, and has nothing to do with "holding it in" or "having to go". "Play hard, then crash hard" is a perfectly normal pattern, which is what you are describing. And the really hard play is probably the defining characteristic of bengal cats.

* "Trying to calm her down" is pointless, because a bengal that age has a really strong need to play hard like that. And to be happy, she is going to have to spend a certain amount of time, every day, getting that exercise and stimulating play. You have to recognize, and acknowledge that need. You got yourself a bengal! And as you yourself have noted, once they satisfy that need, then you get the cuddily, purry, satisfied kitty... at least until they are ready to do it again! Instead of "trying to calm her down", you need to do the opposite. By encouraging, and participating in her play, particularly at a time that is convenient for you (say, right before you are ready to turn in for bed), you are setting her clock. She plays hard, then poos, then is ready to sleep (right when you are ready to sleep...perfection!). It's really really common for bengal owners to play hard with their cats, right before their (the human's) bedtime for this reason.

* Another positive about encouraging and being an active participant in her play, is that you get to channel it into something more positive. Left to their own devices, bengals will invent their own games, which can be pretty tough on your house and belongings. If you participate in your bengal's play, you teach her funner, more appropriate games.

* Regarding the pooing: cats are often very ritualistic about when they poo. Some will decide that the best time to poo is right before bedtime, or right before dinnertime, or right when they wake up, etc. It sounds like yours is a pre-bedtime poo-er, which is perfectly fine. I don't think it has anything to do with the playtime right before it though. And it's definitely not a "poo poo dance" that she is doing because she has to go. Those things are unrelated. It sounds like she actually has excellent litterbox habits, which you should be very grateful for.

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The little monsters 3

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your baby. I have a 9-year old bengal and before he goes poop, he gets the zoomies and is running all over the house, jumping up on the cat tree, jumping down, running all over the furniture. He finally heads to the litter box, goes, and he's back to normal. I have no idea why he does this, but it appears to be NORMAL behavior, so you will just have to get used to it! Mine poops once a day and that's it. A kitten may have to go more than once. I've had cats for 50+ years and nothing, NOTHING, prepared me for a bengal! They are a wild breed, that's for sure. You also have a kitten and bengal kittens are especially energetic. This is something you will have to get used to and adjust because there is no shushing or calming down a bengal. Note, my bengal poops during the day .... LOL

Oscar goes bananas for about ten minutes before a poo too!

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Melissa

UK
Oscar - Rescue (Rascal!!!) Bengal

Both of mine do this, they go crazy before and after a poop, Pearl holds it as long as she can, I think as she's a kitten she's frightened of missing something if she stops for a poop.

Magic also shouts alot before he decides to have a poop, I think it's a poop song.

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Clare
Magic (brown spotted boy born 31 March 2012)
Pearl (seal Lynx Point girl born 1 October 2015)
Bristol, UK

LOL! So much fun around Poo Time...

Merlin will come to bed and then go bonkers with a session of the killer Zoomies over, under, through the bed (me in it!) and finally charge like a lunatic down the stairs and begin digging in his litter box to Australia. A minute or so later, he reappears very satisfied, with a green cloud following him.... Needless to say I have two choices - Get up and surrender the warm spot, or be gassed in my sleep. Merlin does allow me back in but only once he's completely snuggled down.

Thank you so much everyone for your lovely comments.

I feel so much better knowing this is "normal" behaviour lol.
I was so worried we were doing something to stress out our baby "Storm" (perfect name by the way).

It's really lovely to know you are all here for backup and moral support.

We are in the middle of building her an outide "catio" so she can be nice and safe outside. If anyone has any suggestions for toys or things we need to build inside it to enhance her life that would be brilliant. She's currently got Astro turf and a raised house with a large deck in front to lie in the sun or shade. And a huge scratch post with a platform to sit on and watch the birdies in the tree.

Thanks again!
Bee x

Lucky kitty! You'll have to post some photos of Storm enjoying the catio.