Hi guys,

So I've finally decided I'm ready to get a Bengal. I'm steering towards getting two so they can keep each other company.

Just wondering if you think I would have any problems with aggression, dominance, spraying etc if I ended up getting two male kittens that were not related, or if it would be a better idea to get a male and female?

We were set on getting two boys since it is a bachelor pad and we prefer the larger size of the males.

Thanks guys

I went for a boy and a girl - brother and sister. I'm not so sure in retrospect how big a part gender plays if they are neutered early like they should be.

If you are getting two, however, I would suggest you get them from the same litter and ask the breeder to help you select 2 kittens who get on well together. That won't guarantee that they will always get on, but it might well help.

I got 2 boys and even now I regularly think how glad I am that I did. My 2 came from different litters, but I got the breeder to introduce them a couple of weeks before they came to me, which made things easier.....she said she had a good few days of hissing and spitting when they first laid eyes on each other though!

I got 2 males but from the same litter at 12 weeks old. They are now 3 years old and at times they do fight but they also wrestle, play, chase each other, sleep together, etc. They have way more good times than bad. I don't know if it is better to get a male and a female.

I do recommend that you get them from the same litter but it is not required. Doing so will help them acclimate to your home since they will have each other for comfort. The first day with mine was filled with one calling to the other whenever they got separated while exploring :)

I agree litter mates would be best. They arrive with familiar smells! I honestly don't know that the gender matters. There are some BIG bengal girls and some small bengal boys!!! It just depends!!! Tabitha (Clare) has not weighed in and she has two bengal brothers -- they are different as night and day! And she's had some issues with their not getting along. You are just rolling the dice.

You'll need to find a GREAT breeder who can answer your questions and alleviate any concerns you may have on whether to get two males, two females, one of each, same litter, separate litter!!!

Thanks for the replies guys,

The cats will be kept in my two bedroom apartment.

I am currently in discussions with a breeder and will be going tonight to check out the kittens. She has two litters, from the same father but different mother and only recently started mixing the litter together. So I don't think even from the different litter, they will be familiarized with each other.

I have never kept two cats before and have been warned about two males dominating one another, fighting, spraying etc. But they will be both desexed. The only reason I like the boys is because they are bigger, and I was told they are slightly more affectionate and outgoing?

The breeder said if it was her personally, she would get a female and male, just to be on the safe side. Other breeders have also told me they keep two entire males together without dramas and that it depends on temperament.

Thanks for the advice guys.

Apologies for being late to the party!

Yes I have two Bengal brothers from the same litter and I started to have issues with them from the age of 2, although I believe things are under control now. Up until the age of 2, all was well, but at age 2, cats become socially mature and there can be a 'bump in the road'... Before that date, they were incredibly close, slept and played together etc, and even though I'd heard there can be issues with two males, I didn't think it would happen with my boys.

Just keep a very close eye on things as they get older, I feel I must have missed signs that had probably been rumbling away, but it can be very subtle, just an eye movement can be a sign of aggression and unfortunately us humans don't speak cat! Be prepared to ask for help from a behaviourist if you need to and try to find one with experience with bengals.

I honestly thought 6 months ago that I would need to rehome one as Jagger was bullying Hendrix mercilessly and Hendrix was a very unhappy cat and it was horrible. But with help from a cat behaviourist who has bengals of her own, I now have two boys who on the whole get on really well again. Yes, there's the odd squabble, and I am always quick to stop anything like that so it doesn't get out of hand.

So if you do get problems it is fixable. I personally wouldn't get two males again, much as I love them both dearly as it has been and no doubt will continue to be, hard work! But they are both incredibly affectionate and although litter buddies, as Sherry said, they have completely different personalities.

Good luck!

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

Your breeder has the experience in raising these kittens -- I'd probably go with their advice -- male/female. Males are very territorial and will be vying for the same space. However, this is YOUR decision and you need to get the kitties that YOU want. There will be challenges either way -- bengals are so different from any other cat breed. You've got to read up on all of their antics, demands, etc.