Hi

My experience of letting neutered cats outside (not just Bengals).
When they first go outside everything is great, they come when they are called and don't go far. They are glad to see that mum/dad is still around and are happy to see you and come in when called.

After this honeymoon period they become more adventurous, they stay away a bit longer, they don't come when they are called even when you can see them, you start hearing stories of them being seen a long way from home. They go away for hours, then overnight, then a night and a day and even a few days. My friend who has Somalis, found that they actually went away for weeks in the summer, which was very scary, so she had to get a run so she knew they were safe, This behaviour lasts for a variable period of time, from months to years, and can be quite upsetting as you wait at home. This I feel is the dangerous period - the teenage phase when they can get into trouble. They come back with 'scars', develop abscesses from cat fight scratches, torn ears etc. This, I believe is when you are most likely to lose them:-
To traffic, to getting lost, shut in to garages, finding somewhere better to stay, wildlife/fox/dog attacks, leaping into vans and not finding their way back and all the other ways that you can lose a cat.

If they survive this phase, after a while everything settles down, they know what they are doing, they sleep more, they don't go out if it is windy, raining etc. and you can basically trust them. They come back at night, every night, they have good habits that you can depend upon, and your worrying is a lot less.

Lets just hope, that your cats make it through the 'teenager' years.

Elsa

We decided after losing a cat at Christmas to a car accident to build a cat run for our two new kittens.

We currently have 5 cats (including the 2 new kittens) the 3 existing cats are moggy's and range in age from 2 to 13. They come and go as they please at the moment during the day and keep them in at night, to be honest they spend 90% of the time inside and generally only go out when we are in they Garden.

Those teenage years are hard to go through! So once the kittens have figured out the cat flap the one to outside will be in only and all the cats can go in the cat run and we will let the moggies out if they want to go out.

Most of our friends think we are a bit odd/cruel for building the run but we've made it as big as we can, it has a tree in it, grass , decking and a pebble pool it's in a nice sunny spot and there is shade aswell. So we think they should like it and we see it as a good compremise to keep them safe

Naomi

Hello There.

We have 2 Bengal cats (Brother and Sister), 7 & 8 years of age. Only had them about 3months, and worried about letting them out as well. Plato (older cat) used to got out at his old home, but this was quite a quiet area - Embers (his sister) is happy to just chill indoors.
As we live in a busier area, I'm really nervous about letting him out ( he goes out in the garden, but only on a lead, which is OK but can tell he wants more!).
I've looked online, and found a US company who sell this:

http://www.catfence.com/overview.htm

Looks like something I could do myself, but wondered if anyone here has tried something similar?

Thanks in advance for any advice

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- Dawn

http://www.nutkitty.com

Hi

I think that a harness on a Bengal is like trying to walk a border collie on a lead. You would need to be an athlete to give a BC the exercise he really needs.
A harness is however a good optionr people in flats and for those not able to make an enclosure, to give their cat some fresh air.
If you use one with a long lead then it can get tangled in plants, bushes, trees, as cats like exploring unlike dogs, although I am sure someone's dog goes up trees!!.

The cat gets used to it especially if you let him go where he wants at the start, they soon get the idea but there is a lot of rolling on the ground at first. Best not to drag him as I think this is counter productive. The harness is safe as long as it fits correctly and is in good condition.

For piece of mind in your situation I feel an enclosure is best.

Some ideas

http://www.catsofaustralia.com/cat-enclosures.htm

They have three pages and loads of links. They are in Australia, so some of the companies are unavailable here, but they give you some ideas to give to your local joiner or if you are good at DIY yourself.

HTH

Elsa

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All the Best
Elaine Lomax
www.wildside-bengals.com

_________________
- Dawn

http://www.nutkitty.com