Hi I'm after some advice and some information on others experiences when buying retired breeders. We really love the bengal but my husband doesn't like the crazy kitten stage so we were thinking an adult would be more suitable. Do they fit in ok when moving to a new family? Are they easy enough to train to change some behaviors? And how old would be too old? Thanks in advance for any info you can give me!

I really wouldn't if you have other animals but that's due to a bad experience and an anxiety disorder so maybe you would be okay. Adult animals are usually set in their ways so if they have aggression problems or something it can take a very long time to rectify. It's a responsibility that is very difficult to take on. We got a cat with aggression issues that hates other animals. It's been rough to say the least and I wish we had gotten another kitten like first intended.

Also make sure the cat is spayed unless you want countless sleepless nights because it calls constantly. I was woken up 8-9 times last night due to the cat meowing. It's not their fault as they don't understand but it does cause issues with how you perform that day (I'm in law school so this is very bad for me, if you work in a low stress environment it could be manageable.)

The cat we got was 3. Not all cats are the same but I do suggest you research their history, ask A LOT of questions and get rid of the hormones with a spay. Keep in mind you don't know how this cat has been treated and how many homes it's had. It could have trust issues and such. Get a full health check on the cat before taking it home too as underlying issues could cause problems with behaviour.

I have only gotten retired girls, I have never dealt with the joys/insanity of Bengal kittenhood. The girls I have gotten have been wonderful. They take a bit longer to trust you but they have the Bengal attitude and are totally trainable. I taught mine to play fetch.

Assuming you are dealing with a good breeder, the cat will have been well taken care of and loved. I don't know about age really. My first Bengal was about 7 and my current one is 3.

Thanks for that! Yes I have a list of questions to ask, quite a few actually. We would definitely make sure it was desexed which seems to go without saying when buying from breeders. And I'm sure responsible breeders would make sure they are going to a suitable home. I guess it's just one of those things, I think it would make it easier to visit the cat too and see what they are like too.

I've got a retired male breeder and he's been wonderful. He's never sprayed and I didn't have too many issues integrating him with my existing female. He was 3 when I got him and she was 4 years old.

It took him a little while to come out of his shell, he spent a couple of weeks in his safe room (my spare room). Realistically I'd say it was almost a full year for him to be the way he is now. He's a complete love bug, always following me about like a shadow. He doesn't like being picked up, but he's always by my side. At night he sleeps under the covers or wedged in next to me.

I've never had any issues with inappropriate toileting with him. He is highly territorial and I have no doubt that if he was to come across another cat he would try to kill it. He's good with my girl, but he was in HER territory. I have been able to successfully harness train him and that is his outside time.

BKilgore also has a retired male stud, so I'm sure she'll come and give you info too. Feel free to ask more questions.

Thank you for that, very helpful! My main concern would probably be how they get along with kids and other pets. We have two children under 3 and a small/medium dog (he grew up with our previous 'moggy' so is fine with cats ), but I guess that would depend on the home it comes from as to whether or not they would cope with these factors.

Miss Fenstar is right, I do have a retired stud and have had him almost a year now. He is a great cat and most of all a wonderful buddy for our family! I too have small children, ages 8,6,5, and 3. I also have a small dog as well. I can honestly say I didn't have high expectations for poor Jasper, he came from an outside enclosure and wasn't around children a lot, he was around dogs but they were more like horses lol, the breeders also had great Danes and mastiffs. Quite different from my little mix breed! To my amazement he pulled through and is now a very confident and happy boy! Like Fenstar has said it has taken him almost a year to become who he is now. He went from being scared about everything to being laid out on the couch without a care in the world. He did go through a phase of peeing outside the box and he also hissed and growled at,my youngest two. BUT........ I have to say I can't blame him, they are hyper and unpredictable to him. Well me too for that matter! I am a firm believer that with the right guidance, time, and patience most cats can be integrated in to a home with out major problems. I think the most important thing would be to set your expectations low and properly guide your children into kitty ownership to the best of your ability.

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Oh my goodness OPAL!! You can ask anyone I am a marble girl but there is something special about Opal!

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My choice would be Opal as well... such beautiful coloring and also being a Marble fan so the darker coloring are awesome.

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The little monsters 3

Yes thats probably the best way to decide I think! Sounds like we might be do some road tripping this weekend :) Another breeder just got back to me about her brown rosetted 3 year old girl, she said she doesn't like strangers, which worries me, I wouldn't want to stress the poor thing out. She suggests to confine them in a room for 4-6 weeks to get them comfortable before letting them out aswell.

Sometimes the cat just picks you and you don't have much choice in it. Also know that the cat may behave differently when it is not in the breeders home (with potentially many cats, many visitors, etc. around all the time) as opposed to your home, being an only or one of a few pets. Good luck with your decision, I think it is wonderful that you are going to give an adult a home.