Hi Everyone!!
I am hoping for a few tips and bits of advice, as we are adopting a year old Bengal from a friend who is unable to keep him. After a LOT of consideration we have decided to adopt him, as we have an awful lot of space both inside and out, and between the two of us there is usually someone at home. We both work from a home office and whilst we do a lot of 'running around' during the day there will always be someone here and there for a few hours to amuse him. We are not near other houses and are away from roads.
I have however been advised that Bengals enjoy having a 'territory', and it may be a good idea to build him an enclosure, as it would be safer for him and keep him happier. I would be happy to build him an outdoor enclosure as big as he likes really and fill it with plenty to keep him amused for his time outside- any thoughts from experienced Bengal owners?
I am also looking to buy him a bed, and have been steered towards an igloo type. Do Bengals tend to have a preference or is it 'personal opinion' as with other cats?
I am also unsure of what to feed him. I have been told to feed him only on hard food for a sensitive stomach, which has been best for keeping him clean with regards to his litter tray, and which he currently enjoys. I would really appreciate anyone's input as to what is best for this breed from a health perspective. I run a canine and equine animal veterinary diagnostics practice however am not so au fait with cat requirements and breeds, and really want to do the best thing for him to make sure he is as happy and healthy as possible!
Any advice or tips on anything would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

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The little monsters 3

Brilliant- I will invest in a robust cat tree then. I noticed that some of them have a bed element on them so he can have the best of both worlds!! Thanks for the advice!

Cats normally sleep wherever they want! LOL. Mine initially loved sleeping up in his cat tree, but he also loves sleeping on throws that I keep folded up on an ottoman. He loves to nap in my bed and sleeps with me at night. He's also got a heated bed that I keep on another ottoman that he loves on these chilly nights. I will say cats do not really like sleeping on the floor. They love to sleep up on something -- chair, couch, kitchen counters, etc.

As for a cat enclosure, we built one for Raiden which is 12'x12'x8' high. Raiden's previous owner allowed him to run free, which is how he ended up at my house (4 doors away). Several fights with another cat landed Raiden at the vets for treatment. The last fight was incredibly bad with scratches around his eyes (luckily no damage) and deep puncture wounds. Once the owner turned Raiden over to me, I decided he had to stay inside, which wasn't going to happen. Raiden stood at the door and cried. I finally bought a harness and leash and started taking him out for daily walks. It was my husband's idea to spend $2,000 and build this enclosure, which sits on our elevated deck, has a cat door from the dining room which gives Raiden 24/7 access. I brought the cat trees inside for the winter, but normally there are two out there, plus a cat house.

If this particular Bengal is not allowed to roam free, then opening up the door and scooting him out will be a little daunting for him. Regardless of the fact that you have a lot of room and are away from roads doesn't mean there aren't perils out there that could harm the cat. Cat fighting (even for males that are neutered) is still a problem and they can turn deadly. There could be other predators (foxes, coyotesJ). I have a friend who lives on several acres and owns several cats who roam outdoors and her neighbor down the road traps them when they come into his yard and he turns them over animal control, who calls my friend and she has to pay a fine to retrieve the cat.

It's wonderful that you are taking in this bengal. Just know the Bengal will want lots of attention and interaction from you and your husband, so be prepared to take on a two-year-old child that will simply never grow up! Best of luck!

Regarding food - feed him whatever his previous own fed him until he gets settled in. Food changes should be done slowly, over the course of a week or more, mixed together, more and more being the new food. I know other will jump in with food recommendations (I am not so picky and neither are my cats). If there is a dietary concern, I would ask the current owner what they have tried so you aren't buying 10 cat foods the cat knows he does 't like already. Good luck! Bengals are fun!

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The little monsters 3

Wonderful- thanks so much for all of the advice. I have researched a LOT about Bengals and am hopefully beginning to get a bit of an understanding so I can do the best for him! We are going to start him off indoors and I am going to try him with a lead to see how he likes the great outdoors. Once the weather warms up a little (in a couple of months) we are going to build him an outdoor enclosure, pretty much like yours Sherry by the sounds of things, as we are hoping he will be used to us by then and will also be ready to go outdoors alone, but I can't bear the thought of him being attacked by anything or getting lost so enclosure it is!

I have bought the same food that he is currently having (Royal Canin Sensible) which is expensive but apparently he likes it and I figured that like the horses it is false economy to buy the cheap stuff and this will do him more good in the long run?! Unfortunately I know a lot about equine nutrition so can tell when I am being fleeced, but I am trusting in the cat community here and hoping its for the best!

Thanks again for all of your help. He is coming tomorrow and I will let you know how we get on!