The question of whether or not to add another cat to the household .... things can go great or things can go horribly wrong. It seems to be easier with kittens than adult cats. So if you're going to add a new addition, this is the time to do it. A lot of owners worry about their bengal getting bored while they are gone. Truth be known ... most of the time they sleep! As long as you're spending quality time with them and you've got lots of playtime with them, they are usually fine.

Naturally, two kittens would occupy each other (and probably get into double the trouble). You don't honestly know which cat would be the dominant factor in the household. For now, it's the female because that's all you have. Just know that there's a proper way to introduce the two of them which takes time -- a lot of time -- and a lot of patience! You'll be spending all of your time at home dealing with this. That's not to say you shouldn't do this. Having two can be a great experience once everyone gets along.

I have one bengal and there's no way I'd ever have two of them. But so many members here have multiple kitties and love it. Hopefully, some will post on here and give you the extra encouragement you need to do the deal.

I'm a big proponent of having two bengals, partly because they are potentially the best playmates for each other, and partly because as an owner there are many behaviors you will only see when cats interact with each other. So there are potentially some big plusses.

But as far as the likelihood that Zara will accept another cat, it's really all about her personality, so actually you are going to have more insight into that than anyone else. Perhaps you got to witness her as a kitten? Or her reaction when a neighbor cat comes near the house? At 5 months she's still pretty young and likely much more accommodating than she will be 6 months or a year from now. But yea... always a risk. If you decide to do it, make sure you read up on how to introduce cats to one another, and some strategies for handling difficulties should they occur.

One other aspect of it, is that some people report that if the introduction goes well, and the cats get along well, it could come somewhat at the cost of Zara's relationship with you (at least in the short run). They become each other's best friends, and are less interested in sitting in your lap etc.... something to consider.

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The little monsters 3

There are so many topics dealing with situations -- like "My two cats hate each other," or the cat is not bonding with the human (and loves the other cat instead). There will be issues with a second cat -- but none that time can't heal. You just have to be willing to put up with it. We've had frantic owners post on here that their existing cat wants to kill the new kitty. We say "separate them and give it time". Weeks later, they are grooming each other, sleeping together and best friends. So just know what you can be in for. If you expect the worst, you may get the best! And their antics together will entertain you for hours. I watched a video recently of two kitties playing hockey with something at 2:30 a.m. You always have to expect the unexpected! I know you have enough love for two kitties, but really, if you're going to do it -- NOW is the time.

Brian has three kitties and loves it!

Every household and pair of cats will have different interactions. I adopted 2 SLP kittens at 4 months, and I can't imagine only having one. They are together, but have separate interests/likes/dislikes. Yes they sleep during the day mostly when I am at work, but the cuddle and hold each other when they nap and when awake they are always aware of the each other. They play together in the morning and evening. They have the occasional dispute, but they always work it out. This is my first pair of cats and I love watching them interact and play.

Jill, those pictures of Gracie and Blondie are to die for!!!! They are super precious.

I have 2 siblings. I really wasn't certain that getting 2 was the right thing to do ( and sometimes I do still wonder ;-) ) but I am very thankful that I have got 2. They entertain each other, snuggle up together and keep each other company.

I have no experience in getting 2 bengals who are strangers to share a house together, but I will echo what is said above - you'll have to be careful doing it. That said, personalities of the 2 kittens aside, I understand that it will be much easier at 5 months when Zara is likely to think "ooh, another kitten, let's play" than in 6 months when the 2nd kitten might seem to be more of a rival for territory and attention from you.

If you do get the 2nd kitten then you'll be super busy, you'll need to look after the new kitten whilst maintaining the amount of attention that Zara has become used to.

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~*~Holly~*~

Orion ~ Light Gold Black Rosetted Bengal, born 5/19/15
Apollo ~ Tuxedo Marbled Tabby, born 1/7/12

Our Bengal was 8 months old when we decided to add another as hopefully a playmate - worked perfectly - they are lots of fun to watch and play all of the time! Every cat is different, but I think it's worth the small risk to get another. At your kitten's young age the chances are very high that adding another will work out very well.

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~ Kyenta

I guess I'm just lucky then. We have had Quasar since he was 13 weeks old. He's been remarkably undestructive.

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~ Kyenta

For almost two years, I left Raiden alone 9 hours a day Monday through Friday. He slept the day away -- usually in his enclosure which I could see via a surveillance camera. My first day I left Raiden inside the house (before the owner actually gave him to us and Raiden was just a visiting kitty), my husband texted me, "are we going to have a house left?" He had viewed a YouTube video of two bengals destroying a house -- well, everything was fine when I arrived home and assured my husband Raiden was not a destroyer.

Kittens sleep a lot -- just like babies do. They have their hyper moments, but if you can spare some time in the morning to play with the kitty and you do the same when you get home from work, the kitty will probably sleep all day long. Security cameras are cheap and you can always invest in one and few the footage and see just what your kitty does all day and you may be surprised!