Is getting a domestic kitten as a companion for a male bengal a good Idea? I have an 10 week old bengal kitten that I have raised myself since he was a week old and I wanted to get him a companion and i found this beautiful domestic kitten who is 9 weeks old and I am considering adopting him... what do you guys think?? or recommend?

It generally depends on the cats, we used to have a male moggie who was 2 years old when I first brought my Bengal home and they never got on, but they did have very conflicting personalities.

The main issue with Bengals and other cats that I've found is because they are a hybrid breed and have very different muscle tone, it's kinda like having a body builder that doesn't know their own strength. So they think they are playing with the moggie and the moggie is getting hurt. Same thing happens when they think the other cat is playing and it's getting too rough as they seem to have a different pain threshold. I was often having to deal with claws in my bengals head that turned into abscesses cos the moggie would smack her, she herself though didn't seem to notice much.

It could be easier if they are both babies together but keep an eye on the moggie if it looks like it's getting too rough for it break them up a bit or pull out another toy and get the Bengal to play with you instead to give the moggie a breather. I've heard plenty of stories where they can get on great it's just about having the right personalities together and making sure the moggie doesn't get hurt as a full grown male Bengal is a lot of muscle.

Good luck.

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- Sarah
Arya 24/04/16 - Seal Lynx Point Rosetted Bengal
Griffith 16/04/16 - Silver Seal Lynx Point Rosetted Bengal
Mina (in my avatar)- 1999-2016 - Seal Mink Spotted Bengal (Snow) - run free at rainbow bridge

Getting the two together as kittens shouldn't be a problem! And as they grow up together, they aren't going to really know a difference between breeds. I'm thinking they will be the best of friends. Congratulations on raising a bengal from the age of one week!

Two problems:

1. If you've raised the bengal since 1 week old, then he has zero socialization with other cats. I don't really know how that's going to manifest itself, other than he just simply has no clue about playing with and relating to other cats. It would almost be a fascinating social science experiment, except that it might be a painful one too.
2. Bengals are often just real tough on other cats. If their playmate isn't assertive, then the game becomes hunt vs hunted, which isn't necessarily all that fun for the other cat :/

You never can tell, but my guess is you'll have a pretty low probability of long-term success with those two. If you do it, make sure you set your expectations accordingly, and prepare to be willing to spend the amount of effort, and patience, required.

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The little monsters 3

Because they are the same age I think you have a good chance of them being great friends. Spend time engaging the two of them together in play and feeding so they associate good things with each other. You never know for sure, but I think your chances are very good.

I brought in a Bengal kitten with a 2 yr old Persian cat. What did I get? A misbehaving Persian cat! I clip both cats' claws weekly, just to make sure they don't hurt each other. I did put on soft paws, but Liz & Zofia chewed them off. Easier to put aluminum foil where I don't want them & have a water spray bottle handy.

TWO feeding zones, for wet food, for breakfast.

OH - MOST IMPORTANT: BOLT all shelves, display cabinets to the walls!! Not because your Bengal will sleep on the shelves. But because they LOVE to run across the tops, pounce from above! Now my Persian thinks it's funny to stare from up there.

DO put all your collectibles into display cabinets - or be prepared to suddenly lose grandma's vase, because a kitten accidentally slips, grabs the cloth on top of your chest of drawers in the bedroom - then keeps grabbing it, until she runs out - in mid-air, like a Sylvester cartoon!

Fifth year with Liz...she & I survived. Zofia thinks she's her best pal. Just haven't stopped Liz from climbing drapes...lots of holey drapes, I stitch up.

I'm sure that those on here from the beginning can tell you: it's hit or miss. But when it works, it works!