I just pick up my new bengal kitten from the airport yesterday.

He is now 10 weeks old.

I have a couple of questions. So I know it takes some time for the kitten to adapt to his new home.
He is litter trained before I bought him. I put him into the litter box yesterday and he peed in it, but when I get home from grocery today I found that he had done a number 2 on the carpet.

I cleaned the poo and placed some of his poo in the litter box. Is that gonna help him identify his toilet next time?

Also, I live in an apartment on the first floor. I am thinking of taking him out from time to time so he can enjoy fresh air. Does anybody know how old he should be for me to walk him/ take him out on a harness/jacket? I know I need to get him familiar with wearing a harness/jacket but from how old can I train him to do so?

Thank you very much!

You will find part of the issue could be because he's been sold to you very young, bengals are meant to be sold at 13 weeks so they have enough time to learn from mum and their siblings about how to be a cat, this is also when they learn how to use the litter box how to clean themselves etc.

I would put him in his litter box several times per day especially after he's eaten to reaffirm this is where he goes to the toilet, I am hoping it was just an accent due to the stress of flying and being so young. I would recommend you get some Feliway plugin or spray which will calm him and help him adapt to his new surroundings faster.

Also at 10 weeks has he had his second set of vaccinations yet? I wouldn't think about taking him out until he is a least around 4 months and really well adjusted to your home and his new environment. The best way to get them used to both harnesses and collars is to put them in it and then get out their favourite toy and play with them whilst they wear it in the house. Once they are used to wearing it then you can start taking them outside with it on.

Fingers crossed it all goes well and he settles in quickly.

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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

Here's some things to consider:

1. Some cats will not use a dirty, smelly litter box.
2. Some cats insist on pooing in a different litter box than where they pee.
3. Many cats will not use, or have great reluctance to using an enclosed litter box.
4. Cats don't like to pee/poo in close proximity to where they eat.
5. Cats want to feel "safe" when they go, and so they have strong preferences about the locations of their boxes (e.g. Away from loud noises or offensive odors). It may be that at the particular time when he needed to go, he just didn't feel the box was "safe"
6. Cats also can have strong preferences about the litter inside the box. This is why it's generally recommended that you use the same kind of litter and box type he had at the breeders initially.

My recommendation: understand the above and observe his behavior carefully. You can help you odds by keeping the litterbox very clean and perhaps adding a second box. Possibly different from the first if there is suspicion he could not be liking the location, box type or size, or the litter inside.

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The little monsters 3

Your breeder is very misinformed, especially when it comes to Bengals. Regular cats seem to leave their moms when they are weaned, but bengals are not like your regular cat. First of all, you need to be using the same exact type of litter your breeder uses. Second of all, the little guy may need a couple of litter boxes. Location is also key -- they love privacy and it has to be in a convenient place for them to use it. Know that accidents can happen -- just like toddlers who have been toilet trained. You are dealing with a toddler here.

As for walking him on a leash -- you will need to get him used to the harness first. Many recommend the walking jackets that are sized for your kitty. They do outgrow those and you will need larger sizes as that happens. An "H" harness is adjustable and has two clasps. It may take him a while to get used to wearing the harness inside the house, but that's how you start. Never take him outside until he is comfortable wearing the harness. He may still be a little young at this stage. I'd wait a few more weeks, but that will give you time to get the harness or walking jacket, allow him to wear it inside the house (always supervise him while he has it on). Then you can eventually carry him outside and put him down on the ground and see what happens. Initially, he won't go walking very far, but as he gains confidence, he will want to expand his territory.

Know this to be a fact -- once you start walks and he goes outside, he will want to continue them -- more than once a day. Mine gets TWO walks a day and that's still not enough. Sometimes never allowing them outside in the first place keeps them from wanting to investigate the outdoors.