Okay, so yesterday, I was given a 4 month old male, silver marbled Bengal. And he's the first Bengal I've ever owned. So I just have a few questions. I've done some research, so I know some things...like how big/old he'll get, colour patterns, personalities etc. So i'm just hoping you guys can help me out. ((Yes I have papers, and he is a purebred, just an fyi)

1) Are all bengals really cuddly? He likes to sleep with me on my couch and in bed, and loves attention.

2) Are bengals "picky eaters"?

3) He has about 1- 1 1/2 hour spurts of energy where he'll run all over my house, and play with the various toys we have layed out for him, then he'll nap for about an hour or so, then repeat the cycle. Is this normal for all bengals? Or just kittens? Or... I've had 3 cats prior, (2 Short hairs and 1 Maine Coon) but they were all adults, so it's easy to say that Sebastian is my first kitten.

4) I've read that Bengals can sometimes have "dog-like" attitudes, whereas following me around my house and coming when I call him (sometimes).

*last question* 5) He's really vocal, but I have read that Bengals both are and aren't vocal, and I'm not sure which one is true.

Alrighty. Those are my questions. Thanks guys!

~Sebastian and I <3

So the answers to most of these are going to be: "it depends on the specific cat"; but I'll do my best here.


Bengals tend to be affectionate cats. They love people and love their attention. I definitely know of very cuddly Bengals that are lap cats; but that really isn't the norm. In general, I would not expect a Bengal to be super cuddly.

We have a Bengal who sleeps with us every night and hates to be held. She'll be close but only on her terms and only at certain times (though when she's in heat oh boy!).
We have another who will come for scratches and hugs - but only from one person. He'll lie (sometimes) on only one person. We've found that Bengals can bond really closely with one person and have a very affectionate relationship with them.


I've never seen anything in the breed that leads me to this one. Some are, some aren't.


Kittens will always be more active than the adult cat. That being said - yes, that's pretty normal for a Bengal kitten. Bengals are super active cats.


Definitely normal. Bengals love to be around the action and that's where the people are. They can also play fetch, learn tricks, walk on a leash.


In general, Bengals are vocal cats. They usually have lots to say and a large range of sounds that they can make. Yes, Bengals can be quiet; but in general, Bengals are a noisy breed.

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Welcome to the forum.


To take your questions one by one..

1. No, some are not cuddly, but when they are, in my limited experience, they are cuddly bengal-style = full on.

2. I don't think so, at that age my 2 tried most things in my apartment to see what they tasted of and would also eat any sort of cat food.

3. Yep. :-)

4. All cats are different, but they do tend towards those traits.

5. Some might be quiet, mine aren't bad, but can get a bit shouty when they want something.

Welcome to the forum.


To take your questions one by one..

1. No, some are not cuddly, but when they are, in my limited experience, they are cuddly bengal-style = full on.

2. I don't think so, at that age my 2 tried most things in my apartment to see what they tasted of and would also eat any sort of cat food.

3. Yep. :-)

4. All cats are different, but they do tend towards those traits.

5. Some might be quiet, mine aren't bad, but can get a bit shouty when they want something.

Heh, I actually have a pretty definitive answer to that! Here's what a couple hundred bengal owners say:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20435

Incidentally, the answer to this can really change pretty dramatically over time. At age 1-4 or so, I'd say my blue bengal Serafina was borderline "cuddles shmuddles". Now at age 6? I'd actually classify her as pretty darn cuddly. And woe to another cat that interrupts her cuddle session!


My $0.02 is that most kittens are not, and most adults are. But that's true of cats in general. I don't think bengals are different in this regard.



This one of the defining traits of the bengal breed imo.


Yes, "dog people" love to write this As if it is high praise. Most cats that I've had have followed me around the house, unless they have something better to do . And all that I've had will come when you call then *if* believe that coming will result in something that they want. Bengals are no different imo.



Yea, most bengals seem to be pretty vocal, as a baseline, but the extent to which they want to talk, I believe, is mostly a learned behavior. So in part it will depend on how you respond to them. Think of a bengal screaming at you as them holding a clicker and seeing how you respond to their stimulus

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Gee, you all were so good with your answers that I don't have much to add. My bengal is not cuddly at all, but has to sleep in our bed at night. Used to be at my feet, but now he's hogging the hubby's side (and hubby doesn't really like it).

Picky eaters? That can describe just about all cats! Mine has his favorite "flavors" -- being chicken over beef, turkey, tuna, etc. Mine is also a grazer. The outdoor cat I feed finishes his bowl at one sitting.

Bengals have loads of energy ... a lot more than you will ever have. And they never grow out of it.

My bengal loves to be in the same room I am in. If I get up and move, he moves with me. They seem to love human interaction and are very sociable. Mine does not come running if I call his name unless I have a can of cat food in my hand.

My bengal is highly vocal! He can yowl at the top of his lungs, especially when he wants his walk.

Enjoy your bengal. They are challenging, but sweet and so enjoyable.