Thanks Naomi.
We haven't had any luck finding a breeder with aby kittens available in my area. I don't really like the idea of buying a kitten that I've never seen in person so buying from out of state is not really an option for us. We are scheduled to bring our bengal home in 7 weeks. (I can't wait!) I just hope we can get our hands on an aby shortly after because I don't want our bengal to get too lonely while we're at work during the day.

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~Trisha~

7 weeks! that's going to seem like forever, I know it did with ours!! I hope you have some luck finding an Abys (very nice looking cat I might add) soon

Naomi

Hi

You have some of the best Bengal breeders in the country in California and you want an Aby are you mad?

Elsa

hahaha....maybe I should have kept my mouth shut about the aby!

We are getting one of each (bengal and aby) because we couldn't decide on just one breed. However, we are also considering purchasing two bengals from the same litter, a little boy and a little girl. A prospective buyer backed out on a purchase. We haven't made up our mind yet. We're going to see the kittens again next weekend and told the breeder we would make the final decision then. I'm really tempted to go with the brother and sister bengals...but I can't get over the aby. They are also very cool cats...and I love that look. I know everyone in this forum will tell me we should go with the brother and sister bengals...but it's really a tough decision for us to make!

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~Trisha~

Nope go with what you want! We have a bengal and a maine coon kitten, they are like chalk and cheese but they are always together it's very sweet!

Naomi

I don't blame you for wanting an Aby. I've always loved that breed. I just can't justify getting a fourth cat, and I certainly don't want one of my three to pass on so I can get one.

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- Dawn

http://www.nutkitty.com

Dawn...I know what you mean about not being able to justify getting another cat. I would love to take home both bengals and get an aby, but I, also, cannot justify getting a third cat. My boyfriend and I live in an 1100 sq ft condo and there just wouldn't be enough room for a third cat. In fact, we were only going to get one cat, but because we both work during the day we knew we had to get at least two for companionship. If we had a larger house I wouldn't hesitate in getting all three!

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~Trisha~

Aby's and bengals are both great cats! In fact, in the early days of the bengal breed aby's were interbread every so often to "set" the underlying bengal coat color. Today this isn't allowed, as htey can only bread to (US) domestic shorthairs or the British shorthair (or themselves) to be registered and shown.

I'm mixed on the mixing of cats. A bengal absolutely need a playmate if it will be left alone. Otherwise, they "do things" (many of which you won't like!). A reputable breeder will often allow you to "test drive" a cat to see if it fits in the new home. This can be a long process, 4 to 6 weeks or more. Trying to push the relationship doesn't work well. Another thing to consider, if you can tolerate dogs (I can't) Bengal kittens and puppies usually get along great from the start.

Hi drmartin13. Thanks for the input. Maybe I should've updated this posting, but we brought our aby kitten home a little over a month ago. Our bengal, Stella, gets along great with her. Of course, she didn't at first...but she warmed up to her after about 5 days of growling and hissing. Now they sleep together and groom each other all the time. I was really worried that it wouldn't work out, but thankfully it did. the aby breeder did tell us that if things didn't work out she would be happy to take her kitten back. But they are like best friends now. I'm so happy about it.

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~Trisha~

Hi Trisha

I knew it would work, we had the same trouble with Harvey(maine coon) and Oska (bengal), lots of hissing from Oska. But within a few days they were playing and sleeping together.

Naomi