Bengal cats are excellent feline companions and domestic
cats that are great for active families. The Bengal cat’s personality is not
only tame but also unique with some dog like qualities. So for families that
want active pet but don’t want all the hassle associated with dogs, such as daily
walks, a Bengal cat is a great pet to have. Also it is great for families that
want a very unique and special cat that has a look of a wild animal on the
outside but a loving and tender personality on the inside.
Are they wild?
Bengal cats that are available for sale to general public
are fully domesticated cats because they are four generations removed from
their wild ancestors. Basically what’s that means is that the wild Asian
Leopard Cat is a great-great-grandad or grandma of an ordinary Bengal cat. Only
the fourth generation or F4 is considered a domestic cat by such cat
associations as TICA. Although you can buy F1, F2, F3 Bengal cats and even an
Asian Leopard Cat they are all intended for breeding purposes and require
special equipment and facilities to keep them. So don’t worry if you plan to
purchase a Bengal cat they have a tame temperament just like any other domestic
cat.
What are they like with kids?
Bengals are devoted family members and have a tender
personality. They love your attention and are perfectly safe with kids. The
only word of advice is that the Bengals are very active and dynamic cats and
are not lap cats. So it is important to teach your kids not to restrict the
cat’s freedom. They will follow your family members around and will be present
where the fun is. That’s why they are great with kids because children always
are up to something and the Bengal cat will love to play with kids.
Devoted members of the family
Bengal cats develop an affinity to family members and
require a lot of attention. This is important to understand and you must return
this affinity to them. A lot of Bengals love to talk. They meow, chirp and
yowl. So you can even talk to them and they will happily respond to you. They
really love to spend their time with their families. In this sense they are
very unique when compared to other cats, which are often aloof and independent.
In fact Bengals are very similar to dogs in this character trait.
Bengals have an inborn curiosity. They are avid explorers.
This is an important character and personality trait they have. This is due to
the intelligence this breed possesses. That’s why Bengals are easy to train and
there are lots of tricks you can teach them. Another aspect of their
personality that is a direct result of their intelligence and curiosity is that
they are very confident. If they want something they will get it. So don’t
worry when some jars break or cupboards open it is your Bengal searching for
its favorite toy or a treat that you have hidden away.
I have already mentioned that Bengals are very dynamic and
active cats. They are always running around, chasing, leaping, catching and so
on. I guess this is the only wild part left in their personality. However they
can also be affectionate and cuddly. But that’s rare. It is a cat that is
always ready for adventure and will always be around when something happens.
Again this character trait is very similar to dogs and there are many dog-like
things in Bengal cats’ behavior. For example they are active, they follow you
around, they can learn tricks, they are always happy to see you, and so on. So
I can even claim that Bengal cat is a dog lovers’ cat.
Water affinity
Often Bengals have an affinity for water. It is a very
common trait of the Bengal cat personality, which is a direct result of their
wild ancestry. They are attracted by running water and will not be afraid to
get into the water in order to investigate its source. So that’s why Bengals can
jump into the showers or bath, jump up to inspect the water running in the
kitchen sink and sometimes even play with the toilet water. They also get
sometimes pretty messy with the drinking bowel or drinking fountain.
