One of the questions you might ask yourself when adding a Bengal cat to your family is how long you can leave them at home alone. It is an important topic to consider before bringing home a new cat. You want to ensure your lifestyle will be conducive to pet ownership!
So, how long can you leave a Bengal cat alone? While every cat will behave slightly different, typically an adult Bengal cat is ok to be alone for around eight to ten hours, or the length of a typical workday. This depends on the temperament of your cat, in particular. Some Bengals will be ok to be left up to twenty-four hours alone, while others may act out if they are prone to loneliness or are easily distressed.
Your cat’s age also plays a big factor in the answer to this question. Kittens shouldn’t be left alone as long until they are around six months old. Kittens are often prone to scratching and biting and may get up to mischief without close supervision.
How Can I Make Sure My Bengal Is Happy While Alone?
Regardless of your Bengal’s age, there are ways to ensure your cat remains comfortable even in your absence.
Double-check your cat has all of its necessities taken care of before you leave. This includes making sure the litter box has been freshly changed, and that your cat has all the food and water it will want for the length of your absence.
Your Bengal cat will be happier while home alone if you leave out their toys or favorite play items while you are gone. If you don’t have any, your local pet store should have a large variety of options for cat toys and treats that you can purchase to have on-hand for when you leave. All cats react differently to certain toys, so take the time to figure out what your cat loves before you leave them for an extended period.
Tips to Prevent Your Cat from Getting into Mischief
If you know your Bengal cat is prone to getting into trouble when you aren’t home, take time to “cat-proof” your home before you leave. Often when cats act out when you are gone, it’s due to their underlying sadness or distress at being left alone. If you live in a larger-sized home, you may want to limit your cat to a series of rooms to avoid them having access to the whole house.
If you live in a smaller home or apartment where this is not possible, take care to put down blankets over your nice furniture and pick up anything breakable before you leave to avoid coming home to scratched up couches or toppled-over plants,
If you must leave your Bengal at home alone for longer than a day, it’s best to arrange for either a pet sitter or a friend to check in on your cat. Having a pet sitter gives you peace of mind that someone is keeping an eye on your pet and can make sure they have the food and water they need. Also, your pet sitter will let you know if your Bengal is distressed or something has gone array.
Do Bengal Cats Get Lonely?
The short answer is yes. Bengal cats are brilliant animals, and being left alone can often trigger feelings of sadness or loneliness for this breed. They are typically very playful and active and want a lot of stimulation throughout the day to stay entertained.
This is something to consider before bringing a Bengal cat into your family or any cat for that matter.
If you work a job with long hours or know that you will be gone from your home for extended hours, you may want to consider getting a second pet to keep your Bengal company. Bengal cats do well when welcoming another pet to the family.
Do Bengals Get Along with Other Cats?
Yes, Bengal cats do typically get along well with other cats and dogs in your home. Of course, every cat has a slightly different personality, and you will want to consider your pet’s habits before introducing additional animals.
Bengal cats are very social and typically react well to sharing their home with other cats, even if the other cats are not also Bengals. The key is to be cautious initially when introducing a second cat into the mix and give your Bengal time to adjust to having a new friend in the home.
How Do I Introduce a New Cat to my Bengal?
Once again, age plays a big factor in the difficulty of introducing a new cat. The younger your Bengal cat is, the more receptive they typically will be to you bringing a new animal in the home. If your Bengal cat has been around other cats or dogs before and has been socialized, they may be more comfortable during the introduction process as well.
Older cats can often have more difficulty with this process, mainly depending on the age of your second cat. If you are bringing in a kitten to live with an older Bengal cat, they may be initially bothered by the kitten’s high energy and playfulness.
When you first bring your second cat home, you will want to have each of the cat’s set up in different rooms. Make sure their food and water bowls are in different rooms as well. It’s easiest to introduce them in gradual increments.
Start with short play dates where they can each sniff each other and get familiar with the other’s scent. Some people find it’s helpful to leave a blanket or towel of the new cat’s scent in the room where your original Bengal cat sleeps so that they become accustomed to the smell.
As the two cats become more familiar with each other, you can leave them together for more extended periods. However, you want to be cautious about leaving them alone together for a prolonged period until you feel confident they have adjusted to each other and are getting along well.
Are Bengal Cats High Maintenance?
The answer is that it depends on what you consider high maintenance behavior in a cat. In some ways, Bengal cats require less care than other cat breeds. Bengals shed less than other cat breeds and do not require professional grooming or constant brushing.
However, Bengals are not the breed to get if you want a cat who sleeps all day. They are very active and high energy cats, and for that reason, some owners may find their personalities high maintenance. They require a lot of attention and stimulation to stay happy and content.
Bengals also are not the breed to get if you want a cat who will sleep in your lap all day. Bengals are typically affectionate with their owners but tend to be curious and want to explore more than they want to sleep in your lap.
How to Tire Out a Bengal Cat
While Bengals are very energetic cats, there are simple ways you can make sure they are getting the love and attention they need. It may require a little more of your time, but it’s always a good idea with Bengals to have extra toys and activities on hand to avoid them getting into your drawers or cabinets instead!
Make sure to block out a chunk of your day while you are home to play with your cat. They love the one-on-one attention and enjoy any kind of scratching or climbing activities. Even if you just lay on the floor and cuddle with them, Bengals relish in the attention you give them.
Some people even find that their Bengals exhibit behaviors more similar to a dog than a cat! Try starting a game of fetch. You might be surprised to see that they will return the ball to you and continue the game!
