Taking Care of a Bengal Cat: Your Guide to Welcoming Your New Bengal Kitten
Finally, the day has arrived! After months of anticipation, your new Bengal kitten is home. The wait may have felt endless, but now it’s time to make your home ready for your new family member. The transition can be a bit challenging, but with proper preparation, you can ensure that your kitten’s arrival goes smoothly and they feel comfortable in their new surroundings.
Arrival and First Impressions
When your kitten arrives, it’s best to start with a small, quiet room, such as a bathroom. This will allow your kitten to explore without feeling overwhelmed. Set up food, water, and a litter box, and allow your kitten to come out of the carrier on their own. If they are hesitant, you can use a feather teaser toy to gently coax them out. After they come out, show them the litter box and food/water bowls, and offer them a small amount of wet food to help them settle in.
Bonding With Your New Kitten
Bengal kittens tend to enjoy sleeping with their owners, and if allowed, your kitten may soon crawl up onto your bed. While this can be a sweet bonding experience, it's important to be mindful that your kitten might have accidents if they are groggy when they wake up. To help prevent this, make sure to place your kitten in the litter box as soon as they stir from sleep.
Alternatively, it's a good idea to wait before taking your kitten to bed with you in the first few months. During this time, it's essential to establish good litter box habits and routines. Kittens are more likely to have accidents in bed because the sheets can make noise or smell like their litter, which can confuse them. Establishing a solid litter box routine first can help minimize accidents and make the transition to sleeping together smoother later on.
Introducing Other Pets and Stress
If you have other pets, it’s crucial to wait until your Bengal kitten is fully settled in and comfortable with your family before introducing them. Introducing your new kitten to other pets too soon could cause them to bond more with your existing animals rather than with you and your family. Remember, your kitten has already gone through a stressful transition—moving to a new home without their siblings, traveling, and adjusting to unfamiliar smells, sounds, and surroundings. These changes can contribute to stress, and since cats and kittens are very adept at hiding their discomfort, it’s important to be patient.
Once your kitten has had time to adjust, you can begin introductions to other pets gradually. Start with a closed-door introduction, allowing them to smell each other from a distance. After that, you can proceed to a visual introduction where they can see each other but not physically interact. This gradual process helps reduce stress and allows both your kitten and your other pets to get used to each other in a safe way.
Keep in mind that stress from the transition can sometimes result in soft stools, so it’s important to stick to your kitten’s regular diet and avoid making drastic changes to their food right away. During this time, engaging them with a wand toy can be an excellent way to help them relax and bond with you, as Bengal kittens love interactive play. It's normal for kittens to eat less during the first few days as they settle in. Be patient and allow them time to get comfortable. You can sit nearby quietly, offer treats, or play with them to establish trust and create a positive association with you.
The Quarantine Period
To ensure the health and safety of both your new Bengal kitten and any other pets, it’s important to keep them separate for at least 7-14 days. This quarantine period helps minimize the risk of introducing new viruses or bacteria that could affect your kitten’s developing immune system. During this time, we strongly recommend confining your new kitten to a small, quiet room to help them decompress and acclimate to their new environment without the added stress of other animals.
If you have other pets, avoid introducing them to your kitten until they’ve had time to adjust to their new surroundings. Face-to-face encounters too soon can cause unnecessary stress for both your kitten and other pets, which may result in behavioral issues or litter box problems. To help your kitten feel secure, provide a separate litter box, food, water, and a cozy bed in their space. This gives your new Bengal kitten a safe and calm area to explore and settle into before meeting the rest of the family.
Having Run of the House
Once your Bengal kitten is comfortable in their small room, they can be allowed access to other areas of the house. Start with the master bedroom and connect it to their bathroom. As your kitten becomes comfortable with their surroundings, you can gradually expand their territory, but be sure to place several litter boxes around the house during the transition.
Litter and Litter Boxes
We use Scoop Away clay cat litter from Costco and highly recommend sticking with it, as it works well for our kittens.To avoid confusion, it's best to continue using the familiar Scoop Away Clay Litter when your kitten first arrives. If you choose to switch to a different litter, it's important to do so gradually to prevent any potty training issues. You can start transitioning to your preferred litter type by mixing it with the original litter. Transitioning may take a couple of months, so we suggest continuing with the same clay litter until your kitten has fully adjusted to the new one. Be patient and supervise your kitten during the first few weeks to help establish good litter box habits. During this period, make sure you have one litter box per cat, plus one extra, and place them in various areas around the house. This will help your kitten feel secure and encourage consistent use of the litter box.
Preventing Dangerous Habits
Bengal kittens are naturally curious, and their inquisitive nature can lead them into potentially dangerous situations around your home. They may be attracted to cords, plants, or other items that could pose a risk to their safety. To protect cords, consider using “Bitter Apple” spray or cord protectors to deter chewing. Also, be vigilant about the plants in your home and yard, as many can be toxic to cats. Plants such as rhododendron, azalea, oleander, lilies, and yew can be harmful or even fatal if ingested. If you're unsure whether a plant is safe for your kitten, you can consult resources like Poisonous Houseplants for Cats for guidance.
Furniture is another area to keep an eye on. Pay close attention to rocking chairs, electric furniture, and any open cupboard spaces that may be out of sight. Kittens love to explore and could easily find themselves in tricky or dangerous spots. Make sure to kitten-proof these areas to prevent any accidents.
When it comes to toys and small items, always keep fur and feather toys out of reach when not in use, as these can be ingested. Everyday items like hair ties, pencil erasers, or small rubber bands can also attract your kitten and lead to a trip to the emergency vet. Keeping these items stored safely will help avoid unwanted risks and ensure your Bengal stays happy and healthy.
Childproofing for Bengal Kittens
A Bengal kitten’s curiosity and energy are much like that of a crawling baby. You’ll need to take extra care to safeguard your home by:
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Hiding plastic bags, small objects, and rubber bands.
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Locking away medications, poisons, and cleaning supplies.
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Removing or securing heavy objects and fragile items.
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Closing toilet lids and keeping your kitten away from water-filled bathtubs and sinks.
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Blocking off small crawl spaces and securing windows and doors.
Behavior Training
Bengal kittens are highly energetic and may sometimes play rough. It's important not to encourage your kitten to play with your hands or feet, as this can lead to undesirable behavior. Always use a large, soft toy when playing with your kitten to keep the play focused and safe. If your kitten begins biting or growling at toys, it's crucial to correct this behavior early. A firm "No!" followed by a brief timeout in a quiet space can help your kitten understand that rough play is not acceptable. With consistent correction, your kitten will learn to engage in more appropriate play behaviors.
Preparing for Your Kitten’s Arrival – The Checklist
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Designate your kitten’s first room.
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Purchase sturdy, non-edible toys.
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Set up water bowls, food dishes, and wet food.
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Purchase cat tower/tree, scratches and tunnels.
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Provide multiple litter boxes and appropriate litter.
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Keep a squirt bottle handy for discipline.
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Close toilet lids and keep dangerous plants and chemicals out of reach.
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Remove small objects, plastic bags, and rubber bands.
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Block off crawl spaces and secure valuable items.
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Hide cords and plastic ribbons that can be chewed on.
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Use only supervised playtime with toys that contain feathers.
Raw food diet
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In our cattery, we feed our Bengal cats a raw food diet. We typically prepare our own chicken recipe using meat, organs, and bones (you can find the recipe in the folder). Your kitten will come with a sample of our raw food, enough for 7-8 days. If you prefer to buy pre-made raw cat food, you can find recommendations on our website page Raw food diet. We do not recommend dry food, but there are many high-quality options available.
Enjoy Your Bengal Kitten
Raising a Bengal kitten may come with its challenges, but the rewards are endless. Their playful and affectionate nature makes them a joy to have around. By preparing your home and understanding the needs of your kitten, you can enjoy a smooth transition and build a strong, loving bond with your new feline friend. We hope this guide helps you prepare for your Bengal kitten’s arrival and supports you in creating a safe, happy home for your new companion!