Bengals cats have many qualities that go well beyond their looks, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a good fit for everyone. They’re more demanding than your average cat and can develop behavioral problems if their needs aren’t met.
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What about families that are thinking about adopting a Bengal? Will this special cat fit right in, or will it only cause trouble for everyone? Let’s find out.
Are Bengal cats good pets for families?
Bengal cats have several qualities that make them good family pets. For instance, they’re sociable, playful, and loyal. It should be noted, however, that they can inadvertently hurt children when playing or when trying to escape their grasp.
The main reason why Bengals are good family pets is that they’re gregarious. They enjoy being around people and interacting with them.
In fact, without social interactions, Bengals can become quite miserable. For this reason, they can’t be left alone for long periods.
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Bengals also need to play and exercise daily, ideally with their owners. Playing sessions and physical activity are crucial for their health and well-being.
Therefore, being adopted by a big family is a good thing for a Bengal because it will have plenty of people to interact with and will be less likely to spend time alone.
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That said, it’s important to know that there are certain risks to be aware of when you have a Bengal cat living with children.
This breed isn’t known to be aggressive, so it’s unlikely that your Bengal will attack your children. However, it could still injure them accidentally when playing with them.
Also, Bengal cats don’t like to be picked up or restrained. They can cause serious injuries with their claws when trying to wiggle free.
That’s why it’s crucial to educate your whole family about the proper ways to behave with a Bengal. Here are a few rules that everyone should follow:
- Never play with the cat using your hands; always use a toy.
- Never try to catch the cat to pet it; instead, let the cat come to you when it feels like it.
- Never restrain the cat.
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To greatly reduce the risk of injury, we recommend installing nail caps on your Bengal. These are made of soft plastic and have rounded tips that prevent lacerations.
The great thing about nail caps is that they’re cheap and easy to install. We explain how to do so in this simple guide: How to install cat nail caps in 4 quick steps (video included).
Important: Declawing is very harmful and should therefore not be an option. You can learn more here.
Final thoughts
Because they like being around people and playing with them, Bengals can make great pets for families. They can even tag along on family trips, as they like going out and are always eager for adventure.
But there is one caveat: Bengals have sharp claws that they may use when playing or when they feel threatened. It’s therefore crucial to teach your family how to properly interact with such an animal.
If you think that a Bengal is the right pet for you and your family, make sure to check out our buyer’s guides:
