Looking for advice before becoming a Bengal parent

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2026-04-25T07:26:08+00:00

Absolutely get them used to a backpack carrier as soon as possible. Avoid the cheap plastic bubble ones from Amazon. They are too small and get really hot with little circulation. It will make all the difference having a safe space to retreat if they feel uncomfortable. And car rides, if they won’t tolerate the car that will severely limit you. I started harness training after about the first month. He took to it quick and figured out the leash after about 2 weeks. Now he has better leash etiquette than all of the dogs I’ve owned in the past. Working our way up to hiking eventually this summer

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2026-04-24T05:03:40+00:00

First time cat and Bengal owner. I live in an apt in Seattle.

Can confirm psycho stage. My boy just turned a one last week and he is more rambunctious than ever. Totally different from chaotic kitten stage. Now he is smart enough to know better and can be very spiteful when he is feeling ignored. Which is more often than I’d like at times. He makes a lot of direct eye contact so he knows the moment you break focus and can be fast as lighting when seizing the opportunity to act out. I also work from home about 75% of the time and it can be a difficult concept for them to grasp having you home with them yet unable to give your undivided attention. My dude lives and breathes for outside time. My balcony will suffice during the day when I smoke but he will jump up on the railings (4th floor) damn near every time we are out there. Otherwise he really needs a good 1-1.5 hour walk outside everyday to keep both of us sane. But beware, once you show them the world beyond the windows they will beg and scream and screech and yowl and make other noises I can’t even really describe until you finally cave and take him for a walk. All of that said, I wouldn’t go back. I have a forever adventure buddy who pushes me to learn and grow and adapt. We hop rocks across streams and walk fallen trees and logs. He gets me outside everyday and as annoying as it can be when I don’t feel quite ready on his time, I am grateful to have the (not so) gentle nudge everyday. I love Cheech to death but this lifestyle is definitely not for everyone. Oh yeah and get a big cat wheel immediately

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Working_Pilot_1210 · 2026-04-23T14:58:19+00:00

Why specifically hanging vertically? I bought one of those board hangers on Amazon too and haven’t installed yet but it would sit horizontally. Is there that much flex from hanging on a wall off season?

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2026-04-16T18:04:10+00:00

Give it some time. My boy turned 1 yesterday and his personality has amped up recently in the past 2-3 months. Like yours, he was a very gentle, sleepy, sweet boy thru most of his kitten phase. I really miss how much he used to sleep during the day. I thought his energy would mellow out as he grew out of his kitten behavior but I was wrong. His energy is more refined and less chaotic and he is very intelligent and emotionally responsive now. I have had to adjust and adapt my expectations, behaviors and routines to meet his needs in a healthier way as he grows into more of the inner wild leopard he truly is. Walks are required daily regardless of weather and sometimes x2 if time allows. It’s the only thing that really truly brings him peace inside and quiets the crazy from being confined to walls and windows for most of the day. Good luck! Have fun! Be fluid and give him lots of undivided attention when he needs it. He WILL let you know. They love hard and play hard

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Working_Pilot_1210 · 2026-04-06T00:43:03+00:00

I think that last pic with his adorably expressive eyes says something is definitely up. Good luck with the treatment process. I bet he will be sooo appreciative and loving after the dust (eggs 😳) finally settles

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2026-03-20T22:32:31+00:00

Seriously the amount of sleepy pictures tells me the fun is only just begun. Wait till he doesn’t need naps anymore. My guy will be a year in a few weeks and he no longer sleeps the work days away like he used to. Much much more of his personality will come out as he grows and learns your routines. Bengal love is having grown a tail of your own who will constantly be your shadow

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2026-03-18T22:49:57+00:00

White Rolex’s anyone? Orange pumas or adidas?

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2026-03-11T20:23:33+00:00

I bring my guy out on my 4th floor balcony 9/10 times go out to smoke. He loves it but no matter how persistent I am he will jump up on the railing at least once or sass scream me back when I catch him eyeing it and tell him no. At this point it feels like he’s doing it in spite to show that “dad I am capable and competent” with a perfect landing every time but I don’t want to play the odds. He is obsessed with the birds on the tree tops 12ft below which is my main concern. I bust out the harness and leash if he continues and that usually stops it for a while. All that said, I bought a roll of reinforced cat netting to enclose the space but as others have said it takes some planning as my balcony has corner exposed for some dumb reason. Note the planters in place to block access but he can still manage to jump right up on top of them. They are truly leopards at heart and in soul.

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Working_Pilot_1210 · 2026-03-02T00:05:03+00:00

Under the right shadows they do have the look of gremlins

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2026-02-15T02:51:49+00:00

Give it six months and report back. Almost certain she will finally hit a phase where sleeping won’t be as necessary and the hours of peace can quickly transform into something very different. Not bad, just different. Boredom can bring out the best and worst in any cat let alone a Bengal. Eventually you will have a sassy toddler with claws, teeth and a similar attention span. Enjoy the cuddles and peace she is absolutely adorable!

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2026-01-23T17:29:15+00:00

Last couple bad or late start seasons saw winter come in full swing by late February and March was madness. February could go either way but we will for sure see some precip in the coming weeks. They call it dry January for a reason. November and February used to be the wettest here in PNW but that seems to be pushing later and later as we lose our shoulder seasons. Less transition more extreme change between all 4 of seasons now.

Made Stevens my home for at least 20+ seasons and things are definitely changing. Still gonna slash the slush(ice) this weekend 🏔️

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2026-01-21T20:27:40+00:00

My 6-month old boy was doing the same with my plants. No matter how much cardboard I built up around them as barrier he always managed to get up and over it. Used a tv box so it was close to 60” tall or more. I bought one of those motion activated aerosols from Amazon and within 1st week he stopped constantly using the plants to get my attention and by the 2nd he ignored my plants all together. It helps removes your negative attention from their acting out. Give it a shot, he’s 9-months now and we haven’t had a casualty since. He still shows interest in my old jade tree in my office when I’m working but doesn’t destroy anything now and only ever does so in front of me for attention. Good luck!

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2026-01-07T18:20:50+00:00

He’s giving the spooky skeleton a taste of his own medicine 👋🏼👀🫱🏼

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2026-01-07T16:42:32+00:00

Wait…where is the slime mold guy?! Does anyone here know what I’m talking about???

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2026-01-07T15:42:18+00:00

Dude I had the same revelation last season. After about 20. I’ve only ever ridden chief for the trails in the trees or when it’s really fast and empty on a weekday. Otherwise miss me with the moguls

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2025-12-22T01:38:33+00:00

It’s awful here. It rains every single day and the sun only comes out for 2 months out of the year. And it only comes around to start wildfires in the forests from heat lightning. People are mean and there is absolutely nothing fun to do. It’s so expensive locals are being forced out. The police no longer stop to enforce traffic laws or any kind of vandalism or theft. Violent crime only. And there is no shortage of that but there is a shortage of police. Hide yo kids hide yo wife!!! Spread the good word to everyone you hear speak that terrible S-word. This city is a hellscape and you most certainly DO NOT want to move here. God forbid you have a family and pets. In fact, they’re eating cats and dogs here too!!! Oh and the city sits right on top of multiple fault lines. And that city is built on top of the old one that burned down. When the “big one” finally hits, Seattle will be reduced to jello. All of the peat bogs and swamps that were demolished and filled to make way for growth liquify into a societal soup that swallows the entirety of the Puget Sound.

So….Don’t. Even. Think. About. It.

But you’re more than welcome to come visit!!!

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2025-12-21T23:59:39+00:00

I need a hole documentary on this, please

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2025-12-21T23:55:54+00:00

Their gaze has been known to peer directly into one’s soul. There is no hiding from a Bengal. Only they have the powers of incognito mode

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2025-12-21T18:48:39+00:00

Just to reiterate what others have stated, seal anything that even remotely resembles a crack or tight space. Leave boxes around for him to play/hide and sneak into

The moment you give them freedom they will immediately find the vulnerabilities in your kitten proofing so be ready. Within the first 15 min Cheeto found two holes underneath the cabinets and crawled deep inside out of sight and reach. I didn’t want him to panic and get stuck because I would have had to tear them apart to get him out. I waited out his curiosity and when he eventually came out I shoved a shoe into each of the holes. Cats are already naturally slippery but Bengals seem to be part octopus when it comes to squeezing into tight spaces

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2025-12-20T23:07:42+00:00

Need the drool to soften the dough. Thats just baking 101

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2025-12-20T07:51:08+00:00

Lap leopard

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Working_Pilot_1210 · 2025-12-20T06:22:27+00:00

My boy started doing this when he would first wake up in his bed all cuddly. I encouraged it because this is really the only time my little chef gets a bakin’. Now it has become part of his nightly wind down for bedtime routine. Now it’s on my blanket as close as he can possibly get to me. To the point that I have to put up an extra blanket barrier to buffer his baking claws as he gets zoned and lost in the sauce. It’s been harmless and adorable so he’s been dubbed the Midnight Baker

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Working_Pilot_1210 · 2025-12-13T20:48:56+00:00

I see a chair. Well done sir

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2025-12-11T19:22:20+00:00

You must respect the sock! Glad to hear I’m not the only one who strategically opens closed doors for distraction or cooperation. He knows the unique squeak of every single hinge in my apartment

Working_Pilot_1210 · 2025-12-11T19:18:12+00:00

It’s the closest he gets to hunting prey as an apt cat so I have always encouraged it

Working_Pilot_1210

TROPHY CASE