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The foundation ancestors of all domestic Bengals are of the Asian Leopard Cat species .

For more safety precautions CLICK HERE:

Because I'm hearing of the following instances happening more and more often, I hope you'll pause to read this story. This seems to be one of the most common accidents lately causing death of cats.

The Clothes Dryer: Takarra's Story - "Remembering Takarra" by Chanda Healton

"Takarra and her unicorn" Always look before putting anything in your dryer. Here is the tragic story of Takarra:

A lot can change in 1 year, especially when that year is sad and lonely and filled with regret.  I've dreaded this day for the past 364 days, but I knew sooner or later, I would have to face it, and the memories that come with good-bye.  I write this as a way of honoring Takarra's memory and also to remind each and every person who reads this of a very real danger that awaits each of your cats inside their safe and loving home: the dryer.

Takarra was more than a cat to me.  She was my first Bengal and my loving companion.  I loved her like she was my child, and some days it's harder than others to pull out that memory.  Her story, though rather long and sad, has the potential to save lives if heard though, so I will tell it again and again each year on both her birthday and the anniversary of her death until every single person gets in the habit of looking inside their dryer before starting it to make sure their babies are safe.

I'll never forget the day last year that we lost her.  It was cold and raining ice.  It was also my niece's birthday party.  I was sticky and needed a long hot bath while my clothes dried.  I stopped to toss the clothes in the dryer, and my back was turned only for a few minutes, but just long enough for Takarra to crawl, unseen inside the dryer,  I turned around, thinking Takarra was still sleeping on the cat tree in the other room, and looked to make sure both Gemini and Mew were on the bed.  I got in the shower and never gave a second thought to if Takarra was really on the cat tree or not.  My only concern was using every last drop of hot water that I could.

When I got out, I knew something didn't feel right, but I wasn't sure what.  I looked around and noticed Takarra wasn't around.  I called out to her several times and looked everywhere I could think of.  I figured she must have fallen asleep somewhere and didn't want to get up for my call.  She had been spayed only a few days before and I didn't think she was feeling too good.  I decided to leave her be and fold the clothes.  It was when I opened the dryer door, that I found the body of my beloved angel.  I can't express what went through my head as I held her and my friend drove us to the vet.  I was hysterical and couldn't stop telling her lifeless body how sorry I was and how I didn't mean for this to happen.    The roads were so bad that night, that it was a miracle that we made it to the emergency vet alive ourselves.  It was too late for Takarra, but I knew her body deserved a proper cremation.  

I went home and laid awake crying myself to sleep that night.  My Takarra was gone and I knew she'd never be coming home.  I held and cuddled Mew and Gemini and told them how much I loved them and that I never meant to take away their Takarra.  They seemed to understand that Mommy was hurting, but it would take a few days for them to understand that Takarra was gone and could never come home.  Mew often sat by the door and meowed while Gemini withdrew into herself and you could see she was depressed and missed her Takarra.  We lost Gemini less than 2 months later.  I believe she wanted to be with the Bengal she thought of as a daughter and often nursed and bathed as a kitten.  I also believe that they are together again and as happy as two cats can be at the rainbow bridge.

It's been a hard year for me.  I've accepted my place in Takarra's fate and I believe that the 7 short months of her life were lived to tell others of this innocent danger that is so often overlooked by so many.  Recently, on several cattery web pages, I've seen pictures of cats laying on or in dryers-   I know you took these pictures in good fun, but I also remember the horror of when I found my Takarra dead inside my dryer.   Each time I've seen one of these pictures, I've cried for my baby girl who left way too early, but I've also cried because I couldn't help but think that you were encouraging your cats to develop a deadly habit.  One you may have once thought would make a cute moment or one you may have laughed at.  I assure you, the danger is real.  Cats love warm spaces and soft clothes.  Many Bengals love water and would not  be phased by wet clothing, even if tossed on top of them.  It's our jobs as both owners and for those who breed, breeders, to protect the
lives of our cats.  We give them the best food, litter, toys and vet care that money can buy.  We often love them as if they are our children.  Many of our cats have more toys than some kids even.  We spoil our pets rotten because they give us a reason to smile each day even when life seems at the worst.  Now I ask that we give them 1 more thing.  It won't cost a penny, just 30 seconds of our time to bend over and look inside the dryer to make sure our beloved cats are all safe before we hit a button that could end their lives.  Surely our cats are worth 30 seconds of our time?  Please, don't let Takarra's fate be the fate of your cats.

Thank you,
Chanda Healton

RED ALERT!!! - Covers to Litter Tubs or Buckets Dangerous, Clothes Dryer Danger, The Great Outdoors.....

POSTED 12-23-2007

From Edith:

A terrible thing has happened in our family.

Please forward this message to anyone you now who has a cat, cares about animals, or who is in a position to spread this message further:

My daughter's cat, Geordi, a gorgeous 10-pound, 16-month old female tortoiseshell cat suffocated to death on Friday, December 14, 2007
inside a pail/bucket (canister) of scoopable clumping cat litter. The container was fitted with a dangerously designed flip-top (hinged) lid.

We can not fathom how Geordi got the lid open, but she did, and, being a curious little cat, in she went. We think that the next thing that
happened was that another cat leaped onto the container to see what she was up to and in doing so caused the lid to seal tightly. The
bucket is designed, evidently, to seal air tightly because this is clumping litter and must be kept moisture free.

Ironically, this litter is promoted as being for "multiple cats." It might be safe enough in a single cat household but we think the fact
that there were other cats present may have been the part that created the danger.

Some cat litter pails are made with one-piece lids which remove entirely (like those on kitchen plasticware). This would be much
safer. The lid on the bucket in which Geordi died, does not come offcompletely when the container is opened. Two-thirds of the lid flips
open(hinged) and the litter is dipped or poured from that opening.

The veterinarian examined Geordi and determined that she suffocated. The litter was inside her mouth, nose, and throat.

Needless to say, this is a time of grief for all of us, but the only thing to do is try to make other pet owners aware of the danger. Please
do these things:

1) Pass this message on immediately to all your animal-loving friends, whether they own cats or not, and ask them to pass this on.

2) Please note the design of all lids you presently have on scoopable litter canisters in your house. If they have this type of lid, GET
THEM AWAY FROM YOUR CATS. Do NOT leave any of these canisters anywhere your cat can get into it.

3) Check your pet store and contact the manufacturer of any product with this design and request that a design change be made if this dangerous
flip-type lid is on the bucket. I am not naming the brand as there may be more than one with this type of lid. You can check on this at the
pet store. Any lid on ANY brand that has this design would be dangerous.

3) If you are a member of any Internet cat groups, please pass this message on to everyone in your group.

4) If you have any connection with media that might help us get the word out, please help us try to get this in print or on television
news. The veterinarian that examined Geordi can confirm this story.

I have contacted www.snopes.com to alert them that I am sending this message to as many people as I can reach. It is originating on Dec. 17, 2007
so it may take a while for the information to be posted on www.snopes.com.

If you have any questions please contact me.

Edith Kilgo
Locust Grove, GA 30208

The Great Outdoors:

No matter how guilty you feel about not allowing your cat the freedom of the outdoors, don't succomb; no matter how safe you think your cat will be, you will eventually be proven wrong. Chances are eventually, something will happen. There can be many causes. I've heard more stories in 20 years than you can imagine, and they are all sad ones and irrevocable. You wouldn't leave your child outdoors....if you love your pets, just don't do it.

What an Indoor Cat Misses...
• Being Hit by a Car.
•Theft.
• Getting Lost
• Fleas, Worms, & Ticks.
• Fights with Other Cats, Dogs, Skunks, Raccons, or...
• Exposure to Diseases from Other Cats & Animals.
• Being Food for Coyotes or Other Predators, including
Birds of Prey and Poisonus Insects.
• Possible Neighbor Complaints.
• Choking from Collar Caught Up on Something.
• Cruel Humans Mistreating, or Abusing It.
• Rain, Wind, & Cold Temperatures.
• Animal Traps.
• Accidental (or Deliberate) Drowning or Poisoning.
• Lack of Food and/or Liquids. Starvation.
• Fear & Loneliness.
• Living (or Ending) Its Life at "Humane" Society.

Information, Personality, and Temperament of the Bengal Cat:

You may have done much research on the Internet and other sources, such as books, magazines, and cat shows gathering information about the Bengal breed. There is much information and, unfortunately, some misinformation still perpetuated by activists, or individuals against specific breeds--usually breeds created by hybridizing, such as the Bengal, using the Asian Leopard Cat (ALC).

Not all registries have accepted the Bengal Cat, even after 20 years of showing and becoming one of most popular breeds since its introduction to the cat fancy. Disposition and temperament are not the reason! Reasons are often perplexing, but basically boil down to:

Quelling the idea of creating "hybrids."

That the breeder should consider the validity of another breed, and whether or not the "product" will enhance the cat fancy.

Will there be enough individuals (new bloodlines) to participate among the present felines available.

Is this crossing simply an experiment based on one individual's vision or whim.

If it were not for the vision of originator Jean Mill, these wonderful cats would not exist today. They appeared for a brief time in the 70's and then disappeared, but are part of the history of the Bengal Cat. See the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) Yearbook, as represented in the 1979 issue, page 383, called the "Safari" cat.

One of the best sources to learn about the personality of the Bengal is through information on breeders' sites, for there's a wealth of accurate information. For this reason, I don't want to be repetitious, but do want to include a few thoughts I feel need to be said along with other positive information available.

Bloodlines are extremely important in carrying personality traits. Please don't blame the wild ALC for a heredity of bad temperament in any Bengal. So many domestic mixes or "feral" cats of mixed heritage were used in the very early matings, who can say where undesirable temperament actually originated. It was necessary to selectively breed for temperament so that the Bengals would show well when exhibited, and could be placed as reliable companion cats, which is true for any animal. It was some years before breeders learned more about socializing, and bottle feeding became a big step in socialization, particularly of the hybrids, which improved temperament in future generations. All felines learn by watching their mother and siblings, so it was important for each generation of females be well socialized.

Based on my own personal experience in raising early generation (EG) Bengal hybrids, I place a great deal of importance in their matings with very docile males. I feel temperament and behavior is inherited to a great degree, although it's also important to provide the right kind of environment and care to raise a kitten that will grow into a well-adjusted cat around humans. I think that generally, people are more accepting of the fact that purebred dogs are bred for behavior and specific purposes, and have been since their connection with the human race. They're bred for anything from scenting for sport hunting to scenting out drugs, or from herding farm animals to lap sitting. A few breeds of cats have been bred to be as soft and floppy as a stuffed toy--e.g., the Ragdoll breed. Most breeders of Bengal cats have bred for disposition and temperament since the inception of the breed. Even EG Bengals can make wonderful companions if they have been selectively bred for temperament. The ALC has been described as a shy cat, not an aggressive cat, so a great deal can be accomplished in the first two generations by being very selective of the parents that will produce succeeding generations.

Some wild rescue web sites, with dubious background, continue to perpetuate misinformation about the Bengal breed. The truth is, cats are cats, just as dogs are dogs. They inherit genetically according to their ancestors, domestic as well as wild; based on my experience the wild inheritance seems to fade by the third generation of Bengal hybrids and many second--and even first generation hybrids are quite tame.

Some traits do persist, because, simply, they are cats! Lots of cats other than Bengals like to play with water; lots of cats retrieve; lots of cats like high places; lots of cats crave chicken, turkey, raw or cooked, love to stalk and hunt, etc.; and most cats are intelligent. A cat breed, as a dog breed, is usually described by its most common traits, and the Bengals are no exception. The Bengals are just "more so!" or more "catly!"

The most important aspect of the Bengal breed you should know is that this cat is active to the extreme. You must be ready to interact with a Bengal. Don't expect it to be a "couch potato!" A Bengal can be demanding of its food and of your time. If you can provide it with affection and attention you'll be rewarded with a happy Bengal. However, Bengals don't always get along well together, and some prefer to be only cats, (also a typical feline trait) whereas others will almost always get along with a cat-friendly dog, a Bengal of a different gender, or even a cat of another breed, e.g., a Siamese or an Oriental Shorthair. My last Siamese queen, was literally the queen of our sun room. All the Bengals vied for a position next to her. She was the quintessential "earth mother." Bengal queens even sought out my male Siamese as a prospective sire (but, of course, they were not made for each other!).

What a Bengal is Not:

A Bengal is not a wild or incorrigible cat as some descriptions would have you believe. Because it's an intelligent cat, the Bengal knows what it wants, although most Bengals are quite trainable. Any Bengal with an incorrigible personality is a mistake and not usually created by design. Unfortunately, like many popular breeds, some may not have been bred with the best selection in mind for health and disposition. Despite the best efforts of ethical Bengal breeders, backyard breeders and mills still exist. Please don't maintain an opinion based on some of the negativity you may read.

Well, I certainly didn't mean to write this much! There is so much available on the Internet, and I hate being redundant so will let you continue to the next topic, and hope this has added a bit to your knowledge about the Bengal breed. Following is provided by permission from the author, and a valuable testimony to the breed......##

Temperament and Behavior

Dr. Sharon Crowell-Davis, DVM, PhD, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Behaviorists :
From my experiences with Bengals so far, I think they are readily socialized. I have let my own young daughter play with Bengals, which I would never do if I thought they were dangerous. Bengals are no more dangerous or wild than your average cat. Certainly any cat can scratch and any cat can bite, and in that respect a Bengal is just like any cat. But I have seen no evidence that they are any more dangerous than your average pet cat. 
According to my direct experience of the breed, they appear to be quite capable of being socialized if handled as youngsters in a friendly non-threatening situation, which is exactly what you want to do with any cat if you want them to grow up to be a friendly cat. I have handled them and played with them and not had any problems with them.

Dr. Crowell-Davis is a professor at the University of Georgia, Athens. She has studied and treated feline behavior problems for more than 20 years and is currently involved in extensive research regarding the behavior of both housecats and feral cat colonies. She has published extensively on the subject of feline behavior.
These quotes are extracted from an interview with Dr. Crowell-Davis, conducted by Nancy Prince, PrinceRoyal Bengals, and published in The Bengal Bulletin under the title "Bengals and Cat Behavior: Where do they fit in?". Copyright 2003 Nancy Prince, all rights reserved.This article may not be reproduced in any form without prior written consent by the author, Nancy Prince. Reprints of this page or the entire article are available at www.PrinceRoyalBengals.com/pubs.htm
##

A FEW DEFINITIONS:

Pelage: hairy, woolly, or furry coat of a mammal, distinguished from the underlying bare skin. The pelage is significant in several respects: as insulation; as a guard against injury; and, in its coloration and pattern, as a species adornment for mutual recognition among species members, concealment from enemies, or, in the case of many males, as a sexual allurement to promote courtship and mating. Compare plumage. (Britannica)

Pelt: is sometimes used by people to describe the Bengal coat; "pelt" is more commonly used to refer to skin and fur which has been stripped from wild animals by trappers, or from animals farmed for their luxurious fur (e.g., mink), to manufacture coats, or other commercial products.

Snow: A Bengal with a light background color, such as white, cream, or tan. Technically, there are three colors: seal lynx, seal mink, and seal sepia. See our page about the snows!

Leopard: Usually applied to the brown spotted tabby Bengals, this refers to the pattern which is rosetted and spotted. Brown tabbies can range from golden background color, to buff, to reddish (sorrell), with either dark brown or black outlined rosetting.

Marble: A Bengal with a random, swirling, or horizontal pattern as opposed to the rosetted pattern as a leopard or ocelot. Marbles are available in all colors.

Trill: Bengal mothers make this sweet sound to their kittens, and sometimes to their favorite people.

To be continued.......

Your New Bengal Kitten:

Getting Ready, Planning Ahead:

Bringing kitty home: Since this can be a bit stressful for both the new family as well as for the kitten, here are a few suggestions that may help you both adjust:

1. If possible, allow the expense and let the breeder have the kitten spayed or neutered before you take it home. This will be much less stressful than changing its environment and then putting it under surgery. This is something you'd have to allow for in your budget anyway, since all ethical breeders want this done as soon as possible for the welfare of the kitten. Kittens undergoing surgery between 3 and 4 months recover almost overnight, whereas it will take a six-month-old kitten days longer and incur more stress.

2. If you decide you must have this done yourself, many Bengal breeders have found that this breed does not do well with Ketamine. Make sure your vet uses Isoflorane or another absolutely safe anesthesia for neutering, or any other surgery if it becomes necessary. It's more expensive, but may save the life of your kitten, or prevent the chance of undesirable side effects, or even death. Some breeders may include a caveat in their contract re. Ketamine.

3. When you visit to meet kittens, take a piece of clothing or a towel with your scent on it that can be placed with the bedding of the kitten. This will familiarize the kitten with your scent. For a few extra dollars the breeder may be willing to provide a kitten bed or sleeping mat that carries the scent of its mother and siblings to its new home. This will also help the kitten feel more comfortable in a strange, new place. There are also diffuser plug-ins containing feline pheremones, available online or at pet stores, which can help during the adjustment period.

4. Ask the breeder which brand of food and litter the kitten is accustomed to. Never try to change the kitten's diet immediately, or you may run into GI tract problems. In their brief lifetime thus far, kittens have been adjusting to the diet their mom has been fed. Try to feed the same diet, and change very slowly--starting with a teaspoon at a time added to the original diet--gradually increasing the amount over a period of about two weeks to allow it to adjust to the new food.

5. "Grazing": Try to feed your kitten at least 3 times a day during the early months. It's not a good idea to leave dry food down all day for a kitten. Food oxidizes and nutrition benefits are lost when exposed to air for long periods of time. Bengals are very intelligent--this gives them the idea they can have anything they want anytime--and may become demanding as they get older and /or overweight. More importantly, you need to know if the kitten's appetite wanes. This is the very first indication of an illness! Be on the alert for any and all changes in appetite for this reason, and pay particular attention to the output in the litter box. I can't stress how important this is since it can be a sign of parasites, upper respiratory disease, or stress--which will exacerbate the issue by leaving the kitten open to opportunistic bacterial infections. If this happens, take your kitten to a vet immediately. Remember, your three-month-old kitten probably doesn't weigh much over three pounds. Kittens can dehydrate rapidly and fade overnight if they stop eating and have diarrhea.

6. Loss of appetite: If your kitten seems to have lost its appetite, you can try to perk it up by feeding a little baby food, such as Gerber's chicken or turkey, or any other brand. It's hard to find a kitten or cat that can refuse it! You can also use appetite stimulants such as "Nutra-Cal" (usually available at PetSmart or PetCo), which contains B vitamins. If this doesn't work, don't delay, but get her to the vet as soon as possible. It isn't good for cats to go very long without eating and can cause more problems in the long run.

7. Neuter/Spay: If you have accepted the responsibility to have your kitten neutered or spayed, it's very important to make sure your vet understands that Bengals are extremely sensitive to anesthesia. Never allow a vet to use Ketamine. Some vets may try to convince you that it's safe because of their experience with other kittens or cats; however, this is YOUR kitten, and you will be paying the bill. Tell your vet that you prefer an even safer anesthetic for your kitten, such as Isoflorane, Sevoflorane, or Propofol. During my 20 years of experience with felines, I have heard many first-hand stories of cats that could not tolerate Ketamine, which causes hallucinations, or even death. It is slower to leave the system than other types of anesthesia.

"The Escape Artist," or "How to Discourage Houdini Cats," contributed by "Chanda."

Kianna has taken to running out the door every chance she can. My friend and her daughter live with me, and 9 year olds aren't as quick as escaping Bengals when it comes to who can get out the door fastest! I swear that cat needs a speeding ticket! Water bottles don't work. I swear she laughs at me and just runs out the door faster! I've harness-trained her, but it seems like taking her out makes her want to run out more. It's to the point that I'm ready to put her in the kennel during the day when someone is always running in and out. I've heard of the Scat Mat, but I've never been able to find one. Also, I have 3 well-behaved cats that don't run out, so I don't want something that will scare them. How does the Scat Mat work? I'd like something that can be placed on the other side of the door, so that if she steps outside, she's punished, but at the same time, I don't want something that will hurt her. "Chanda"

Try Googling "Scat Mat"and lots of links will show up. The 9-volt battery produces a little zap like static electricity, which is said to be safe for cats or dogs. Place the Scat Mat in front of the door so that the cat has to step on it to get out. It shouldn't take more than once or twice for her to learn the territory around the door is out of bounds.
##

DECLAW -  Read facts about the procedure first:

Click here

The Sculpter," or "How to Discourage Inappropriate Scratching":

The ideal is for moms to teach their kittens where to scratch by demonstration on appropriate objects provided by their breeder-owner. Cats learn by watching. Then when the kitten transfers to its new home, it's already familiar with the objects that are acceptable. If the kitten is "quarentined" in a small room before being allowed run of the house, this is the ideal time to provide it with proper scratching materials, so he will recognize "his" marks when allowed free run. The ideal place is near his bedding or favorite napping place, so it's there when he gets up to stretch and scratch. There are tons of options available at cat shows as well as places like PetSmart, and other stores with pet supplies. Even home-made objects will be acceptable for a kitten. Your only limit is how much you're willing to spend. Natural catnip usually enhances the attraction to whatever you provide whether it is a piece of carpeting, or an old piece of furniture. Just remember that not all cats are attracted by catnip. Our cats seem to recognize their cat furniture whenever we bring a new cat tree into the house for them. They all have to examine it and try it out!

Here's even another option that worked for this contributor:

WAL-MART sells a utlity floor mat.  It's made from recycled tires by Royal Floor Mats. #2030TRWM1-TRIRIB SM.  Although it has a strong chemical odor, it will go away after a week to 10 days outdoors.  Made in Belgium, designed for tough use and weighing well over a pound, it will stay flat and in place to protect carpeting or rug no matter how hard the cat pulls at the mat.  It's 20" wide by 30" long.  Remove soil trapped by the surface texture with a vacuum cleaner during regular cleaning.
I've had the best luck using the honeycomb design scratching boxes made by www.catclaws.com. They are made in Arkansas, USA, and we've used them for years. They've been safe and dependable, reasonable in price, and the cats love them!
##

"THE SOILER," or "The Usual Suspects" - Litter Box Problems
Much help, courtesy of Suzanne, Abundaots Bengals

It seems that the number one reason cats avoid the litter box is because they don't like the type of cat litter, or they prefer a cleaner box. But it could be any one of the following reasons:

(a) Another resident cat is stopping him from using the box.

(b) Cats are notorious for wanting to pee on plastic bags. Plastic around the house, like empty plastic bags etc., will attract a cat to use it to pee on!

(c) If a cat smells urine in a particular place, e.g., from a former resident, he's likely to cover it with his or her mark. Enzyme cleaners sold at pet stores may solve the problem, or something as simple as vinegar and water. Be careful not to use anything with strong chemicals that might harm the cat.

(d) A cat may be upset about something: A change in routine, such as a new family member, a new room mate (new pet). It may be jealous of the other cat and/or dog and is asking for more attention? Is he given time away from the others in a room where he can be alone? Or it may be he isn't quite comfortable in his new home yet and feels intimidated or afraid.  

Here are some thoughts and tactics:

The "usual suspects?? Could the culprit be another cat showing jealousy over his arrival?

(a) Cat litter? If this is a new cat or kitten, are you using the same litter used in his previous home? If not, try using the same litter, or purchase some regular clay cat litter. Then later introduce the new litter a little bit at a time.

(b) Diet? An immediate change in diet might upset his tummy and cause him to eliminate wherever he finds himself.

c) Type or location of cat boxes? Was he used to an enclosed cat litter box? If you use open boxes, or have boxes located in busy traffic areas, or are too far for him to find right now, that could be a problem. Put his litter box in a private place.

d) If he is loose in the house, it could be that being so new he is not sure of locations yet. Confine him to a small room, like a bathroom, with his own box until he is using it again regularly. He needs to know he cannot do that, so you have to nip this in the bud NOW! Another cat may be intimidating him a wee bit, making him feel the need to mark out some territory. Again, confining him until he remembers his manners is essential. It may not be fun having him alone but this cannot be allowed to continue, or it may become a habit and harder to control.

e) If a cat has a bladder/urinary tract infection, he will urinate indiscriminately. If the above suggestions don't work, you may want to have him checked by the vet for any sign of infection.

Some Do's and Don'ts:

1.  Don't use your hands as a toy to encourage play-wrestling with kittens.  Usa a wand with a toy at the end, or give the kitten a stuffed toy to wrestle with.

If a kitten tries to wrestle with your hand; e.g., falls on its back and tries to catch it with his paws, imitate the kitten high-pitched cry as when they hurt each other when wrestling, and the kitten will almost always look alarmed and back off.  

If the pain cry doesn't get results, make the growl noise instead.  They may not take either of these noises as a permanent threat, but they work most of the time, and usually learn that it means "off limits!".  They're sounds that  litter mates make while playing or rough housing, and mom makes when weaning them or when she tires of them playing with her tail.

The growl sound usually works well to discourage them from your own meal. Placing your finger on the forehead of a kitten and growling at the same time mimics the behavior of litter mates when they all try to eat from the same food dish.

2.  Don't leave food down for the kitten to graze at will.

The kitten will learn that food always should be available and later demand food throughout the day, It will be more likely to become overweight, and spoiled.  A very important clue to when a kitten is becoming ill is that it will stop eating; they may stop immediately, or gradually, so that you don't detect it right away; so a failing appepetite could go undetected--especially if you have more than one kitten or cat and feed them together. Good training is to feed each kitten in his pet taxi. He'll learn to like his taxi, so will go into it easily when you need him to for trips to the vet, etc.

3. Don't assume your Bengal kitten will love his first bath.

Besides the Bengal breed, many other kittens and cats will play with water. I saw a great video of someone teaching their Bengal kitten not to fear water. He ran water into the bathroom sink while enticing the kitten with a kibble. While the water was running, he wet his finger and let the kitten smell it. Then he wet his hand and stroked the kitten; in between he offered the kitten a piece of kibble. He continued this until the kitten was comfortable and becoming curious about the running water. Then he lightly splashed the water, and the kitten began to take interest in it, watching the water move in the sink. Soon the kitten began sticking his paws into the flow from the faucet and had a great time playing with the water. This training can be of great benefit for people who have mild allergies, as they'll be able to bathe their cat weekly to reduce the amount of protein from the fur, deposited when the cat grooms itself.

Everything Is a Toy!

The f irst thing to realize is that his behavior when you are gone is  not meant to be destructive. Bengals, like all hybrids, are overly curious. They think things through when they do things. He isn't trying to get  back at you for leaving, he's finding something to amuse himself while you're away. Often, it's best to understand that is just their nature to make playthings out of anything, and accommodate your life around that. That may mean keeping pretty decorations put away, or keeping him in a  separate room away from breakable objects. I always tell people that are buying a hybrid from me, they have to baby-proof their  house from floor to ceiling...forever. This playful streak may never go away.  It's one of the reasons people like hybrids so much, but also why  people can get frustrated with them.

Kelli says:

I have one that sits on  the kitchen table (which always seems to accumulate clutter in my house), and  he will pick up something with his paw, look over the edge, and throw it on another  cat. If he misses, he'll pick up something else, and keep trying until he hits his target. Once he succeeds he'll jump down and go on his merry way.   But he won't stop throwing things until then. He isn't trying to be  destructive, he's having fun...and he obviously has a sense of humor about  it!

Thank you, Kelli! I see my Bengals do so many things that have convinced me that they're comedians as well as problem solvers.
s. ##

"So where's the fast food?"

Nutrition Thoughts from Anna of New Zealand. Thank you, Anna, for your contribution!

Healthier foods are not always going to win the taste test!

By the way, fast dietary changes, even onto a better food, can often be the cause of vomiting or an upset tum - that doesn't reflect on the quality of the diet or whether the diet suits your cats or not.

I find fast changes between lower quality foods causes less upsets than changing from lower to higher quality. This is usually because a better food tends to be more concentrated and has less fillers. When you consider that cats eats to satisfy their energy requirements first and foremost, and if they are used to a less energy-dense food, they are of course going to eat too much! The longer they stay on a food the more they adjust their appetite to the quality of the food. By offering them as much as they wish to eat of a higher quality food they will more than likely eat too much and the result is vomiting or an upset stomach.

Cats are creatures of habit and need a slower change than usual when you move from lower to higher quality. Studies have already proven the type and number of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract actually alter to suit the diet fed. This is why you should notice that over time a cat eats less and less once it's been on a high quality food for a while. If you like, the body literally reprograms itself in order to get the maximum possible out of the diet.  

The other thing to keep in mind is pet food companies making lower-quality diets realise cats won't eat them without tempting them with added flavours, so taste testing sadly will not indicate the quality of the diet, only how tasty it is (artificially or naturally).

A good example is to consider feeding a child. Put dessert and a healthy meal in front of them - which do you think they'll eat first?
##

"Went to cat show, had lunch, crashed!"

FOR OTHER CAT FANCIERS, RESCUERS, ETC. :

Recipe for Kitten Formula, Generously donated by Heather R.:

To 1 cup boiling water, stir in: 2 packages of Knox gelatin.
While water is still very, very hot separate three egg yolks from the whites (raw egg white is very bad and will bind biotin, an essential B vitamin if used) and plop them into the hot, hot water mix: Beat very well.
To this add 3 tablespoons of regular (Hellmanns works great) mayo, 3 tablespoons Karo syrup and 3 tablespoons of unsweetened, unflavoured whole milk yogurt: Beat very well.
Then add 1 cup of evaporated whole milk (Carnation evaporated whole milk with added vitamin A&D) NOT SWEETENED CONDENSED.
I have run the nutrient analysis and this comes closest to feline milk that I have come up with to date.
It gells when cold and makes an excellent first food.  I have never had diarrhea from it.  Keep it in the refrigerator for no longer than one (1) week.  Discard after a week and make fresh. 
If you want to try substituting evaporated canned goats milk for the Carnation, give it a try...but I am not certain of the protein content. 
Whole uncanned goats' milk has the same issue as whole cows milk...big protein molecules in a casein/whey ratio that is not the same as feline milk.  Canned of either, partially hydrolyses the big molecules and makes the protein easier to digest.
Good luck! ##

Sources about Bengals to enjoy

The new 3rd and totally revised edition is packed full of information on Bengals, including the history of the breed, the various colors, plus chapters on health, care, and training. There are more than 100 full color photos of some of the most gorgeous Bengal cats from all over the world. 118 pages, softcover. A MUST for the new Bengal owner.
Contact:  gogees@aol.com

Photo credits:
Kittens in litter box, Doreen, Drinkwater Bengals
Fast food kitty, Pam, Honeymas Pride Bengals
Scratching heart kitty, Leslie, Avanti Bengals
"Crashed," Anthony, Jungletrax

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