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What to Expect from Your New Kitten
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Introducing a Bengal Cat to His New Home
Congratulations on your beautiful, new friend.
Bringing home a new kitten is a stressful time for your new pet. These
are some "tips" to get you both through these important first few days.
Don't bring your kitten(s) home and put it in the house and expect it
to "find" it's litter box, food , etc. Put it in ONE room with the door
closed when you leave. The kittens need a "safe place" where they have
their bed, food water, stuffed animal friend, and litter box. It can be
a spare bathroom (keep the toilet closed please)! Laundry room,
wherever. Just make sure it is SAFE and SECURE!! Show them the litter
box, food and water.
Move SLOWLY AND CALMLY and talk GENTLY.
Get down on the floor and be at the kittens level. Do not let you kid's
race around him. He/she may be skittish and scared. Let him/her adjust
to their new home before you try anything. If he meows a lot, just like
when a baby would cry, check that he/she knows where the litter box is
and is not hungry or thirsty.
Introductions to other pets MUST be cautious and slow.
Be careful! It takes awhile for old pets to adjust to the new pet.
Often, putting them in a carrier or cage in the main room so the pets
can get used to each other works well. PLEASE SUPERVISE!!!! After a few
days you will notice he/she will relax and feel more comfortable.
That can be directed at people and other cats. It is usually associated
with early weaning, a shift to predatory behavior, or rough play by the
cat's owners. Kittens experience stages of social play (3 to 12 weeks
of age) and social fighting (14 weeks and older) that develop skills
necessary for hunting. Play becomes well developed at 6 to 8 weeks of
age and kittens can exhibit independent predatory behavior by 5 weeks
of age. Play aggression may develop when the kitten's mother or
siblings do not correct it when it hurts them.
Aggressive cats crouch and hide, waiting for movement.
They pounce, using teeth and claws, and quickly flee. It is important
to abort this behavior by startling the cat with a loud noises.
Only play with the cat using cat toys, never with your hands.
The cat must learn to distinguish your body parts from its toys. If the
cat scratches you during play, startle the cat and stop the play. Cat
toys should be checked frequently for wear and replaced if they are
damaged.
Increase the cat's aerobic exercise.
You can throw a cat toy for your cat to bat around the room or place a
treat on top of a scratching post that will fall if your cat scratches
energetically. You can also attach a toy to a string and pull it around
the house for your cat to chase.
Getting another cat often reduces play aggression. The additional cat provides another outlet for play and often corrects the aggressive behavior within the feline social system.
If play aggression continues, banish the cat to another room. This
is the best time to teach them NO. Believe me this word they do learn.
I often am running around the home telling my cats "NO DON'T YOU DARE."
They know what I am saying by now, it works.
Provide a scratching post with rope and carpet.
I also use a toy with card board in the middle that the kittens love to
use. You will often see it at my home. Most of my kittens will have
learned to use a post before you even get them. Yes, I say this in
truth. Come to my home and look at my living room couch and you will
see that there is no scratching going on with my furniture. That is a
NO NO! I have lots of things for Bengal kittens and cats to learn on.
Also the pet Bengal around my home teach the young Bengal kittens. They
learn a lot from the older Bengal cats.
Biting
Bengal Cats have a social system in which some individuals rank
higher than others. Occasionally, Bengal cats attempt to manipulate
their owners in a manner called assertion, or status-related
aggression. This aggression usually develops at social maturity (2 to 4
years of age). I myself have not yet experienced this except for some
studs and I attribute that to the fact that they are Bengal Studs with
raging hormones at times. You can rest assure that a Bengal cat that
you get from most qualified breeders who know how to breed and
socialize, this will never happen. Having a 5 year Generation in hand
helps. You want to know who was breed to who.Be sure to clean and
disinfect cat scratches or bites and seek medical
attention if the injury becomes infected. DO NOT USE HYDRO PEROXIDE.
You want the wound to bleed out.
This is very common. It is like teething. There are a lot of ways to
deal with it but just like a baby you have to go threw this stage. When
you buy your Bengal kitten I will go over things you can do. I am
always coming up with new product that help with this issue so please
give me a call and find out what is new on the market. They are always
coming up with something new for Bengal kittens, any kittens to chew
on. All good news. They now have new treats that are hard that are just
for this behavior and toys that are frozen which that taste like
chicken and Bengal kittens will turn their attention to chewing on
that. I must point out is a normal stage, like a baby, they will out
grown this when their teeth come in.
Bites from a Bengal or any cat are the
second dirtiest bite you can get. This I and other breeders know WELL.
You can get a very severe infection from a Bengal or any cat bite. My
first one sent me to the hospital for 3 days. So don't play around,
clean it out well and even seek medical attention if it is a deep bite.
Teach your children not to go up to strange and unknown cats. This can
be very dangerous. They are not all as friendly as your own pet.
Cat box issues
This is by far the most common issue for ALL cat owners. It is
frustrating when you realize your beloved cat is urinating outside of
the litter box. This issue is By far the most common wide spread and
faces every breed and both sexes equally. The first thing to do is make
sure your animals is spay or neutered. Animals of both sexes will
routinely "spray" when they are in season or an in season animal is in
close proximity.
The next thing to do is insure that you have at LEAST one litter box
per cat in your household. If you have a very large household, it may
require multiple boxes in various locations. Also consider the type of
litter your cat likes best. Most cats prefer the very small grained
hard clumping litters to all others. It is easy on their paws. There
has been some success in using the attractant type litters as reported
by some owners. Some cats prefer covered litter boxes and others do
not. Trial and error is what is required here. Try both and see which
is more used by your cat(s).
Litter boxes must be scooped at least once per day. The entire box must
be dumped regularly and cleaned with a bleach and water solution. This
also keeps parasites from becoming a problem. If you have done these
things and your cat is still urinating or defecating outside of the
box, you need to consider other potential reasons. Cats "spray" for
many reasons. One can be a neighbor cat who is urinating outside and
your cat smells it. It can be a neighbor cat simply on your property.
It can be multiple cats in the household and they are competing to
"mark" their territory.
Cleaning up after such "accidents" is critical, and difficult. You need
to find a good enzymatic cleaner. There are different opinions on which
one is best. Various breeders on the lists recommend products such as :
Bio-Matic (we can refer you); Anti-Icky Poo; Natures Miracle and a
number of others. Sometimes, if elimination is occurring in one
specific area such as in a corner or against a wall, you need to cover
that area so that further elimination in that spot cannot occur.
Sometimes, placing a litter box over the area will help.
If you have tried the above tips and are still having problems, I would
suggest a vet visit. A urinary tract infection can cause your pet to
need to go frequently or painful urination. Your vet can do a simple
test and determine if this is the problem. If so, an antibiotic can
quickly resolve the problem.
There are some animals for which there does not appear to be a solution
to the problem. Work closely with your veterinarian to eliminate all
rational causes of the problem. In rare cases, there are cats that
simply are incompatible with an inside existence unless they are caged
or confined to a cleanable area. Further sources of information:
Bringing your new kitten home can be a VERY exciting time! However,
rushing your kitten to have access to your home before it is ready can
be a very costly and frustrating mistake.
We are Green!
This is where I have to step in and say that we really are a "GREEN
CATTERY." We use WOODY PET for cat litter. It can be bought at any feed
store. They usually use it in horse stalls and it is not at all
expensive. We pay $6.00 for 40 lb.. And when we are finished with it we
just dumb it into the yard recycle container. This also cuts down on
the odor in my home. People often come over and notice that my home
does not smell and with all the Bengal kittens and cats running around
at times and the fact I have been doing this for 10 years, well I give
myself a pat on the back when I still get that complement. I will show
people when they are over so when and if you come to my cattery you
will have this pointed out to you. And yes, always one litter box for
each cat.
Most of the time, we forget just what we are asking these young ones to
do. They leave the only home they have ever known. They leave their
mother and litter mates. All of those things that give them security
and peace, we remove in a matter of moments. Sure you love them and
will care for them. But THEY don't know that. All they know is that
they are alone and have no idea where their family has gone.
This is one reason that removing a kitten any earlier than 10-12 weeks
of age is just asking for a kitten with behavior issues. Mothers and
litter mates teach young kittens how hard is too hard to bite. How much
play is too much and that no matter how much they want to play and run
around, when mother says it is time to stop for a bath, IT IS BATH
TIME!
FEEDING
Bengal Cats are "true Carnivores".
True Carnivores are made to eat RAW MEAT. Bengal's in particular relish
a part raw diet. Raw beef is also appreciated. Raw beef is also
appreciated. Watch them go crazy for it, and do their primal growl!
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER feed raw pork. You WILL be sorry.
Most of us grew up feeding our animals out of bags or cans, so a
biologically appropriate raw food program may seem unusual at first.
But feeding dogs and cats raw food is not a new idea. Commercial pet
foods have only been around for 65 years. What did people do before
bags and cans?
People fed their animals butcher scraps or table scraps. I have never
fed my animals processed food, even as a child, my family fed raw
scraps to our animals.
The average lifespan of dogs and cats now is ridiculously short. They
should be living twice as long! I had a tabby that lived to 21. It was
a rescue cat and very sick when I got her. I improved her life with
natural, healthy, raw food meals and organic supplements, all natural
dry food, no drugs, no chemicals.
I live on raw food, too. I don't eat raw meat or raw fish, but juice
veggies and I add some of the pulp of carrot with their meat. I truly
believe that raw food help the immune system. I love my vegetables now!
Nothing like a big bowl of spinach.
Taught By My Mom
This extra time also allows kittens and moms to wean naturally and
slowly. They learn how and what to eat and where to eliminate all from
carefully observing their mother. My moms will actually pick up a
kitten by the scruff and bring it to a litter box or food bowl if they
don't get the idea right away.
Before Your New Kittens Arrival
Before its arrival. So,
now that you have agreed to leave the kitten with mom until the proper
time, we will discuss bringing your little one home. Before its
arrival, make sure you have the exact food its breeder was feeding. A
total change in its life, is not the time to introduce a new food as
well. Choose a small place for the kitten to call home. A bathroom
works well for the first week or so. Put in a litter box with the same
litter the breeder used. Put in a food and water bowl which can't be
easily tipped over. Do not put the food next to the litter box.
Opposite sides of the room work best. Also, put in a fleece bed for the
kitten to lay in. Getting a towel from the breeder with the scent of
the litter mates can be helpful for those first difficult nights away
from home.
Make sure before you bring your kitten home to make an appointment with
a vet so that you can swing by on the way home and get a fecal test,
any shots that are due and a Leukemia and Aids test. This will allow
you to feel better about the health of your new arrival. And if any
problem should be detected, you can let the breeder know immediately so
steps can be taken to correct
Feeding Bengal Cats First of all, when taking a BENGAL kitten home is
not good to change the diet from the breeders. Your kitten has been
eating ROYAL CANIN BABY CAT OR KITTEN or TASTE OF THE WILD, NATURAL
BALANCE AND EVO and a few other that are grain free is what I suggest
that you feed you Bengal cat.
Dry food is "free fed". It is available all the time. Doing this
instead of meal times allows the kitten to eat just what they need at
the moment so when full grown they will not over eat and become "fat
cats". They will eat just what they need because they know it will not
be taken away to return at some time later in the day. Just like us, it
is better to eat a lot of small meals throughout the day. SOME canned
foods are acceptable in small amounts. But since THE CHINESE
ABUSE they have to have only good ingredients, no
preservatives. I make my own too or they are feed raw London Broil. Boy
do the Bengal cats and kittens go wild over this. Remind me to
show you. There is a picture on this site of a whole bunch of Bengal
cats around one plate. It is a great treat. I prefer
to feed pets mostly dry because you will find that you will have less
dental problems. Ekim is 5 years old and has hardly ever touched
wet food and his teeth are still clean. This is true, look into
his mouth when you come by!! Please do not feed your kitten grocery
store brands. They are full of artificial preservatives, color and JUNK
INGREDIENTS. Some can make your cat vomit. It is an a allergic reaction
to something horrible in the food.
DO NOT CHANGE food, keep you
Bengal kitten on what he/she is used to. If you want your kitten to
live a long, healthy life, feed it right. If your Bengal kitten gets
"the runs," cut out any canned food. If you feed him / her only cut up
raw beef the problem will stop. After the stools are firm again give
him/her give the dry food also, because feeding JUST raw meats can
cause severe dietary deficiencies.
Bengal Cats LOVE Running Drinking Water
A fountain is a must have around my Bengal kittens and cats.
If I was just to have a bowl the water would be all over the place.
They love to wash their paws after eating and using the litter box. (I
have a separate bowl for that) It is the running water the Bengal cats
and Bengal kittens love most .
Bengal Cat Shots & Vet Care
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD VET. Check around for his/her reputation. Just like you would your own Doctor.
NEVER USE THE FIP INTRANASAL vaccine.
If you have a question, PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL ME. PLEASE! Health
records are included with your kitten, and decreases the chances or
URI's occurring. I have a negative FIP/FELV cattery so our cats are not
considered "high risks". I use a very conservative vaccination
schedule, with one combo shot WITHOUT CLYMIDIA, three to four weeks
apart. You get the CLYMIDIA at a year old.
Don't worm your kitten if it doesn't have worms.
Have your vet do a fecal check when you are in for his/her shot. If you
see little rice pieces on kitty's hind end, she/he has tapeworms. These
are the egg cases. I do recommend having your Bengal cats stools
check twice a year. Depending where you live there are higher risk for
tape worm and round worms and you don't want that hanging around in you
Bengal cats tummy to long. Yuck!
Taking Your Bengal Cat / Kitten Outside
If you teach your cat to go into its carrier for a short ride this will
help desensitize them when it comes time for vet trips/ext. Obviously
watch out and don't leave them in a HOT CAR.
I don't let my cats outside without me.
I use a leash or proper harness. An average cat live-span is 16 years.
The average lifespan of a cat that goes outside ALONE is THREE YEARS.
Get the idea? An outside pen with shade is great also. Make sure it is
escape proof and safe. With all the building of homes we are
doing we are constantly giving nature, coyotes, less room to live and
feed. The Bengal and any pet looks like a good meal to them and
why not. They are hunger and don't know any better and who's
fault is that?
Neutering or Spaying is a MUST.
An unaltered Bengal cat, or any cat, of any sex will cycle, call
incessantly, become smelly and generally become loud and obnoxious. If
you think I am overstating it, come over when a Bengal Queen is in
heat. Not only that but they can get hormonal and SPRAY your home to
mark their territory. Many will tell you just how hard it is to
get that smell out. Also other pets will return to that area
believing it is a place that they are welcome to use as a litter box.
Please do not allow your kitten into "high risk" situations.
Meaning when you bring you Bengal kitten home I want you to keep
him/her away from other pets for at least 10 days so they will not be
introduced OR introduce any illness into your home. Do not mix the
kitten with ill cats or cats that go outside and inside.
Do not take your cat to a shelter, pet store, or any other place where viruses are lurking.
When you do take your kitten to the vet, leave it in its crate 'till
the doctor comes into the room, at which time take a clean towel
(brought by you from home) and lay it on the table. When the vet is
finished put the Bengal kitten/cat back into the carrier. SICK
CATS/KITTENS GO TO THE VET, TOO.
Do Bengal Cats Get Along with Dogs?
I think this pictures answer that question very well. Though the
years I have been asked that question and all I can say is YES. I
did, in the beginning have nothing to stand on with that answer.
However threw the years I have received MANY pictures back from new
Bengal owners with their Bengal and dog in somewhat of this same
position. I love it!
Bengal Cat Bathing, Oh what fun.
I do not bath my cats! Cats are very clean animals, and with proper
care should not need regular bathing. It is different when they
are breeding and then some must be bathed. How ever not in
general, but there comes along some situations that a bath is
needed. Use your judgment.
Trimming Bengal Kitten/Cat Nails
Keep his NAILS TRIMMED. I use baby nail trimmers. I do the nails WEEKLY.
He/she will not move as much while being held by the scruff of the
neck, like a Mother cat carries her kittens, this will kind of
tranquilize the kitten. It is important you keep the nails short; not
only will you and your furniture not get scratched, also he will get
used to getting the nails trimmed. Please be careful not to cut the
pink area of the nail. This is a nerve and blood area. Do this in a
well-lighted area, preferably with a friend to help you. If you need
to....Gently hold him by the scruff of the neck. Nature's way of the
parents to move the kitten. It will NOT hurt him. When my Bengal
kittens are young I play around and hold they foot pads where the
nails are. If you touch them a lot and keep this up you will have
no problem cutting their nails for many year. My pet FAME likes
to make biscuits on me and in the middle of the night if her nails are
too long, I can stop her and just cut her nail without a problem at
all. I have come to love this!!
After you are done give him/her a treat of meat or whatever he likes.
Tell him/her "GOOD CAT!" (OR KITTY). Make this fun. De-clawing is the
very last alternative, and should one used in EXTREME cases. TRY TO
AVOID THIS PROCEDURE. It is not only painful to your cat, but also it
can cause other serious behavioral issues, such as biting and
inappropriate elimination.
For people that just HAVE TO HAVE IT DONE, GO LASER. THERE IS NO CUTTING OFF OF THE BONE.
Clipped nails won't scratch up things up!
I also by a product called "the cat scratcher" which can be found a
K-Mart, Wal Mart, etc. It is a cardboard scratching toy with cat nip in
it. These kittens already use it and love it! Buy several! They are
cheap! Cat trees also encourage you kitten to scratch in an appropriate
place, plus cats LOVE being high up!
Cat trees are wonderful! Have more than one!
BENGAL CATS AND KITTENS ARE GENTLE WITH CHILDREN
Kismet01@cox.net
