If you are attracted to wild, leopard-like looking cats, you most likely consider owning a Bengal cat. You may be thinking if this type of cat would be the right fit for you or your family. 

The main reason for choosing a particular breed should be its behavior.  

Important Behavioral Traits to be aware of in Bengal cats:

1. Very high activity level 
2. High playfulness level
3. High vocalization level 
4. High level of furniture scratching 
5. High urine marking inside the house 
6. Lower level on family affection 
7. A higher level of aggression toward family members
8. A higher level of aggression to other cats 
9. High level on songbird predation 

Although Bengals aren’t super affectionate toward their owners, they are sociable cats. Bengals most likely won’t sit on your lap while you are comfortably seated on the couch to read a book or to watch your favorite show. If you are looking for this kind of personality in your future cat, the Bengal breed may not be the right fit for you. 

If you are looking for helpful information about the particular trait listed above, please continue reading.  

9 Important Traits of Bengal Cats

1.Very High Activity Level 

Bengals have a wild nature and high energy levels. They need to use this energy constructively; otherwise, they will be unhappy and make your life at home uneasy.

This breed has a constant need to move, jump, and hunt. These beautiful cats will use every chance they have to climb everywhere in the house. Some places they like to climb to are: the top of the fridge, dressers, cupboards, and other areas that you couldn’t believe they could reach. They are extremely intelligent cats, and they could quickly learn how to open the door, get inside the drawers, or turn on the faucet. 

The smart idea is to have the least possible amount of plants and decorations on surfaces because they will break them while jumping from place to place. 

This video is showing just how active the Bengals are

If you want your Bengal to be happy, you will have to replicate their activity level in nature by positively draining their energy. 

To keep up with their climbing skills, their future owner should consider building a stack of shelves around the house that go as high as possible. Bengals enjoy sitting on a top shelf and observe what’s happening below them.

2.High Playfulness Level 

A very known fact is that Bengals are an extremely playful and active breed. With the constant need to move and high energy level, this breed will expect your full attention and a lot of active play. 

If you’re not working with that energy through play, you’re working against it. Bengals need to be stimulated physically as well as mentally through various toys and activities. 

One great tool to burn their energy and keep them mentally challenged is to have a cat wheel in the house. You can attach a featherhead bird toy to the wheel and satisfy Bengals’ natural predation instincts. 

Did you know that Bengals can jump as high as seven times its body height?

3.High Vocalization Level 

Bengals can be very loud and talkative cats and make many different kinds of noises like meowing, howling, chirping, yowling and more. 

A high vocalization level in this breed is an important fact to consider before owning one. Not everyone can get used to not sleeping, and it can cause severe problems for some owners.

4.High Level of Furniture Scratching 

Every cat needs to sharpen its claws, and Bengals are not an exception. They will use furniture as an option if you don’t provide them with alternative scratching areas. 

Having multiple scratching stations/areas in every room that they spend time in is a must. Over time they will find their favorite one to scratch, but it’s essential to have a lot of scratching options.  

If you are concerned about furniture damages, you can protect it with various cat protectors and scratching tools like: 

• cat scratching furniture protector 
• anti-scratch cat tape (to tape on furniture, doors, countertops and other surfaces) 
• scratch cardboards and
• scratch boxes 

Choices are endless, and they will help to keep your furniture safe.

You can make scratchers by yourself if you’re a handy person. 

5.High Urine Marking Inside the House 

Urine marking is something that cats typically do in nature to mark their territory. When your Bengal house cat marks some furniture or a wall, it makes itself more self-assured and comfortable within their area. 

Urine marking is a way to communicate with other cats that it’s a particular cat’s territory/house.  

Seeing other cats outside might upset your cat, and encourage it to use urine marking to let the other cat know it’s their territory. In this case, blocking the outside view might be helpful. 

Urine marking can also happen in cases where you’re introducing a new cat to your Bengal. 

Marking the territory is commonly found in male cats, although it happens with females as well. Spaying and neutering your cat (before puberty or as an adult cat) effectively eliminates the problem of urine marking in about ninety percent of cats. 

6. Affection to Family Members 

If a cat’s affection is not on your priority list, this breed might be a good fitting for you. Bengals are affectionate if and when they choose to be.  

Since every cat is an individual, some of them may be more affectionate than others. In general, being loving and snuggling is not very common for this breed. Don’t be surprised if your lovely cat is not looking forward to spending a lot of time quietly sitting on a couch with your Bengal. 

They are active and have a constant need to explore. Bengals will follow you everywhere around the house and keep you company while you’re brushing your teeth or taking a shower. However, holding them and picking them up too much is not something they will appreciate a lot.  

7.Aggressiveness Towards Family Members

Bengal’s genetic inheritance influences their behavior which may cause some of them to be more aggressive than others or not aggressive at all.  

Aggression may be directed towards one family member or several family members. Cats can sense fear in humans and are more likely to be aggressive to a person that is afraid of them. A cat may attack or bite you for no reason.

This breed is ranked highly as being aggressive, but it’s important to understand that the term “aggression” doesn’t mean that the cat will definitely scratch or bite- they also tend to growl or show it in their posture. The aggression isn’t always personal; sometimes it means that animal is bored and is not using their energy constructively.  

8.Aggressiveness Toward Other Cats

Bengals are a very territorial breed, and with that comes the fact that they will be aggressive if they feel threatened by other cats.  

If your Bengal spends time outdoors, it will make sure no other cat is hanging around the yard. It will attack and chase other cats and possibly hurt them.  

Bengals can get along very well with other cats if introduced properly, especially if they are kittens growing up with other cats. As being social as they are, they will enjoy playing with other cats and can quickly motivate other cats to be active.  

9.Predation on Songbirds 

Bengals are natural-born hunters and will take every opportunity to chase everything that moves, especially birds. The amazing jungle-like energy that they possess is built into their genetics. 

If the cat has access to the outdoors, it may easily catch prey that’s flying around its territory. Some owners are not impressed with the idea of their cats bringing home dead birds.  

Being excellent jumpers (up to seven times its height) helps them tremendously with their predation.

For Bengals that are indoor cats, it’s helpful to have cat window beds or seats so they can enjoy watching the activity outside. They will make a lot of chirping sounds by watching the birds flying around the yard.  

Despite all these facts that might convince you not to own this breed, all Bengal cat owners will agree that they love their cats deeply.