Is the Bengal an active cat?
Thanks to artist & author Jackie Morris for this photo of Silverstorm Lady Spitifer
Although every cat including the Bengal differs depending on the individual temperament, in general a Bengal is not like your typical domestic cat who will sleep for a good part of the time. Bengal’s have high energy levels due to their wild blood from their Asian Leopard cat ancestors.
Bengal’s love the big outdoors. Of course there are risks in letting your Bengal loose in the big wide world, such as busy roads. You can compromise by building an enclosure or cat proofing your garden, but only you can decide if you live in a suitable place for your Bengal to have its freedom. Bengal’s also love walking. You can buy special walking jackets but often your Bengal willingly follow. To walk with your cat is a magical experience, and if you live in the countryside, or in a wild beautiful place, your Bengal will probably love to walk with you.
I met a lovely lady, Artist and Author Jackie Morris who now has 3 Silverstorm cats and Elmo a ginger tom. She has written a book about walking with her cats full packed the most beautiful photographs. You can read an article on the Guardian’s website about Cat Walk here.
The Asian Leopard cat is almost constantly on the move, hunting for food. It has to be alert, agile and clever to survive in the wild and hunt successfully. The Asian Leopard Cat has passed on these traits to the Bengal. Due to its intelligence inherited from its Asian Leopard ancestor not only is a Bengal extremely athletic, but it also has a very active mind.
So quite an intelligent cat?
Well maybe Silverstorm Indian Summer hasn’t actually learnt to read yet but she is getting there…
The Bengal loves play hide and seek, and will fetch and retrieve toys for you endlessly. Bengal’s sometimes like to hide favourite things, such as pens, hair bands, and cable ties, and hoard them in odd places. I have been told so many funny and incredible stories by my customers, but one story that made me smile was the Silverstorm kitten who had been stealing pound notes and hiding them in his owners shoes!
Many people teach their Bengal to use the toilet. Helena taught her first Bengal ‘Kooga’ to do this.
After Silverstorm Sabre joined their family, he taught himself after he had Kooga a few times.
Emptying the dish washer?
Bengal’s also get along very well with dogs…
Partners in crime, ‘Monkey’ our silver- smoke Bengal has made a hole in the biscuit bag, and is reluctant to share with Pickle!
Peace at last…
Bengal’s seem to have a natural affinity to children, and find child’s play a huge source of fun and entertainment.
A Bengal will love you deeply, and will often find one special person who he will want to be close to, and will follow, talk to you, perch on a shoulder and groom your hair. There is no love like the love of a Bengal. There is a reason people say the Bengal is ‘dog’ like in its devotion to human
Here is Rosy and ‘Pixie’ as a kitten. Pixie grew up to become a Quadruple grand-champion and is ‘Rajahs’ mother.
Rajah and my daughter Rosy
Rosy and Princess when they were both quite young