Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hopefully someone can help with this issue because we feel we have exhausted all solutions. We don't want to get rid of our Bengal, but we believe he could kill our two Sphynx cats.

This started almost three years ago when we just had the Bengal and one Sphynx. They both were about two years old. We washed the Sphynx with a medicated shampoo from the vet, the Bengal didn't like the smell, and violently attacked the Sphynx. Before this, they had always been best of friends. Both are neutered males.

Since this instance, we've had to separate them during the day to keep the Sphynx safe, as the Bengal is literally twice his size and very strong. Things got better for a bit and we started to leave them out together, until we came home to the Sphynx having a large, oozing puncture wound from the Bengal.

We recently got a Sphynx kitten because we thought he'd be a good cuddle buddy for our Sphynx cat and a play friend for our playful Bengal. Both cats like the kitten. We also started using the Feliway plug-ins throughout our house, which also seemed to calm things down.

Last night, however, our older Sphynx got his foot stuck in a rung on the table and the Bengal attacked him while he was caught. The sphynx was so scared he started wailing and urinating and totally scratched my husband up. If my husband wasn't there to separate the cats, I seriously think the Bengal would have killed him.

We think the Bengal is totally unpredictable and we are isolating him from our other two cats for good now.

Any suggestions? We feel like failures considering getting him out of our house, but we've tried everything and feel he is a true hazard to the other cats.

Thanks for your help!

Hi There,

Depending on the breeding, some Bengals can be aggressive. I personally would not have one in my multi-cat household.

Your situation is serious enough to consider putting the Bengal on medication. Please ask your vet about prescribing something like clomipramine, or another antidepression/antianxiety drug.

I always tell people that the more cats you have in a home, the more potential problems you will have. Even though the Bengal seems to like the kitten, adding a new cat will almost always affect the resident cats. Perhaps he feels threatened and he may be likely to take it out on the other adult.

Anyway, I would tend to keep the Bengal and place the kitten. Unless Bengal Rescue is willing to step in, it is going to be extremely difficult to place an adult with behavioral issues. If you do place him, I recommend that he is the only cat in the home.

Regards,
PHKitkat

Kitkat has a valid point about medication. It can really solve a lot of issues with aggression if used properly and with a lot of supervision.

For sure keep the cats separated until the issue is resolved.
-----
Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Thanks to both of you for your advice. The aggressiveness started approximately 2.5 years before we got the kitten, so I don't believe the kitten is the trigger that set the Bengal off. You are right -- I think the Bengal would work out great if he was the only pet in a household. We'll talk to our vet about medication/behaviorists and then consider placing the Bengal. Thanks again.

You may consider separating them and re introducing them to each other as you would a brand new pet and only have them together while you are supervising them. I have see where people have posted that approach and it has helped the situation. Give lots of attention and affection to your Bengal when the other kitten is around so he still feels like top cat.

I have 2 bengals and love both of them so much. Bengals can be very sensitive to medication. I would hate to hear your bengal got sick from the meds.

You also mentioned about some creams that you have to use on your kitten that may have gotten the bengal triggered to the kitten. I know my cats are very sensitive to catnip and cleaning solutions (especially when I clean the bathroom) and it sets them off to a growling hissing wrestling match so I have to lock them out of the room till the cleaners evaporate.

It could be a combination of the creams on the kitten and your Bengal being jealous. If you decide to rehome your cat I hope you find someone who really loves Bengals.

kathy

Thanks for all of your suggestions. We had our Bengal at another house for 2 weeks to completely separate him and our adult Sphynx. We tried to bring him back on Friday and the Sphynx immediately got scared and hid. The Bengal looked like he was trying to hunt the Sphynx and looked like he was going to attack again.

Sadly, we have now decided to place the Bengal. Should we contact the breeder we bought him from or what would be the best way to go about finding him a good home that understands and loves the breed and doesn't have other cats?

Thanks.

I am sorry that things aren't working out. By all means contact the breeder, but you might also want to see if your vet knows of a Begal rescue organization in your area. Also you might try googling for one.

Good luck! I hope you find a home for the cat real soon!
-----
Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Most breeders put in thier contract that they will take the cat back or want to be contacted if you will no longer own the cat.

What area of the country are you in? There are a couple of Bengal rescues, maybe I can provide you some info.

Please dont send it to a shelter. There are many message boards online for Bengal lovers, and you may find someone online that would love to adopt.

(Unfortunately I have been mandated to stop at my 2. Probably a good thing, if it werent for my hubby, I would probably have dozens of them!)

kathy