Bengal? Mix? Aggressive personality?

brittanyk22 · Feb 5, 2013

I know that there's no way to prove a breed of a cat without papers, based on what I've read just today. I adopted my cat from the animal shelter where I'm from about a month ago. He was there for about a week and was found as a stray. He is about 5 months old (from their guessing) now. I'm starting to realize he is different from any cat my family ever owned.

He is extremely vocal, he "chortles" and "skirtles" (as my boyfriend calls it) and other various noises I've never heard cats make. He also "screams" at me when he wants food or wants me out of bed. He is completely obsessed with water, he has jumped in the shower before, is obsessed by the faucet and drinks out of every glass with water in it. He will get in the bathtub anytime, especially after a shower to lick the bottom.

He is extremely active and almost too aggressive...I've had cuts all over since I brought him home (from his teeth). He will converse with me when I talk to him. He seems to have many personality traits that people describe Bengal cats as having such as body language and the way the play. The only time he will calm down is when he goes in his crate with his plush blanket, he will massage it and purr until he relaxes.

His markings are also very distinct, symmetrical down the back and on the sides. He has two dots above his shoulder blades I call owl eyes.

I first was feeding him Iams and he seemed to do well, then I switched to Purina One and it's been awful on his digestive system. I'm thinking about switching to Blue Buffalo. Any advice on breed, how to handle the constant aggression/energy, food, or things in general would be appreciated.

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StefanZ · Feb 5, 2013

A very beautiful cat! If he really may be a bengal of sorts, or at least a look alike, let others tell who knows Bengals better than me. I dont dare.

The head isnt typical, but you never know with pet quality...

But the (mis)behavior should be possible to work with.

I suppose he is neutered? If not, do so.

He is now in the teenage- stages. Thus, full of life and mischef... Which is of course part of the joy of owning a kitten. If one dont like this, do adopt fully adult cats, perhaps even a senior ...

You didnt mention a cat pal? Having a lively cat, and not least, a Bengal, the best defence is to have a friend to him who also is a lively cat... Take a somewhat older, well behaving cat who is cat sociale.

A stuffed animal may also be of some help.

This friend will not only held him company in all these wild cat races and wrestling matches, but also help you curb his overdone biting. These bitings are surely playful and friendly, but as he probably hadnt learned proper behavior from his mom and siblings - he overdoes on you...

So you must help him learn, react if he overdues, yell, and make a short stop in the play... Like his cat pals would do.

Welcome to our Forums!

Good luck!

brittanyk22 · Feb 5, 2013

He is neutered (required when adopting) and definitely "teenage" behavior! I don't mind, just need to stop the constant attacking of my arms/hands. I do not have other animals unfortunately, I have an apartment and just got Gatsby about a month ago. He is definitely dominant at my parents house to our 80 lb lab! The stuffed animal is a good idea; he has a snowman toy that hangs on the doorknob that he wrestles with and carries around with him. Something his size or bigger would probably be a good idea! I've tried clapping, yelling no, walking away (he attacks my legs) and a spray bottle for a short time. Nothing seems to have permanent affects though. Thanks for the advice!

cat person · Feb 5, 2013

brittanyk22 said:
I know that there's no way to prove a breed of a cat without papers, based on what I've read just today.

Okay, I am glad you know that already

. However, I do not see any Bengal in the cat. Yes, a Bengal can be marble. But, not many breeders would have red and white cat, that, would be "allowed" to breed with a Bengal. Unlike, the Savannah breed, the SBT Bengal gene pool is very very large and there aren't many out-crosses used anymore (permissible or non-permissible out-grosses)

I adopted my cat from the animal shelter where I'm from about a month ago. He was there for about a week and was found as a stray. He is about 5 months old (from their guessing) now.

Again, IMHO, that does not sound like a Bengal mix either. In other words, the way you acquired him, doesn't sound like a Bengal cross.

I'm starting to realize he is different from any cat my family ever owned.

I can understand that realization

. My F3 Savannah, is way more work, then, my F1 Bengal ever was. My F3 Savannah, is way crazier then, even my pure African Serval ever was. So, what is the point, of, all this? I am saying all cats, no matter the species make up are individuals. Some are well....just insane

. My F3 Savannah, Loki, is just insane

.

He is extremely vocal, he "chortles" and "skirtles" (as my boyfriend calls it) and other various noises I've never heard cats make.

Now, of course, I have never heard the noises, so, this is just a guess, but, those don't sound like Asian Leopard/ALC cat noises IMHO.

He also "screams" at me when he wants food or wants me out of bed.

Now, that can be a domestic trait too. But, ALC hybrids (F1-F3) do retain a lot of that. My F1 Taro, would "scream" when she was hungry or wanted my attention. Or, just screamed because she wanted to

.

He is completely obsessed with water, he has jumped in the shower before, is obsessed by the faucet and drinks out of every glass with water in it.

My F1 Taro was like that. She would swim in the bathtub, sink, a water dish (well, try to in a water dish anyway

) or any place she could. But, some domestics, will do that too

.

He will get in the bathtub anytime, especially after a shower to lick the bottom.

My pure DSH's will do that. My F1 Bengal never did. Nor does my F3 Savannah.

He is extremely active

Most kittens are very active. Foundation hybrid cats (F1-F4) of the following breeds: Bengal, Chausie, Savannah and Safari are like domestics on speed

.

and almost too aggressive...

Bengals, are NOT aggressive. Since, they come from the Asian Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) without proper socialization they are very spookish cats. They will run and hide LONG BEFORE they will ever bite you. Unless, you are corner them.

I've had cuts all over since I brought him home (from his teeth).

DSH's and DLH's that are not taught proper "manners" often bite. This isn't a inherently Bengal trait either

.

He will converse with me when I talk to him. He seems to have many personality traits that people describe Bengal cats as having such as body language and the way the play. The only time he will calm down is when he goes in his crate with his plush blanket, he will massage it and purr until he relaxes.

Now, that is how my F3 Savannah is. My F1 Bengal, was way calmer and easier to live with.

His markings are also very distinct, symmetrical down the back and on the sides. He has two dots above his shoulder blades I call owl eyes.

If he had the Occeli (false eye spots) behind his ears, then, I might be more convinced of the Bengal heritage. However, from the photo's, he, seems like an extremely handsome domestic

.

I first was feeding him Iams and he seemed to do well, then I switched to Purina One and it's been awful on his digestive system.

I would try for a grain free foods. Like, Evo, Wysong, Wellness, Wellness Core and such foods.

I'm thinking about switching to Blue Buffalo.

That, is a very good food to try IMHO.

Any advice on breed,

Truthfully, I think DSH. Again, that is just my

.

how to handle the constant aggression/energy,

If, he is truly a hybrid, you need to accept that he will be high energy. My F3 Savannah, is almost three years old and is still a wacko. You need to learn, how to modify the cats energy. Meaning, will he play fetch? If so, throw a toy or piece of paper until he or she is panting. Or, you can get a toy, like, a Da Birds and have him chase it until he is panting. Now, as far as, the biting goes, you need to nip that in the bud. My F3 Savannah, when, I got him as a kitten, was, a very very very bitey kitten. My F1 Bengal wasn't, since, I got her as an adult, once, she was retired from the breeder. With my Savannah, it was very important that, whenever, he bit me, I got up and stopped playing with him for a few mins. Most of the times, that, did work. If it didn't work, then, when he bit me, I would shove a stuffed toy, or sock in his mouth. That, always did the trick

.

food,

I think, I covered food

.

or things in general would be appreciated.

I think, I did that with all the stuff above. If you have any more questions, or, need any clarification, please, let me know

.

orientalslave · Feb 5, 2013

He's a lovely ginger classic tabby & white moggie. He may have some Bengal personality, but that's as far as goes - there are no ginger Bengals, no Bengals with white and no Classic Tabby Bengals. Lots of cats other than Bengals are vocal and I love listening to them.

I suspect he's not been socialised very well, and that he is a bright and bored cat. And despite being neutered, he is also being a teenager - he has masses of energy to get rid of.

A large dose of environmental enrichment will probably really help, along with no using your hands for anything except stroking and grooming. No games with hands, or feet.

Da Bird-type toys are fantastic for lots of cats, and if you let the feathers (or whatever) 'hide' he should start stalking as well as chasing, pouncing and jumping. Play several times a day, play for at least 10 minutes, watch the clock as 10 minutes is a lot longer than you think.

If you have stairs with a wall at the top you might find the stair game works - get his attention, throw a small ball up and hopfully he will chase it up & down the stairs.

Hopefully he has a tall sturdy cat tree he can scratch and play on, and hopefully it also provides a high resting place.

Cats like high places, and he might be more inclined to settle down if he has some, head height or higher.

If he is on dry food try putting small amounts around the place, and graduate to hiding it so he has to spend time looking for it, and you can also put some in something he has to work at to get it out of.

Being able to perch on something and look out of the window will entertain him as well, especially if there is a bird feeder out there.

If you can manage a secure outside enclosure (the larger the better) where he has free access that will bring a big bit of variety to his life, and he needs it just as we do.

I'm sure other people have lots of other ideas on how to amuse and exersise him

faecat13 · Feb 6, 2013

Hello

So I have a very high active breed as well. She is just 16 weeks and some days Im like OMG!

Get some cardboard boxes, tape them together and cut holes in them. Make him a card board castle to destroy. Then you can toss is out and start again. its so cheap!

Teach him how to walk on a leash and go out for a stroll. This will get him some exercise and satisfy some of his cat curiosity. They all have it some more than others though.

Take him to the pet store and let him pick out his own toys. I know, this sounds strange. I bought toys for my kitten that she didnt like. So i returned them unused and let her decide which she wanted me to buy she is much happier.

Dont use your own hand as a toy. This just encourages them to bite you. Also when he bites you, queel "ouch" loudly and girl like. This simulates what their litter mates do and he should back off for a little bit. but then let him attack one of his toys.

good luck

suziem92663 · Jan 28, 2015

Sounds like my rescue kitty. We think she is a Bengal mix as well, as she has the markings and the personality. She is very dominant aggressive with all of us in the house. We almost had to rehome her because she would violently attack me for no reason or while she was getting affection. We rescued a small male and that really made the difference. She had a total turn around. She's become very affectionate and a loving and will sit and knead and drool on me for as long as I allow her too. I've also taken the time work with her and train her. She plays fetch with her toys, she comes when I whistle for her, she sits, she shakes and she gives kisses. I've discovered that the more activity I give her and the more time I spend playing with her and that she spends playing with the other cat, she's less aggressive. She'll always be dominate, that's her personality, but you can try working on the aggression with activities. I walked around like you, scratches all over my arms and hands and she had even wrapped herself around my head and dug into my skull and now she doesn't do that! Good luck with your kitty!

tuxedoontheloos · Jan 28, 2015

The water stuff sounds like ny kitty. He's a pure bred moggy and insists on showering with me every morning. He gets quite upset if he misses his water fun play time.

He's also completely hyper. I've been using foraging toys t wean off some of that crazy energy. Maybe that would work for your little guy?. He has a plastic egg that he bats for food to come out, a large cardboard box with holes and tp tubes stuck in it, and an egg carton. I'm thinking of getting an ice cube tray so he can 'forage' wet food too.

The vocal stuff makes me very jealous. I

puddykat · Feb 4, 2015

The first picture says it all - Look human if I do not get my way I will drive out of here, got it?

Rescue cats can be a handfull, we do not know how they were treated, I find that you need to first thnk like a cat thinks - I was just moved to another place I do not know or recognize. I just want to play and find a friend. There are only humans here no cats. Shelter cats are subject to many things one being alot of noise form the many animals they keep. Some cat do well with this and others do not. It takes time to built trust up between a rescue cat and a new owner, it is much different if you have a kitten that has had previous people and or cats around. They train very easy. Street cats are very tough to make into a house cat - they have been living the wild life - they rely on their natural hunting habits to keep themselves alive and once they are put into a house it is hard for them to adjust. You need to be patient and you can never give your pet too much love.

kingdonkey · Mar 24, 2015

I think iv got a half bengal cat, and looking at this cat they share traits. The two stripes by the eyes, the markings on the back, also i read that bengals with have the same marking either side which yours has too. That plus the water sounds like bengal to me.

ValerieB · Jul 24, 2017

brittanyk22 said:
I know that there's no way to prove a breed of a cat without papers, based on what I've read just today. I adopted my cat from the animal shelter where I'm from about a month ago. He was there for about a week and was found as a stray. He is about 5 months old (from their guessing) now. I'm starting to realize he is different from any cat my family ever owned.

He is extremely vocal, he "chortles" and "skirtles" (as my boyfriend calls it) and other various noises I've never heard cats make. He also "screams" at me when he wants food or wants me out of bed. He is completely obsessed with water, he has jumped in the shower before, is obsessed by the faucet and drinks out of every glass with water in it. He will get in the bathtub anytime, especially after a shower to lick the bottom.

He is extremely active and almost too aggressive...I've had cuts all over since I brought him home (from his teeth). He will converse with me when I talk to him. He seems to have many personality traits that people describe Bengal cats as having such as body language and the way the play. The only time he will calm down is when he goes in his crate with his plush blanket, he will massage it and purr until he relaxes.

His markings are also very distinct, symmetrical down the back and on the sides. He has two dots above his shoulder blades I call owl eyes.

I first was feeding him Iams and he seemed to do well, then I switched to Purina One and it's been awful on his digestive system. I'm thinking about switching to Blue Buffalo. Any advice on breed, how to handle the constant aggression/energy, food, or things in general would be appreciated.

IMG-20121231-00279.jpg

brittanyk22

Feb 5, 2013

IMG-20130104-00318.jpg

brittanyk22

Feb 5, 2013

IMG-20130105-00323.jpg

brittanyk22

Feb 5, 2013

IMG-20130106-00327.jpg

brittanyk22

Feb 5, 2013

IMG-20130107-00331.jpg

brittanyk22

Feb 5, 2013

IMG-20130113-00339.jpg

brittanyk22

Feb 5, 2013

IMG-20130205-00448.jpg

brittanyk22

Feb 5, 2013

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brittanyk22

Feb 5, 2013

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brittanyk22

Feb 5, 2013

ValerieB · Jul 24, 2017

Hi
I think I've got the same!
A 4 month old kitten adopted from a shelter in the USA, which I brought back to France, exactly the same markings, same vocal interaction, a very different cat from my previous ones, in love with water, tends to be a little bitey but I do not let her do it at all with me, I re-direct her to her plushy kitty bed which she sucks like a mother cat. For her food I use dry Royal Canin kibbles for kitten second age in the morning and a mixture of wet Royal Canin kitten and kibbles in the evening and she thrives on it, no digestive problems, high high energy, great coat. She is crazy about faucets and trickles of water, and talks all the time. She kisses me (first time I have had a cat doing this

IndyJones · Jul 24, 2017

I'm guessing not a Bengal. He does however bear a striking resemblance to my Indy even personality wise. This marble pattern is called classic or bullseye.

With these hyper cats a companion is usually a good idea, they can become destructive when board.

IndyJones · Jul 24, 2017

Indy is an American Shorthair cross who was born to a very feral mom and an unknown father. She also was the only one in her litter with lynx tips on her ears.

StefanZ · Jul 24, 2017

V ValerieB yyours hAs unusually much contrast for a red tabby. Is she really red??

basscat · Jul 24, 2017

brittanyk22 said:
He is neutered (required when adopting) and definitely "teenage" behavior! I don't mind, just need to stop the constant attacking of my arms/hands. I do not have other animals unfortunately, I have an apartment and just got Gatsby about a month ago. He is definitely dominant at my parents house to our 80 lb lab! The stuffed animal is a good idea; he has a snowman toy that hangs on the doorknob that he wrestles with and carries around with him. Something his size or bigger would probably be a good idea! I've tried clapping, yelling no, walking away (he attacks my legs) and a spray bottle for a short time. Nothing seems to have permanent affects though. Thanks for the advice!

Big boy for 5 months.
Hands are NOT toys! Not sure if two of you can do that or not? Any and every time he goes for a hand bite, say no and leave/walk away for at least five minutes. No hand scrubbing on the floor, tickling, hand taunting, hand teasing. Hands are NOT toys.
If you can do that, the biting thing will taper off in a few months.
If you can't do that, it'll be a couple years before it tapers off, and somebody is probably going to get teeth to the bone hurt. Especially if he keeps getting bigger.
Lots of play. Lots of new toys. but, hands are not toys.

StefanZ · Jul 25, 2017

V ValerieB Now Im at my computer, its easier to write than on the Iphone.

I still think she is unusual for a common red moggie. Neither is the marble pattern is very typical classic tabby, it reminds sooner of the marbles of a marbled bengal.

I do notice she has a white spot on the chin, and some of the white hairs on belly do wander some up into the swirls near the belly. Purebred bengals has never white spots - but we arent talking about purebreds.

But the high contrasts in the swirls isnt only because of the white hairs wandering up. On other pics we can see the contrast is unusually high anyway for a red cat.

So perhaps not just a common red, but for example, a cinnamon? Which is sorts of dark red.
Cinnamon isnt common in the general moggie population, but appears among them purebred.

Thus, I do think here must be an Ancestor. Possibly marbled bengal, if cinnamon is allowed there....

You are now living in France, where roots and old nobility still do matters. Remind them, your sweetie isnt just a typical american self made girl. She does has roots, and she does has Old Ancestry.

She has no papers nor sword, but she has her claws and teeths if it will be anytime necessary to prove and defend.

JimmyJimmy · Jul 25, 2017

I had a lovely pedigree Bengal boy (Barry the Bengal!) for 10+ years who sadly just vanished one summers day a few years ago.He was very active and could be very aggressive- literally like flicking a switch and he could just turn from loveable to possessed! He never really attacked me full on but was fearless with any cat or dog encroaching on his territory.He would also attack any person who entered the space between myself and him.Visitors came to respect and sometimes fear Barry

basscat · Jul 25, 2017

I don't think one can go by personality traits so much.
Our little black fuzzball runs for the hills when a car pulls in the driveway (well, the boat, not hills). She thinks hisses are greetings, afraid of everything, and no stranger dare stick a hand that way else she WILL draw blood. Little black house cat.
The big one.. on the other hand? LOVES COMPANY!!!! And this cat "should" have the exact opposite personality.

Bengal? Mix? Aggressive personality?

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