Whiny Bengal

[Ronin's Okaa]

Ronin’s almost 5 months now, the vet said he’ll be awake more here and there during the day but it’s freaking me out! I feed him well and secure him in his room before leaving for work. Of course I have a Roni-Cam monitoring his every move and now notice instead of going straight to bed after eating he’s tooling around more and just awake for no reason (not always but more). Mind you NOT playing with the Emporium O’ Fun I’ve set up for him in there (UUUGH!!). Sometimes he calls for me but it’s waaay before I normally get home. Here’s the heartbreaking part **READER DISCRETION ADVISED!!** as he calls for me then waits by the door! He eventually goes back to sleep and doesn’t seem psychologically damaged but how do you not die a little! I keep white noise on for him “Forest river” during the day and “Box Fan on Medium Speed” at night. I was comfortable knowing our time apart was being used efficiently since I'm unable to sleep with him at night (like I planned!!).

I worry he’s “emotionally exhausting” himself unnecessarily, we have the bedtime routine for that lol. I also worry that he’s bored out of his mind and is mentally wasting away. The puzzles and toys don’t just grab his attention unless I’m home even then he figures everything out immediatly. I’ve hidden treats around the room but he finishes them before I even close the door! I have the ability to speak to him via the cam but refrain so I don’t confuse him or give false hope that I’m around or close.

Is this something that should be breaking my icy heart? Is he out growing his room? (there’s NO way I can imagine him roaming free yet without supervision). My human empathy feels like he’s betrayed by his very own mother daily but I’m almost sure that’s not his take but what is???

 

[danteshuman]

Is he neutered? Why is he only allowed in 1 room? Do you rotate your toys & puzzle feeders (you can make your own puzzle feeders.) Does he have a cat buddy to play with?

Have you catified your home? Bengals LOVE to climb. So all the cat trees & shelves you can find. A bird watching window (plus a place by the window to lounge) ... if you feed the birds by the window you have cat TV Many Bengals also love daily walks (after you harness train them.)

A regular cat would feel closed in, being trapped in 1 room 24/7. Bengals have more energy than regular cats..... so being locked in a room would be harder on him.

 

[Hellenww]

Us cat parents can drive ourselve crazy with worry. 5 months seem old enough to let a cat roam at home but I'm not familiar with bengals. Is he getting into dangerous things when your home or in his room while your out? Maybe do a test run on your day off. Go out for an hour or 2 and let him roam. He will be less bored.

Do you have perches near windows he can look out? Do you have the option to put bird feeders out?

Here's an afticle on kitten proofing to prepare yourself.

Kitten Proofing Your Home: 13 Practical Tips

 

[Kieka]

He could be just testing to see if meowing will bring you back. It doesn’t hurt him to know that you aren’t coming back and he is very much loved. My cats are indoor/outdoor but my little girl refuses to use the cat door. If I go outside to feed the rabbit or just sit on the porch without her she will cry and cry until I open the door and let her join me. My Mom says that she does he same thing when I leave to work. But usually after she realizes I am not coming back, she goes back to normal as if nothing had just happened. The only time she gets really anxious is when I don’t open a door to let her join me outside (which is usually when I don’t notice her or I am literally outside for less than 60 seconds). I think your seeing a little separation anxiety and a little testing of reactions. If he is settling back down easily after trying then he is handling it well and I wouldn’t worry.

I do wonder though if he would do well with a buddy cat to keep him engaged during the day. The downside is from what I’ve heard of Ronins energy level you’d need another Bengal or a Siamese might work. High energy and smart. But I had just my Link for a year when Rocket joined our home. Totally unplanned and we weren’t going to keep her. But Link took to her immediately and she loved him. They keep each other busy and engage in play giving me a little breathing space so that I am not the primary source of entertainment for Link.

 

[Ronin's Okaa]

Is he neutered? Why is he only allowed in 1 room? Do you rotate your toys & puzzle feeders (you can make your own puzzle feeders.) Does he have a cat buddy to play with?

Have you catified your home? Bengals LOVE to climb. So all the cat trees & shelves you can find. A bird watching window (plus a place by the window to lounge) ... if you feed the birds by the window you have cat TV Many Bengals also love daily walks (after you harness train them.)

A regular cat would feel closed in, being trapped in 1 room 24/7. Bengals have more energy than regular cats..... so being locked in a room would be harder on him.

*Neutered 4/25

*He's a Bengal kitten, I wouldn't have a home to come to if he were tumbling free daily while I'm at work. For his safety and my sanity he MUST be secured when not supervised.

*I do rotate toys & puzzles but he makes quick work of anything. It's more rewarding when I hide treats around the house. That does work but like I said that's when I'm present.

*Nothing personal against you or the question at all but the suggestion of 'getting a second cat' is like #2 on the general advice list, is beyond me and not a real resolution in my opinion. Do people really just grab another kitten that aren't truly in the market for one to resolve challenges with the first one? He's my sole animal companion by specific design and I have no desire to have another to share his attention with.

*Yes, Window perches
*Currently Harness training
As mentioned he doesn't engage with much when I'm not around.

 

[susanm9006]

Any cat, Bengal or not, at his age wants to roam freely through their home and not be confined to a single room. Kitten proofing might mean removing everything breakable or securing things down but I don’t think he is going to be a happy cat unless you give him more space.

 

[Kieka]

When the challenges with a cat or kitten are tied to boredom, yes it is not uncommon to get a second for that purpose. I know in my case, it was unplanned and the second was very literally dropped on my doorstep one day. I do respect when people don’t want to get a second cat and understand the choice. But it doesn’t hurt to mention it as a possibility if that wasn’t a known factor.

I know you’ve put a lot of time and energy into Ronin and in the brief time you’ve been with us it is evident you care deeply. I am sure your choice to keep him confined is warranted. He is a teenage kitty ball of energy. He sounds like a master of mischief. I wouldn’t worry about his short term crying since he is settling after. Smart cats will push boundaries and will figure out ways to entertain themselves.

Hopefully, in a few months, he will settle a little more and be a little more trustworthy with access to the rest of the home.

 

[Ronin's Okaa]

He could be just testing to see if meowing will bring you back. It doesn’t hurt him to know that you aren’t coming back and he is very much loved. My cats are indoor/outdoor but my little girl refuses to use the cat door. If I go outside to feed the rabbit or just sit on the porch without her she will cry and cry until I open the door and let her join me. My Mom says that she does he same thing when I leave to work. But usually after she realizes I am not coming back, she goes back to normal as if nothing had just happened. The only time she gets really anxious is when I don’t open a door to let her join me outside (which is usually when I don’t notice her or I am literally outside for less than 60 seconds). I think your seeing a little separation anxiety and a little testing of reactions. If he is settling back down easily after trying then he is handling it well and I wouldn’t worry.

I do wonder though if he would do well with a buddy cat to keep him engaged during the day. The downside is from what I’ve heard of Ronins energy level you’d need another Bengal or a Siamese might work. High energy and smart. But I had just my Link for a year when Rocket joined our home. Totally unplanned and we weren’t going to keep her. But Link took to her immediately and she loved him. They keep each other busy and engage in play giving me a little breathing space so that I am not the primary source of entertainment for Link.

He actually does calm down in a short period. Much like our bedtime routine, within 15 minutes he goes to bed. Like you said there's a total difference from how he acts when I go in the garage for 30 seconds and when I leave for work. I have zero desire for another, I don't want either of us sharing attention, to be honest it's out of the question for me. But you reminded me I'm pretty lucky that he doesn't have the garage meltdowns during the day I'd DIE if he did! THanks!

 

[Ronin's Okaa]

Any cat, Bengal or not, at his age wants to roam freely through their home and not be confined to a single room. Kitten proofing might mean removing everything breakable or securing things down but I don’t think he is going to be a happy cat unless you give him more space.

I want to clarify he's only in his room when he cannot be supervised (work, bedtime). I'd NEVER just lock an animal in a room all day that would be horrible. The house is "cat proofed" but I'd never trust him to roam until I'm absolute he's safe and I can't guarantee it yet. There's places he's found that no one would EVER think of until he has his paw stuck UNDER the bottom cabinet in the seam above the toe-kick...yeah, so no.

I guess I'll relax knowing he's okay. He's the reason I now go to bed TWO hours later than I normally would so he can get some good play time in before bed so I try to make up for leaving him daily for this pesky job lol.

 

[Timmer]

I'm very confused by your post. Do you have this cat locked in a room all day? I don't get it. The cat should be free to roam the house. You can't keep a bengal locked up. What do you mean he's awake for no reason? He's a cat, not an infant.
I had a bengal. They are extremely active and vocal, very very smart. Do NOT get another cat -- I agree with you on that. Mine did not get along with others and was aggressive.
Cat proof your house and on a weekend when you are home let him out to figure things out.

 

[Ronin's Okaa]

Thanks everyone! He just got neutered and I've been slowly giving him more territory so I'll see how it goes. I'm not one to take the gamble and let him roam just yet unsupervised given his personality so we'll both have to deal with being apart during the day.

I really appreciate the immediate feedback from everyone and am glad to have more insight. I'm pretty surprised you guys would be so comfortable with a Bengal baby + 1400 sf of house but I'd never forgive myself if he hurt himself somehow he's on another level!

 

[Timmer]

Maybe since he is so young, get him used to having his nails clipped and that can prevent them from getting caught on things. Even if you do it yourself with a pair of human clippers just clip the sharp tips off. My bengal was very good about letting me groom him and do his nails. He was a very good cat and very dedicated to me. I am sure in time yours will be like that with you.

 

[Ronin's Okaa]

I'm very confused by your post. Do you have this cat locked in a room all day? I don't get it. The cat should be free to roam the house. You can't keep a bengal locked up. What do you mean he's awake for no reason? He's a cat, not an infant.
I had a bengal. They are extremely active and vocal, very very smart. Do NOT get another cat -- I agree with you on that. Mine did not get along with others and was aggressive.
Cat proof your house and on a weekend when you are home let him out to figure things out.

...While I'm at work (not home) 7.30-4.30 I keep my kitten in a secure room specifically for him. He's only "locked up" UNTIL I get home and let him out of the room (is this a new concept?).

He used to sleep from the moment he was done eating until I came home (to let him out).

I thought this was clear but he's out when I'm home guys...Why would anyone buy a designer cat to lock it away in a room 24/7?

My house is cat proofed but there are things I've witnessed him get into that no one would ever think of. For his safety, while I'm 30 minutes away for 8 hours he stays in his room. I spent THOUSANDS providing him with anything any cat would want in the home and obviously his room.

 

[Kieka]

I’d love to see a photo of Ronins room. I am sure it is absolutely amazing but I am also working on a catio right now so any ideas on clarifying space would be great.

 

[Ronin's Okaa]

Maybe since he is so young, get him used to having his nails clipped and that can prevent them from getting caught on things. Even if you do it yourself with a pair of human clippers just clip the sharp tips off. My bengal was very good about letting me groom him and do his nails. He was a very good cat and very dedicated to me. I am sure in time yours will be like that with you.

Sure when I get home, it's just a bedroom but it's devoted to him which in glad I'm able to do he really needs a devoted space. Now a Catio would be awesome!!

 

[Timmer]

My bengal lived to be 10 and he passed away in January. I gotta tell you, they never really settle down. I got him when he was 3 yrs. old at the shelter. Someone must have been upset that they lost him or else couldn't handle him and let him outside.
He was the best cat but very very vocal. I don't think I ever got more than 5 hours sleep in the 8 years I had him. He was my soulmate. I loved that cat and still cry over the loss.

 

[Ronin's Okaa]

I'm so very sorry to hear that you lost him at only 10! I lost Challice (tabby) in October at 15 years old. I was (and still am) completely heart broken even though I was lucky enough to have all the quality time I did. I did NOT want another cat because it wouldn't be Challice.

After researching heavily I decided on Ronin in December and have been in love ever since. I'm not looking for him to be anything other than him I just want to make sure he's not "sad" and I'm just petrified for his safety as far as having fun of the house.

You never get over the loss but he's exactly what I need to move on. I hope you're coping that's very recent.

 

[Desertmouse]

Hmm...well I have three suggestions given what you said.

The first would be to add more cat shelves to the room he’s in when you’re away. By this I mean something along of the lines of making a cat road of sorts along the top of the room, kind of like giving him a race track up high. I know they also make little bridges that can be used to. Something like this Cat Bridge Layout Ideas ⋆ Catastrophic Creations.

Second would be something along the lines of Kittyo lets owners play with their cat by remote control or some other toy you can control from your phone so you can play with him when you get a break from work.

Last, depending on your hours or who you know, have you considered hiring someone to come by and let him out and maybe even give him a little play time? If you are working into the evening, this might be the perfect job for a neighborhood kid. It would give them a bit of pocket money, get ronin used to other people and give you some peace of mind that he is ok and someone is keeping a eye open for him. Another good option for someone to stay with him would be a senior who is retired. It would give them a reason to get out the house and I bet they would fall in love with your little guy to!

 

[Timmer]

Thank you. I'm sorry for your loss of Challice too.
Why do you think your new baby would be sad?
Yes, Timmer got IBD. It was diagnosed in the late stage and he couldn't move his bowels anymore. The vet suspected he had GI lymphoma too. We saw a GI specialist and had thousands of dollars of tests on him. I was giving him chemo at home and other meds, but his body never responded to any of it. I was heartbroken. He had nothing else wrong with him but there was nothing I could do and he was suffering greatly.
Timmer was always such a happy cat. I used to say I need to be more like him. He always had a good attitude about stuff. But he loved getting into things. If I took my glasses off to rest, he would have the frames in his mouth within seconds. Be careful of the toys, too. I'm sure you are. Timmer used to tear the toys up within minutes after I gave them to him. You know, make sure nothing has buttons or loose shiny things on them that he can swallow. I have this 6 foot tall book case and he used to love getting up on that or on top of the fridge. Loved to be up high to lord over it all, and sometimes I couldn't find him and he would be up there and I swear when I would finally spot him he was laughing at me. I would stand on my toes and reach my lips up and he would look down and reach over and give me a kiss.
I hope you and your sweetie bond like that. I bet you will.