Welcoming a new Bengal kitten to your family can be a really exciting moment. But before your new furry friend arrives in his new home, there are some important things you should know to make this new adventure a great experience for you and your kitten.
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Step 1 :Be prepared for the Bengal kitten’s arrival
We always suggest isolating your new Bengal cat in a small, calm and stress-free room as soon as he arrives. Make sure you ‘kitty-proof’ the room before bringing your kitten home. In this room he will need:
Water
Toys
A secure place to hide (his pet crate or a box with a blanket inside for example. Cats love hiding and comfort!)
Litterbox (uncovered box (at first) with clumping litter)
Scratching post
Make sure his food is ready to serve on arrival (thaw raw or dry kibble). We give local raw meat meals twice a day to most of our kittens. You may find many different brands in a pet store near you or online. When we feed raw, we mix the meals with a little bit of water and may sometimes add some wet food (about 20%) to make it all tastier. You can integrate the dry food gradually afterward (if the kitten is on a raw diet only). If you immediately give dry food without transition, there is a good chance that your kitten will develop diarrhea. More info on the diet of the Bengal cat and the raw meat we give: Faim Museau.
By isolating your kitten in a quiet room, you make sure to reduce stress due to moving or traveling. Give him the opportunity to get used to his new environment, new smells, etc. This acclimatization usually takes a few days. Your new Bengal kitten can meow for the first two days, which is perfectly normal. During this period, there must be no contact between the resident cats and the new kitten. Keeping him in a small room also means avoiding pee or poop outside of the litterbox. If necessary, here are some steps to avoid or solve the litterbox issues: https://educhateur.com/en/errors-urine-outside-litter-box/.
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Step 2 :Make every moment with him the best moment of his day
As your new Bengal cat gets used to his new room, you will also have the opportunity to meet and get to know each other. Your kitten may feel lonely the first days, so your mission will be to make every moment the best time of his day. Introduce some games that you can play with him, like a feather stick, for example. Bengal cats are totally crazy about this particular toy. Give your new Bengal kitten all the attention and love you can give. Petting him and making him purr will quickly make him more comfortable.
Please do not rush step 2. Respect your new Bengal kitten and let him come to you. This will make the connection between you stronger. Your new Bengal friend will come to you when he is ready. Also, be calm every time you enter his room. If you have young children, make sure they stay calm and respectful at all times. Avoid as much as possible sudden movements and screams.
Reaching the bonding step can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Each kitten or cat is different. Some will take longer to adapt and others will arrive in their new home as if nothing had happened. Make sure your Bengal kitten is completely comfortable with you before taking him out of his room.
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Step 3 : Exploring the surroundings
Once you have a relationship of trust with your new kitten, you can let him out of his room for a small excursion into the house. He will probably be scared at first, so show him one room at a time over a short period of time.
After each discovery, always bring your Bengal back to his small room for the first few days. When he comes out, keep an eye on him to avoid any unwanted behavior. When you sleep or leave for work, make sure he goes back to his room as well. This process must take the necessary time. If your Bengal kitten is comfortable in the house, finds his litterbox and does not hide every time he hears a sound, you’ll know he’s ready to stay outside of his room and enjoy his new loving home.
If you complete step 3 too quickly, there is a good chance that your kitten will miss the litterbox.
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Step 4 : Making your home the cat’s home
It is important to make your home a safe, fun, and interesting place for your Bengal cat. Here are some tips to make you both happy:
Scratching Post:Since all of our Bengal kittens and cats leave our home with their claws, make sure to place a few scratching posts and cat trees around your cat’s living space. This will prevent him from scratching your furniture or other unwanted items. All our Bengals learned to make their claws on a scratching post before leaving. They have had access to them since birth.
Litterbox: Depending on the size of your Bengal’s environment, you might need more than one litterbox. If you have a big house, your furry friend might have some issues finding his box. Make sure you place at least 1 on every level and show him where each one is.
*Keep in mind: Do not place the litterboxes in noisy areas such as the laundry room. The kitten or cat might be frightened and may develop undesirable behaviors due to the stress caused by a loud noise when using the litterbox. We use uncovered litterboxes with clumping litter.
Cat Exercise Wheel: Some Bengal cats will have a lot of energy to spend during the day and sometimes, their regular toys won’t allow them to do so. Keep your precious Bengal cat happy and healthy, purchase his own cat wheel today: https://www.ziggydoo.com/en/.
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Step 5 : Introducing your Bengal Kitten to your other pets
You might be impatient and excited to introduce your new Bengal to your other four-legged family members, but this step will require patience and time.For more information on the subject, we invite you to read this very interesting article: https://educhateur.com/en/introduction-new-cat/.
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Step 5 : Introducing your new Bengal to your other pets
You might be impatient and excited to introduce your new Bengal to your other four-legged family members, but this step will require patience and time.For more information on the subject, we invite you to read this very interesting article: https://educhateur.com/en/introduction-new-cat/.
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Step 6 :Enjoying your new life companion!
The last step of welcoming a Bengal kitten into your home is probably the most exciting! Now is the time to fully enjoy the beautiful moments with your new furry friend and give him all the attention, love and affection he needs. Your new companion will bring you countless exceptional moments, joy and love for many years to come.
