Hi there

I need help. I am at my wits end on what to do with my beautiful Bengal, even the breeder is at a lose what to do. He is very much like Dr Jeckle and Mr Hide, extremely unpredictable. He walks past me, purring and smoochy and then turns and launches an aggressive attack. I am not talking a playful attack I am left with deep puncture woods from his bite and deep scratches. He has got lockjaw around my wrist. I have tired spraying water in his face, clapping and blowing in his face to startle him. Nothing works. He is less aggressive with my flatmates but still attacks them, just saves the brutal attacks for me. He is the most well cared for and loved cat.

He has also attacked an older neighbour who was in her garden; my cat jumped the fence, rubbed past her leg and then sunk his teeth into her calf muscle. If he was a dog we all know what would have happened.

Does anyone have any suggestions, as this cannot continue.

Very sad.

ps. He is three years old and this behaviour has gotten worse over the last year. He also has regular visits to the vet so is nice and healthy. They also have no idea what to do.

I'm very sorry to hear about this change - have you had him since he was a kitten, or was he rehomed? If he was unaggressive when you got him and there have been no changes at home (moving house, new people, new cat/s), then it's hard to explain - but it sounds like he's an outdoor cat, so maybe something has changed in his territory, like a new cat to the area?

I have no first hand experience with Bengals, I'm afraid, but I am aware that a small number of them can be aggressive in the way you describe. If you're finding him impossible to deal with, maybe a behaviourist can help - the Bengal Cat Rescue outfit recommend Debbie Connolly, who seems to have a fair bit of experience with difficult Bengals. (NB: most Bengal breeders aren't big fans of her, because of her rather strong views...)

out of interest is he neutered?

have you tried feliway products?

how much play/interaction time does he get a day?

what do you feed him?

bengals are highly intelligent and energetic cats so it may be a case of he needs more mental stimulation? puzzle toys and feeders/things he has to work out/clicker training

Assuming he is neutered and you have tried the Feliway etc, I agree with Philski that it may be time to call in a behaviourist. If your cat is insured you could phone the insurance company and ask if they cover this cost.

Keep us updated.

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Kaz

For kittens, joy is for the asking and smiles are for the giving

ID advise you to type in 'benagl forums' into google and oin them, all are bengal owners & breeders, Ill send you the link to, will be better asking there as they are used to giving out advice.

I wouldnt be letting him outside either!

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Hi

Bengals are normally very loving Cats, however when they do have problems it tends to be related to the following:

Long periods of time alone, i.e you are out at work 9-5 and they are left alone a problem easily solved by a Neighbour,friend,family or Pet sitter spending some time with him in the afternoon.

Territory deputes with other neighbourhood Cats leaving him feeling anxious,nervous or frustrated again problem can be solved by intergrating him back to an indoor Cat.

Innocent Abuse this is more common than you think and can be at the hands of a neighbour, local children, outdoor Cats often have interaction with people who shoo them away i.e a neighbour your Cat is in there burying its business and the neighbour comes out thinks the Cat is digging up the flowers and shoo's it away or claps, squirts the Cat, throws something at the Cat etc, it leaves the Cat annoyed that it has been chased from what it sees as his territory line or marking ground, although he has not been physically harmed, emotionally he is annoyed and left frustrated.Then he comes in and for whatever reason something you do reminds him of whatever has happened to him and it is a trigger for him.

Jealous Telling you off, A Cats scent is extremely acute Bengals can be unbelievably Jealous if you or your Flatmates have families with Cats and you visit them and come home with the scent he might tell you off out of jealousy

In Pain, Your Cat might have a cracked rib or an injury he is concealing and you inadvertantly touch it which causes him pain and he then sees it as an attack on him and defends himself, Some Persians do this when they have severe matting causing them pain all is well until their owners touch the matted area.

Somebody who specialises in Cat behaviour will be able to solve his agression problem, but it takes time, it also helps if they know exactly what the trigger is that causes him to react this way, behaviour training or re-socialisation training is not cheap so expect to pay around £10-£20 per day plus boarding fees. And depending on how severe the problem is it can take a while.

I recently had Two brothers here who were left extremely scarred after a Fox attack, their owners could not get close to them without them hissing,biting they were with me a just over 6 Weeks and their bill was £1440 Plus boarding

When they arrived, frightened and very agressive

YouTube - ‪Socialisation‬‏

Over the weeks we re-socialised them got the used to things like hoovers, music, children, being brushed not just by an adult but by anyone.

YouTube - ‪typical day 007‬‏

Getting them wanting to be affectionate

YouTube - ‪full of busy 044‬‏

Learning them to go out and walk on a harness rather than be outdoor Cats

YouTube - ‪Walks 042‬‏

Learning to enjoy the outdoors with their owners rather than alone

YouTube - ‪Walks 048‬‏

YouTube - ‪Walks 044‬‏

YouTube - ‪Walks 040‬‏

This process takes a great deal of time and dedication and that is not going to be cheap for you I am afraid, if you need to use a specialist

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http://www.funkyfurballs.co.uk

Wow, TT, are those the same cats throughout? What a difference you made to a pair of hissing, spitting cats!

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My lifelong ambition is to be a crazy cat lady. The only obstacle is my OH.

Who will go and who gets to stay? Stay tuned...

Yes same Cats took 6 Weeks 5 Days, they went back home this morning and their owners are over the moon.

Their owners had been visiting every weekend and getting daily updates and videos of their progress.

Yesterday was their last test, we went for a walk to a friends, strangers to them, they have a dog and two cats, they were not even phased, phoned their owners and told them they were ready to go home

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http://www.funkyfurballs.co.uk

I love what you've done and I admire your dedication, but I must tell you...

I own a Bouvier des Flandres dog (natural guardian and herding breed at over 100lb in weight). I played the first video and he (from the other room) started growling and then came in to check I was OK.

Those bengals certainly worked him up...and BTW...he lives with a cat so it's not a sound he's not used to hearing...he's just not used to hearing it so aggressively!



Well done on all your hard work.

xx

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Looking for puppy or dog training classes in the Liverpool area?

This is where I take Paddy - Kennel Club Good Citizen Awards, Puppy and Dog Training Classes Liverpool

Hi TT what you have done is brilliant you truly have a talent I am amazed at how those two beautifull Bengals have changed well done

Viv xx