Help PLease with a Bengal

Maistaff · #1 (**permalink**) 28-11-2011, 08:31 AM

Hello

I am preying that someone can offer advice

We re homed a Bengal about 8 months or so ago, initially she was strange in that she never came down out of my mums room for ages and then when she did she spent all her time in the kitchen never coming on to the floor. Over the months she got better for about a few weeks but in all the time we had her she NEVER got on with any of our other cats. We separated them and did all that we could but she then started to wee on top of our kitchen worktops through the stress of having any other cat near her. She wouldn’t use her tray either if another cat had been near it.

So we made a hard decision and decided to re home her to a lovely person who has no other pets and who could offer her the best home possible. It was great from the second she came out the carrier as she suddenly started to play, purr and act like a normal cat with no fear or stress in the world. BUT she will not use her tray in her new home, she is peeing all over the sofa’s and poo’ing on the living room rug!!

This is not a healthy way for anyone to live and I feel so guilty for my friend who has her and who has offered her the most amazing home.

Can anyone give us some advice on how to get her to stop this behaviour only my friend really does want to keep her but for obvious reasons she can not keep going on like this. It has only been a week and we all know its early days but any advice would be appreciated.

She is neutered and we only re homed her to our friend due her being so stressed out with our other animals in the house.

Thank you

Maistaff · #2 (**permalink**) 28-11-2011, 09:43 AM

we are going to take her to the vet to have her checked over for any infections and rule out health reasons first

ChinaBlue · #3 (**permalink**) 28-11-2011, 10:38 AM

Perhaps take her back to basics. Keep her confined to one room for a few days with a litter tray (perhaps have two - one open and one covered) and food/toys. You could try different litters - one clumping; one non-clumping. Or try Cat Attract - it isn't cheap but may just be useful to help persuade her to start using the tray again and then gradually introduce another similar cheaper litter. Make sure when she is allowed to freedom again her litter tray/s are in a nice quiet out of the way place.

Try a Feliway diffuser too.

Good luck - let us know how she gets on.

Alaskacat · #4 (**permalink**) 28-11-2011, 12:15 PM

Hi

I agree with the good advise above and lock her down to a small area with bed, food etc and tray/s. Bringing her out for play and cuddles but putting her back when not watched by her new owners. My Bengal very much likes to use the tray in private and prefers a covered tray. You could also try putting her accidents into her tray to scent it too perhaps.

If you adopted her and she had previously been a cattery cat she may feel more secure with a large dog cage to hide in. Obviously only when left unattended, I am not suggesting the new owners cage her, just to make cleaning up easier and introduce a safe space for her after she has been unsettled by living with your cats.

I have seen it written that early generation Bengals prefer to toilet in a tray of water as the ALC would use a stream to hide the scent, it might be worth a try.

How stressful for you all, best of luck, I hope that she settles.

Katy

Maistaff · #5 (**permalink**) 28-11-2011, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alaskacat

Hi

I agree with the good advise above and lock her down to a small area with bed, food etc and tray/s. Bringing her out for play and cuddles but putting her back when not watched by her new owners. My Bengal very much likes to use the tray in private and prefers a covered tray. You could also try putting her accidents into her tray to scent it too perhaps.

If you adopted her and she had previously been a cattery cat she may feel more secure with a large dog cage to hide in. Obviously only when left unattended, I am not suggesting the new owners cage her, just to make cleaning up easier and introduce a safe space for her after she has been unsettled by living with your cats.

I have seen it written that early generation Bengals prefer to toilet in a tray of water as the ALC would use a stream to hide the scent, it might be worth a try.

How stressful for you all, best of luck, I hope that she settles.

Katy

THank you

SHe came from a home and has never been in a cattery. Its really sad as my friend can no longer keep her as she really is making a huge mess of her home as she has gone to the loo on her living room rug, sofa, cushions, under her bed and on her bed

I am going to collect her tonight but i feel awful as i know that when i take her back to mums she is going to be stressed again with our other cats as she has no social skills with other animals and finds it very hard to mix with them which isn't helped by mum's weegies stalking her at times so she will live in the kitchen through her own choice

I am taking her to the vet tomorrow but really we need to find a home for her as i know living at mum's is not a long term thing due to her other cats and i can't have her at mine as she hates my dogs

ChinaBlue · #6 (**permalink**) 28-11-2011, 03:50 PM

Have you tried the Bengal breed clubs - they will have a rehome section and may be able to offer further advice/fostering until a suitable home comes up?

Maistaff · #7 (**permalink**) 29-11-2011, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChinaBlue

Have you tried the Bengal breed clubs - they will have a rehome section and may be able to offer further advice/fostering until a suitable home comes up?

Yes mum has spoken to them and they have been very very helpful and understanding. It was them who explained that some Bengals have no social skills to accept other cats. We were about to fill in their form when a friend mentioned she would have her.

Its such a shame as my friend really really adores her but can't really have her home ruined with her behaviour.

We have the vets tonight at 6pm so will know more if she has any medical reason why she is acting like this. I think we may also get some calming medication and the plug in things, we already have one but we need the refill

Thank you for all your help

Treaclesmum · #8 (**permalink**) 29-11-2011, 01:34 PM

It's funny how some people insist that Bengals don't have behaviour problems, because the Asian Leopard Cat is 'shy, not aggressive' - and yet I've heard of them harming and even killing other cats

Maistaff · #9 (**permalink**) 29-11-2011, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treaclesmum

It's funny how some people insist that Bengals don't have behaviour problems, because the Asian Leopard Cat is 'shy, not aggressive' - and yet I've heard of them harming and even killing other cats

I have heard that to, the odd thing is this girl is the most loving loyal playful cat going when she is on her own. When around other cats she hides and doesn't like to be near them.

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