What is the Terror of Bengal?

My Bengal is out of control!?

• All right. Two years ago we decided to get a companion for our older cat because he was lonely. He was bored, tired, frustrated, etc. We couldn't find an older cat, but a co-worker of my best friend had kittens. She told us she would give us one, and we were pretty delighted. When we got her, we noticed she looked very strange (She's a marbled bengal), and upon taking her to the vet he told us she was a bengal cat. We couldn't very well give her back, so we decided to keep her. We had no idea what Bengal's were. Now, 2 and 1/2 years later, she's a holy terror - and we're not sure why. We've bought her a ton of toys, scratchers, she gets fed treats every day. She gets wet food and dry food in the morning and in the evening (though she can have dry food any time she wants it). We take her outside for 30 minutes to 1 hour each day (not more than that because 115 degree weather will eventually give her heat stroke). She plays with our other cat and has a blast. And we play with her when we get home(from work). However, she's notorious for biting and scratching (She's left permanent bite marks on my hands), tearing up our couch, climbing the curtains, chewing on the blinds. Racing around and knocking everything over. And I've tried everything from spraying her with water, to spatting her on the butt, to telling her no, to giving her little half-hiss half click noises that she now knows means, "Knock it off!" Tomorrow I am going to buy plywood and build some cat stairs in our apartment (we have permission to do so), in the hopes that she'll finally stop. If we can't get her to quit, we'll have to give her up to the SPCA. She's gorgeous, and she can be quite sweet. Help! Can I get some suggestions please?

• Answer:

  As a Bengal owner myself, I can understand what you mean by them being "out of control". Bengals need lots and lots of attention, stimulation and challenges to thrive. They also need extra taurine in their food. I make raw food. They love to race around and you better not stand it their way. Don't bother spraying them, they love water. A couple of hints. Bengals like to be up high so have a place where they can climb up to and survey their territory. Do not play with them with your hands. That will overstimulate them and they will bite and scratch. Learn to read their language. When my bengal lays on her back, it means leave me alone. When her tail twitches, it means she is about to explode. Bengals do better when not left alone all day. When I must stop my bengal, I do it by a time out. I just quit and walk away. Hissing and hand clapping works when she must be redirected. Good luck