Bengals have a wild ancestor, the Asian leopard cat. This does not mean that you have chosen a wild animal for a pet. Apart from perfect health, good blood lines and a magnificent appearance, our cattery’s most important goal is to produce well socialized kittens.
Experience has taught me that socialization is of subordinate importance to many Bengal and Savannah breeders. An unsocialized Bengal or Savannah cat can cause problematic situations in your house.
Because of stress the cat might do its business everywhere except in the litter tray and it can wound people.
A well socialized kitten is used to physical contact with adults and children from early age on. This does not mean that all kittens will love to sit on your lap, but they need to become sweet pets who like to be petted and that can be picked up when needed, for example to go to the vet. Also, the kittens have to be used to loud noises such as the vacuum cleaner, enthusiastic children, music and television.
When my 3 small children are with the cats, an adult is always present to check the behavior of both children and the cats. Teach the children from the start what is and what is not allowed with the cat; how to hold it, how to play safely with the cat and how you can see when the cat is happy or angry. Adults and children must treat pets with respect at all times. A great toy to play with Bengals and Savannahs is a rod, so the chance the cat scratches the child by accident in his play, is very minimal.
If you reserve a specific kitten and you want it to be used to walking on a lead, this is possible.
Socialization also takes place through the mother cat, sibling kittens and other cats the kitten grows up with.
