In this article we will be looking at a question most Bengal cat owners ask, and that is how do you teach a Bengal cat not to bite? For those of you who do not know, the Bengal cat was created by crossing an Asian Leopard cat with a domestic cat such as the Egyptian Mau.
This hybrid cat is a relatively new breed which were first recognized by TICA as an experimental breed in 1983. They later went on to receive full recognition in 1993. Bengal cats are available in a spotted or marble pattern. One of the reason why I have such a soft spot for them because of my love of big cats such as tigers and leopards!
When it comes to Bengal cats biting, it’s not because they mean to be harmful. They are actually very pleasant, loving creatures and make great family pets. The problem lies in the fact that they are very playful and energetic, therefore need a lot of attention.
So what happens when your Bengal keeps biting? How do you teach a Bengal cat not to bite? In this post we we reveal all of the best tips and tricks you can use to calm your Bengal cat down.
Why do Bengal Cats Bite?
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The main reason Bengal cat bite is out of pure boredom. As mentioned above, they are extremely playful creatures who require a lot of attention. When there is very little entertainment for them, they will become bored very easily and start biting into anything and everything they can find, including your hands!
This becomes a big problem, not only for yourself, but for you home which is full of expensive furniture and other items. Other reasons for them biting are, they are frightened, annoyed, or stressed out.
The number one mistake most owners make is to play and wrestle with your Bengal using your hands. This is hard to resist because they are just so adorable, and all you want to do is play and give them a fuss.
The thing is, they then associate your hand with a toy. As innocent as it may seem to them, it can be painful to yourself and it will teach them bad habits. This will then become a bigger problem because as your Bengal kitten gets older, they will obviously be bigger and more powerful. This means more damage will be caused by their teeth.
Signs Your Bengal is Getting Agitated
It’s a great advantage to know when your Bengal is going to bite, so here are a few warning signs and things to look out for.
- Flicking/twitching their tail
- Ears flattening down
- Intently staring at you or your hand
- Dilating pupils
- Growling and hissing
Although Bengals are very much domestic cats, don’t forget that they still have predatory instincts. If you look out for these signs then this will reduce your chances of getting bitten.
Is it Easy to Discipline a Bengal to Stop Biting?
We have looked at both why Bengal cats bite and signs to look out for before they bite. You now may be asking, is it easy to discipline a Bengal to stop biting? The answer to this question is, YES, it’s very easy to discipline a Bengal. You can also start to see results very quickly.
Bengals are actually one of the smartest cats on the planet. This along with them being friendly and adorable creatures, they are quick learners and understand your emotions very easily. It’s obviously better if you teach them from a kitten, but it can also be very possible in older Bengal cats.
Now you know how easy it can be to train your Bengal kitty, let’s now look at the important section of how to train your Bengal cat not to bite.
How do You teach a Bengal Cat Not to Bite?
If you have a Bengal kitty that bites a lot, you may ask, how do you teach a Bengal cat not to bite? You will b surprised how quickly you can discipline them not to bite. In this section we will now cover the techniques on how to train your Bengal cat not to bite.
What to do
- Point and Stare: If your Bengal bites, stare directly at them whilst pointing with one finger and say “NO”. Say it in a firm voice but do not shout! This will display dominance.
- Clapping: As soon as your Bengal bites or scratches, clap your hands. Do not do this too close to their face. You can also combine this with the method above. Also make sure to this immediately after they bite.
- Use Toys: This is one of the greatest things you can do to prevent your Bengal from biting. Always use toys to play with them and never your hands! Interactive toys are the best (more about this below).
- Praise and reward: Always give them treats to associate positive behavior.
What not to do
- Never hit your Bengal: This will just make them more anxious and afraid.
- Don’t shout at them: It’s hard not to yell as this may be a natural instinct. The problem is, your Bengal will not understand this. It will make them more afraid and even more likely to bite or scratch you.
Bengal Kitten Training
As previously mentioned, it’s always best to start training as early as possible from a kitten. The habit of biting is due to the owner playing and tickling them with their hand. Their teeth don’t cause much damage when they are kittens. The problem arises when they become older and start drawing blood as they become more powerful.
It’s best to just not allow it to even reach that stage, just teach them good habits right from the start. When they are kittens it’s advised to train them with a gentle approach. So let’s look at ways to train your kitty not to bite.
- Blow on their face: When your Bengal kitty bites you, try blowing on their face. It will in no way harm them, but at the same time they will not like it. This will encourage them not to bite.
- Toys: As soon as they start biting your hand, quickly distract them with a toy and let them bite that instead.
- Press on their tongue: Another trick which will not harm them but will encourage them not to bite is to press down on their tongue with your finger.
- Playmate: If possible, getting another kitty as a playmate is a great option. Most people may think this is a bad idea, because if having one energetic Bengal is bad enough, surely having two is worse. Actually, having a playmate will allow them to play together and wear each other out.
- Treats: Always treat them to associate positive behavior.
Recommended Bengal Cat Toys
Bengal cats love to play and get bored very easily. The best way to eliminate boredom and to stop them biting, is to have plenty of cool, interactive toys for them to play them. Here’s some of the best toys I can recommend for you to get if you own a Bengal cat.
#1 The Ripple Rug
By far one of the best toys for a Bengal cat. This is an award winning toy which will provide hours of fun for you kitty. It also allows for multiple cats to play at the same time.
More info on The Ripple Rug here
#2 Go Pet Club Cat Tree:
As Bengal cat’s just love to climb, this is an essential item to provide your Bengal with all of it’s climbing needs.
More info on the club tree here
#3 Catit Senses Super Circuit
This will provide hours of fun for your curious kitty. With Bengals being such intelligent creatures, they will love the fun and interaction that this toy provides.
More info on the super circuit here
#4 Interactive Treat Maze & Puzzle Feeder
Encourages your cat to use natural instincts to explore, scratch, sniff, find and retrieve hidden rewards – with three difficulty levels to challenge clever cats as their skills improve!
More info on the interactive treat maze here
#5 Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy
This interactive toy will provide hours of fun for your Bengal providing both physical and mental benefits.
More info on the tower of tracks here
Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed this article and hope that your question on How do You teach a Bengal Cat Not to Bite has been answered. With the provided tips and the recommended toys and tools, you should now be fully equipped and prepared to eliminate your kitty from biting.
