Bengal cat temperament question?

Who else has a Bengal cat? Do you find that they can be very rough when they play? Does yours bite? How can I teach mine that she must not bite me? (Too late for "reward her when she doesn't, I need some concrete methods).

Slug, trust me I did a LOT of research before buying my cat and she is an SBT not an F1, F2 or F3.
And as for biting back, it doesn't work. She avenges me even worse when i do this ;)

It's several decades since Bengals were crossed with the ALC and these days they are just another domestic cat breed and most are many generations from the original ALC. Most do not use ALC's or early generation Bengals in their breeding programmes any more. Yes they are very lively and anyone getting one should be aware of their special needs (they tend to have sensitive stomachs for example), but they aren't really any different from any other domestic cat. If she bites, hiss at her or blow in her face, and withdraw your attention from her. Perhaps have a word with the breeder you got her from and ask her/him whether many of their bengals are biters. A good bengal breeder, like any other breeder, will breed for temperament as well as looks and not produce cats that are biters, and should be willing to advise you if you have a problem with your cat.

I have a Bengal and he is the most viscious cat I have ever known. He jumps at me and attacks me all the time. I have tried so hard to teach him not to bite but apparently it is their instinct. He is a very big cat too and i know this sounds silly but sometimes im so scared of him. I dont want to give him away though cos when he is affectionate he really is! Im sorry I have no solution for you but I am the same boat as you.

Try and find a forum, these Bengals are not your average cat...

To Slug, cheers for that info, now we can learn more about our 2 Cornish Rexes...

This answer is taken straight from the website....

This is a question often asked. The early generation Bengals have much of the wild heritage in them and should be considered as breeders or pets only on an individual basis, meaning, the particular preference of the prospective owner and the temperament of the specific Bengal. Many people prefer the F1 and F2 (first and second generation hybrids) personality to all others, and breeders often choose to include an F1 or F2 female in their breeding program. Third generation Bengals and beyond may be evaluated along the same lines as other breeds, for pets or as breeders.

Bengals are highly intelligent. They like to have close contact with people and are very entertaining, because they love to play and will find something to occupy themselves. They bond strongly to their owners, either individuals or whole families, in an almost dog-like fashion. Many learn to walk on a leash, to fetch, and to ride in cars. Bengals love water. They like to play in it or with it and many join their owners in the shower or bath tub. They are not lap cats. Though a favorite person is allowed to hold his or her Bengal for a while, the Bengal prefers to sit on or near "his" person at his own discretion.

If it bites, bite it back on the tip of it's ear. It will soon learn that the experience is quite unpleasant.

Bengals are very high energy cats, but this biting is something that is often found in the Siamese as well - they are another high energy cat. While I can't speak for Bengals, what we advise people to do is to be sure to NOT use their hands and fingers to play with the cat, only a toy. If the cat does bite, push your hand back into her mouth and yell "OWW" or squeal, much the way a kitten would squeal if one of his litter mates would play too hard and hurt him. Sounds silly, but you've got to communicate with a cat in the way that they communicate with each other. Bengals (and Siamese) are extremely smart, and will respond to consistency. Get yourself some wand toys and fishing pole toys, so that you can play hunting games with her. Toss small toys for her so that she can fetch them for you. Anything that involves burning off energy will focus that drive that she's got, and will most likely work to lessen the biting.

(One of these days in rescue I will come across a Snow Leopard Bengal, and then I will have a Bengal as well - they are such beautiful cats, and have tremendous personalities).

I had a Bengal cat for many years and she was the sweetest cat ever. Her name was Sada. She never bit me. She was longer than a normal cat but she wasn't really that much bigger. She had a longer tail and a little bit bigger paws and stuff. She was very very playful, energetic, and loud but never mean. Her meow was like a half growl and sounded really weird. (kind of annoying when she wanted to be fed at 5 am. lol)

I think that you just have to teach them early that biting is not ok. Usually cats bite to tell us stuff if it's not for play. (i.e. pet me, stop petting me, feed me, etc.) You could try and classically condition her to not bite. It will take a religious effort on your part though. You could always blow in her face (not too hard) when she bites so she associates biting with a negative reward. Cats hate that and it doesn't hurt them either. You could also give her less attention after she bites so she knows you don't like it. She just might have a bad temperment but I know that not all Bengals are that way. Mine was the nicest and also the most intelligent cat I have ever owned.

They need fun toys. The best one was this wand I had with a feathery thing on the end of a nylon string. I could just sit on the couch and watch tv and swing that thing back and forth forever until she would finally get tired and wanted to snuggle up with me and take a nap.

Have fun. I miss mine.

p.s. mine jumped in the shower too and knew how to pee in the toilet. They are so funny.

r.i.p. Sada