The Bengal cat is a wonderful pet for different reasons; they are affectionate, friendly, playful, and intelligent, and make great companions. If you are considering adding one to your household, the question of how to discipline the feline may come up.
You should never discipline your Bengal cat through force or shouting, as this will destroy the bond and trust you have built together. The best way to deal with misbehavior is to create an environment that prevents indiscipline in the first place because a bored Bengal cat can be very destructive.
Bengal cats are very lovely and affectionate to live with and are highly active and want to be engaged with. However, they can be a handful at times compared to more mellow and laid-back breeds. They have a natural curiosity and their high energy can get them into trouble sometimes.
As a cat parent, you want to teach your Bengal cat right and wrong to ensure they stay away from indiscipline. However, you may not know the best approaches to use to effectively discipline your cat. Read on to know how best to discipline your Bengal cat without breaking the bond and trust you have created with them.
Why do Bengal cats misbehave?
It is vital to understand why your Bengal cat may be misbehaving before trying to find ways to discipline it. It can be very frustrating when your fur baby engages in destructive behaviors and it can result in different emotions, such as being upset and angry. However, with persistence and patience, you will understand the root cause of the problem, and eventually, both of you will share a happy home without indiscipline cases.
One of the reasons that Bengal cats can be mischievous is due to their high energy levels, and they need constant play and stimulation. If not stimulated and remain inactive and bored for long hours, they will have a buildup of energy and eventually explode.
Another reason your Bengal cat may be acting out is due to a health issue. If your Bengal cat has been happy and disciplined throughout and starts acting out all of a sudden, it could be sick, and it is best to visit the vet immediately. Unfortunately, your feline friend cannot tell you when they are in discomfort or pain, and a change in behavior may be their way of communicating. So before jumping into the discipline wagon, ensure they are examined for any issues to clear up any concerns then you can begin incorporating your own solution to misbehavior.
Another common cause of indiscipline particularly in households with many pets is a fight for territory. Cats need a place they can mark with their scents as their own. Bengal cats are particularly very territorial and get extremely jealous, thus, need a place that is specifically for them.
Common misbehavior you may see with your Bengal cat and reasons
Common Misbehavior |
Reasons |
Scratching, biting and being destructive |
Bengal cats are energetic and love to play |
Going to the toilet outside the litter box |
Territorial marking or a health issue |
Getting into areas they should not be in |
Curiosity |
Jumping upon high places |
Bengal cats are keen jumpers and require vertical spaces to jump |
Scratching furniture |
Natural cat behavior |
What should you do to discipline your Bengal cat?
Screaming, shouting, or hitting your feline friend will not work but will ruin your relationship and the bond you have worked hard to build. Cats learn by association, and being aggressive towards them will result in them becoming aggressive towards you and other people as they see you as their aggressor. So if you cannot shout at your cat, what can you do?
Use the yes-no game
You need to meet your Bengal cat halfway and at times compromise, more so, if they are engaging in something that is a natural behavior for them, such as jumping on high places and scratching.
The yes-no game involves saying no to undesirable behaviors and getting your cat to associate the action with something they dislike. For instance, if your cat is scratching furniture, you can say “no” by putting a sticky cat tape on the furniture. Since cats hate sticky things, they will learn to associate scratching with the offending sticky tape and they will refrain from scratching anymore.
When they stop scratching, compromise and meet them halfway by saying “yes” and giving something back. For instance, when the cat stops scratching your furniture, then you get them a scratching post, or if they were jumping on the kitchen counter, you get them a cat tree near the place they love jumping onto.
Thus, the yes-no game will help solve indiscipline issues with your Bengal cat as it helps make the things you do not want them to do unappealing, while giving alternatives to mimic the natural behavior they want to engage in.
Enrich your cat’s environment
Bengal cats are extremely energetic and most of their misbehavior can be solved by ensuring their environment is right for them. They need to scratch, play and exercise regularly, and the environment should allow them to engage in these natural habits to prevent them from misbehaving. You can ensure your cat remains stimulated by getting them cat trees, cat grass to chew, wall-mounted cat shelves so they have their own “highways” around the house to run, window hammocks, food puzzles, and lots of interactive toys.
Reward good actions immediately
Cats do not always know what you want from them, so reward them immediately they engage in good behavior, and they will learn to engage in such habits quickly. When training them, ensure there is enough time between instructions so it is not overwhelming for them and they understand what they are being rewarded for.
Teach your Bengal cat commands
Teach your cats commands, such as no, sit, jump, and come here, that apply to what they need at that time. The more you repeat these commands with rewards in hand to reinforce desirable behavior, the faster they will learn.
Conclusion
Bengal cats are affectionate, but they may be handful pets to deal with at times. As a cat parent, always focus your attention on trying to understand what certain misbehaviors mean and then address the problem. Bengal cats are very intelligent and disciplining them becomes very easy if you follow the right steps.
FAQs
Are Bengal cats easy to train and follow instructions?
Bengal cats are highly intelligent and thus very easy to train as they understand your instructions with maximum accuracy.
Should I use rewards when disciplining my Bengal cat?
Bengal cats respond well to rewards and positive reinforcements, so give them a treat when they engage in good behavior to acknowledge them for being disciplined.