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The key to a successful
introduction of a Bengal kitten into your busy household will depend
greatly upon following a strict introduction procedure.
First, strict quarantine in
a small room such as a bathroom with a litter box, food and
water. Very frequent quiet visitations at first. Just sitting
with them to let them get used to you. Then brushing with a toilet brush
(a NEW one) and talking a lot to them. Then petting them after
brushing with the toilet brush. Then, after several days, brief
periods of gentle lifting and putting them back down. Then
after a few days of this, picking them up and holding them for
brief periods. When picking up a Bengal cat or Bengal kitten, have the
kitten face away from you and then place both hands one in
front of the other under their mid section. Gently pull
the cat into your and hold gently but firmly. This will
make them feel secure. Put down in the same manner.
Do not let them jump out of your arms, they may get hurt.
Then after this goes well,
and they are totally relaxed, you can let them into a slightly
bigger space. Still no introductions to dogs or other cats at
this point. Making the children sit quietly and brush them with
the brush and speak quietly to them. Then after that goes well,
they can pet them. After all that goes well, then you can take
a towel and rub the scent of the cats and introduce the smell of
the cats to each other. This allows them to get used to the
smell before actually meeting. The full quarantine must last at
a minimum 2 weeks.
When I had dogs and cats, I
made sure the cat had a high place to be when the dog came in.
I made sure that the dog didn't chase the cat. Some cats will
never get used to dogs, and others will. You can never tell
which will and which won't.
Some cats will get along
and some won't. Some will adjust after some time. These things
just can't be predicted. You will have to be willing to live
with the possibility that a new addition may not get along with
existing animals in your household. If you are comfortable with
that, then I would say it will probably all work out.
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