Readers' letter - Is a Bengal cat suitable for a pet in my home?

Should I have a pet Bengal in my household?
09/01/98. Andrew Stott writes...
After I first saw a Bengal pictured in one of the Early Cat magazines I feel I always wanted to pamper one.
My questions...
I would like to purchase one for our family and as a partner to our recently bereaved 4 year old tabby girl - she is lonely. Would a Bengal make a good companion to a cat that is used to now ruling the household and also never had her own litter? Also we wouldn't really be keen on showing etc., so would that be considered wrong in purchasing such a sought after breed?

The editor replies

Firstly, with regards to your tabby cat, as with any cat breed, a Bengal kitten will settle with her much more quickly than an adult. There will be some hissing and spitting and growling for the first few days, but there will normally be signs of amity within a week, or fortnight. Make a lot of fuss of your older cat; don't give her a real reason to be jealous! She will quickly show the new kitten the ropes, and tell him/her who's boss. One good tip; cats are sociable in the wild when the food supply is good, and less so when it is not. So put a couple of extra food bowls around in new places in the house when your kitten arrives.
I don't show or breed any of my four cats, (two Bengals, a Siamese and a Burmese) and of course they should be pets first and foremost. Showing is important for breeders who are hard at work developing the breed, but it is not important for cats or their families! It is perfectly normal to keep a Bengal as a pet, and they are compatible with other breeds of cats and even dogs.