You might be wondering if you could have a nice home with more than one cat. Bengal cats are known for their wild nature and can snag furniture while they race around the house trying to conquer every obstacle.
You may wonder if your Bengal cat scratches you and your home, or if they scratch at your furniture or household objects while playing or exercising. Bengal cats, just like all domestic cats, can retract their claws. Bengal cats will expose their claws when they are marking territory or moving more vigorously.
Your Bengal must use its claws to grab your leather chair when they jump from the ground to make sure it is stable and takes off smoothly to their next destination. They don’t intend to damage your valuables. Instead, their wild instinct drives them to do exactly what they would do jumping tree to tree in the forest. You don’t have the luxury of allowing them to ruin your furniture. Bengals can be trained to do minimal damage to your home with the help of nail trimmers/caps and cat-specific structures.
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When do Bengals retract their claws
You’ve probably had a cat before and know that cats can scratch at anything in your home no matter what you do. If you want to save your cat’s life and your sanity, it is important to get rid of any valuable furniture.
Before you decide to move your beloved couch, it is important to understand when Bengals retract their claws and why. To prevent further damage, it is important to understand why Bengals scratch your furniture.
Although it might not appear so, Bengals keep their claws extended during rest. While lying down, they don’t need to use their claws for protection or to grab onto something.
Bengals protect their claws from being dulled by constantly hitting the ground while they walk. This instinct is a result of the need to keep their claws razor-sharp for catching prey or hanging onto trees.
Bengal cats and kittens are very friendly by nature. They will never let their claws be exposed while playing with people. Although they may seem to be extra careful about protecting their playmates, they still trust their humans and are not prone to aggression.
Do Bengal Cats love Scratching
Bengals expose their claws almost exclusively when they run, climb, or mark territory. Bengals have scent glands in the paws that allow them to scratch and mark objects they desire.
Keep your Bengal confined to areas that are most likely to be climbed up by climbing on your furniture and blankets.
Low-cost cat trees and cat shelves are durable and won’t show signs of wear. To compliment your home, you can also buy them in neutral colors and modern designs. Chances are, if your Bengal owns furniture to destroy, it won’t cause as much damage to yours.
Bengals that scratch too much and don’t move around will likely feel uncomfortable in the space they live in. If cats mark their territory aggressively, they are trying to make it theirs.
Your Bengal cat will love climbing vertically. This will give them a sense of safety and allow them to exercise in more ways. Bengals will sometimes climb on human furniture to reach higher, safer surfaces.
Bengals are bred from a tree-dwelling wildcat and feel most at home when they can see what’s happening below them. Placing scratching posts near your Bengal’s favorite human furniture–especially the ones they like to climb up will decrease the likelihood that they will continue to ruin your possessions.
Because scratching posts feel almost like bark from a tree, Bengals will naturally identify their new posts as things to scratch.
How to clip Your Bengal’s Claws
While placing cat-specific furniture around the house may reduce the damage done by your Bengal, it is still important to keep your cat’s claws clean.
Bengals with clipped claws will still be able to run and jump, but won’t be as able to grab your sofa, chairs, or carpets. Trimming the claws properly is important. Make sure you only trim to “the quick”, which is where nerve endings and blood vessels are located.
It is important to clip your cat’s claws regularly for their health. Your Bengal cat’s claws could become too long, even though they shouldn’t be. If left untreated, tangled claws could easily become infected.
While trimming claws might seem like another chore on your list, it is far more important than declawing your Bengal.
Although declawing might seem like the best way to save your furniture, it can cause irreparable damage to your cat’s health. Bengals are tied to their wild side. When their claws are removed, vital parts of their being are taken away.
Even declawed house cats will feel pain and infection and may even stop using their litter box. Many cats become aggressive and lose their love completely.
Declaring your Bengali is like someone cutting off your fingers at the first knuckle. It is a terrible surgery that no cat should ever have to go through.
Can Bengal Cats Wear Claw Caps
Claw caps can be a creative way to keep your cat’s claws from being clipped.
Cat claw caps are tiny plastic caps that you glue to your cat’s claws. They prevent your Bengal from damaging any objects while they zip around. They are recommended by many cat parents as being suitable for cats suffering from itching or having thin skin.
Claw caps can last for six weeks before they fall off. They are made of soft plastic and protect children from being scratched accidentally by an angry cat.
You can decide if claw caps will work for your Bengal. The thick caps prevent cats from retracting their claws. Bengals are more likely to feel uncomfortable if they have limited access to their claws. Catclaw caps are non-toxic and soft. They can be applied properly to prevent any discomfort.
Bengals can retract their claws but only selectively. They will use their claws to climb up, grip or mark. Every cat family should be able to adapt to their feline companion. Your Bengal cat will appreciate the extra vertical space, scratching posts, and cat trees that provide comfort.
