Tikka Sky Bengals

Helping Your Bengal Kitten Settle In with Comfort, Confidence, and Love.

Bringing home a Bengal kitten is such a special moment — full of excitement, anticipation, and joy. We want this transition to feel smooth and comforting for both you and your new little one. This guide was created to help you prepare your home, understand your kitten’s needs, and support them as they settle into their new life with you.

Our goal is simple: to make this experience warm, gentle, and full of love.

What To Do and Not To Do

To help you to ease your kitten’s transition into your home, a strange, new environment, we have compiled a list of Do’s and Don’ts for your kitten’s first couple of weeks in his/her new home.

The Do’s

Be calm and quiet when you bring your kitten into your home.

Place the carrier on the floor and let your kitten come out on his/her own.

Encourage your kitten to come out of the carrier for the first time by gently coaxing him/her out with a feather teaser-toy.

Keep your kitten in a small room when he or she first arrives. A small area is kitten-size, such as a master bathroom. It will help him or her to more readily “get the lay of the land.” After a few days, allow him/her a little more run of the house.

Sit or lie on the floor at your kitten’s level to play and socialize.

Place your kitten in the litter box several times during the first few of days after arrival.

Allow your kitten to sleep with you after the first couple of days and after he or she has a firm grasp on the location of the litter box.

Slowly introduce the kitten to your other pets and household while under supervision.

Make sure your kitten knows where his or her food and water is kept and check to see he/she is eating and drinking enough.

A 30 minute timeout in a small room, such as a bathroom, may be required several times a day to force your kitten to stop playing long enough to eat and drink.

Use a pelletted litter, such as Feline Pine or pelletted newspaper, for the first few weeks after getting your kitten home. This is what we at Tikka Sky use and what the kittens are used to. It will not harm them if they ingest some of it.

Very important: Please contact us with any and all questions. We will do our best to advise you regarding any situation.

The Don’ts

Give your kitten full run of the house immediately or access to other pets. Sniffing under the door is okay.

DO NOT Move the litter box for the first couple of weeks: it will confuse your kitten. When/if you find it necessary to move it, place your kitten in it several times to establish its location.

Introduce too many people to your kitten at first. It can overwhelm your baby. After he/she is comfortable and confident in your home, gradually introduce new people.

Leave a down comforter on your bed for the first few weeks if your kitten is sleeping with you. A down comforter may feel like a litter box under his/her little paws and, consequently, may be used as one.

Take your kitten outside, even on a harness, until your kitten has had all of his or her vaccinations.

Finally! Your New Bengal Kitten Is Home

The wait can seem endless! The day you choose your new Bengal kitten to the day your new family member comes home can feel like forever! But fill the days by preparing for your kitten’s all-important arrival and time whizzes by. So now is the perfect time to mentally prepare yourself and physically prepare your home to make your kitten’s transition as smooth as possible.

It is important to understand that placing a Bengal kitten on an airplane is not much more stressful for a kitten than driving him or her a few hours to a new home. What is stressful is the confusion of being taken from his or her former surroundings and separated from his or her siblings, the constant companions your baby has been used to playing with, eating with and sleeping on 24/7 since birth.

Arriving Home

When your Bengal kitten first arrives, we recommend you have a small room ready for him/her, such as a bathroom where your kitten can’t hide under anything, where food, water and litter box are all readily accessible, and allow your kitten to come out of the carrier on his/her own. Some Bengal kittens will barrel out as soon as the carrier door is opened. Others are less confident and may require coaxing. You’ll find a feather teaser toy has been attached to the carrier to help entice your kitten if he or she needs a little cajoling. Once out of the carrier, allow your new baby time to explore the room. Gently place him or her in the litter box and point out the location of the food and water bowls. Offer your Bengal kitten a small amount of wet food.  

Bonding With Your Baby

The best way to win a Bengal kitten over is with a toy! They can hardly resist feather toys. Take the time to sit on the floor with your kitten, at his or her level, and play with your Bengal kitten. This will quickly help form a bond between you. However, once finished playing, place feather toy, and toys with cords, out of reach. Feathers and cords are too tempting to chew on and swallow.

Bengal kittens usually choose to crawl up onto your bed to sleep with you. If allowed, your kitten will feel very comfortable and will bond more quickly with you. However, Bengal kittens will sometimes wake up groggy, sense the soft, squishy feeling of the comforter/mattress, and, without thinking, relieve themselves. So be aware of the “waking kitten” and place him or her in the litter box as soon as baby starts to stir.

If you have other pets in your home, we recommend waiting until your kitten is completely comfortable and bonded with you and your family before introducing them. If introduced too quickly, your Bengal kitten could bond more closely with your other pets than with your family.

The Quarantine Period

If you do have other pets, a seven-day minimum quarantine period for your Bengal kitten is imperative. This protects your kitten as well as your other pets from “picking up a strange bug.” Since kittens are stressed during a transition period, their immunity is generally weakened and they are more apt to succumb. While it is common for an adult animal with a strong immune system to carry viral strains that don’t affect them, a Bengal kitten with a weakened immune system, exposed to the same virus, could easily contract the virus. So keeping your kitten separate for a minimum of seven days is very important. Ideally 10-14 days would be best.

Having Run of the House

Once your Bengal kitten is comfortable in the small room, he/she can be allowed access to more of the house. Starting with the master bedroom that connects to your kitten’s bathroom, is ideal. When your Bengal kitten readily comes to you to play and socialize, you can permit him or her more run of the home. And once your kitten has run of the house, we recommend keeping several litter boxes throughout the house for the first couple of months. As your Bengal kitten starts to explore, be sure to set him/her into the new litter boxes several times during the first few days. Even with multiple boxes available, we recommend you give your kitten time-out sessions in his or her original bathroom/bedroom to encourage your Bengal kitten to take time to eat and drink and use the litter box. See also: Dangerous cords and poisonous plants as well as More Childproofing below.

Litter and Litter Boxes

To prevent confusion, use the same litter your Bengal kitten has been used to at Tikka Sky Bengals , Feline Pine,  a pelletted pine litter with a completely different scent and texture than clumping litter. If you choose, after a week or so, you can begin mixing the pelletted litter with a clumping litter to get the kitten converted to the litter of your choice. When your Bengal kitten is very comfortable and familiar with your home and uses the litter box without incident, you can remove some of the litter boxes. Recommendations from cat experts dictate one litter box per cat, plus one extra. So if you have two cats, you should provide three litter boxes.

Dangerous Cords and Poisonous Plants

As they begin to explore the house, Bengal kittens will usually be attracted to cords for a while. The phase usually lasts for only a few weeks, but those weeks can be challenging. Spraying or wiping “Bitter Apple” or vinegar on the cords will quickly discourage cord chewing. Reapplying may be necessary once or more weekly (you can also get cord protectors for exposed cords). It is also a good idea to know where your circuit breaker box is located, just in case you need to quickly cut the power.  If your Bengal kitten does bite through a wire NEVER touch the kitten or try to unplug the wire! IMMEDIATELY cut all electrical power and RUSH your kitten to the nearest veterinarian or emergency clinic.

Please Note - Eye Opening

Kittens are also drawn to plants.  Make sure your house plants are not toxic. You can check for poisonous plants at www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/.

More Childproofing

The curiosity and high energy of a hybrid requires the extra care you would give to a human baby in the crawling stage, and possibly then some.

From today on, hide all plastic bags, including grocery bags. They are chewable, very attractive to most hybrids, and can readily cause intestinal blockage. Check for and remove all small objects such as rubber bands and chewable rubber toys, cellophane tape and plastic wrappings, ribbons and string, and small plastic objects. Frequently check toys. Toss those that are very worn or broken.

Lock away medications (even Tylenol and asperin can be fatal to a cat), poisons and cleaning products.

Remove or place heavy objects, vases, and other valuables in an area where your kitten won’t be injured and your precious possessions will be secure.

Close toilet lids, keep your Bengal kitten away from a bathtub or sink filled with water. A quick jump and a kitten may be out of his or her depth.

Take care with rocking chairs, mechanical loungers, and hot stove surfaces.

Be sure all small crawl spaces are blocked, floor vents included. A curious Bengal kitten will want to explore and can get caught where you may not be able to reach them.

Be on guard opening and closing doors, including refrigerator and freezer, washer and dryer doors.

“No!” and Time out

Some Bengal kittens will try to play rough, biting or growling at toys. This is not a behavior to encourage. Firmly tell your kitten “No!” A firm tap on the nose may be necessary. A time-out session can also be very helpful. This is done by placing your Bengal kitten into their small room or into a crate/carrier for fifteen minutes or so. After a few time-outs, most kittens will understand that what they are doing will warrant punishment. Since they don’t like confinement, behavior will be curbed.

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Preparing For My Kitten’s Arrival – The Checklist

🐾 New Kitten Supply Checklist

Everything You Need to Welcome Your Bengal Kitten Home with Comfort and Confidence

Bringing home a Bengal kitten is such a joyful moment, and having the right supplies ready makes the transition smooth and comforting for both you and your new little one. This gentle checklist is designed to help you prepare your home with warmth, intention, and love — so your kitten feels safe, supported, and ready to bond.

❤️ The Essentials Your Kitten Will Need

🛏️ A Cozy Safe Space

Your kitten will feel most secure if they start in a small, quiet room. Prepare it with:

•              A soft bed or blanket

•              A few hiding spots (a box with a blanket works beautifully)

•              A warm, calm atmosphere

This becomes their “home base” as they adjust.

🐈 Litter & Litterbox Supplies

Your kitten will already be litterbox trained, but having familiar supplies helps them succeed right away.

•              A small, low‑sided litterbox

•              The same litter they’ve been using here (Pine Pellets)

•              A scoop

•              A mat to catch stray litter

Avoid scented litters at first — gentle and familiar is best.

🍽️ Food & Feeding Supplies

We’ll send you home with the food your kitten is currently eating. To keep their tummy happy, have these ready:

•              Their current food A RAW DIET. We will be sending home information on where to order it.

•              Shallow food dishes

•              A water bowl or fountain (Bengals love running water)

If you plan to switch foods later, we’ll guide you through a slow, gentle transition.

🧸 Toys & Enrichment

Bengals are playful, curious, and intelligent. A few well‑chosen toys go a long way:

•              Wand toys

•              Soft toys for carrying and kicking

•              Puzzle feeders

•              A scratching post or cardboard scratcher

•              A climbing tree or shelves (Bengals adore height)

Playtime is one of the best ways to bond.

🚗 Travel & Safety

For the trip home and future vet visits, you’ll need:

•              A secure, comfortable carrier

•              A soft blanket or towel inside

A cozy carrier helps your kitten feel safe during travel.

🧼 Grooming & Care Items

Bengals are low‑maintenance, but a few basics help keep them healthy:

•              Nail clippers

•              A soft brush

Gentle grooming sessions also build trust.

💛 Optional But Helpful

These aren’t required, but many families find them wonderful:

•              A cat tree with multiple levels

•              A window perch

•              A second litterbox if your home is large

•              A pet camera for peace of mind

🐾 A Final Note From Our Family

Preparing for your kitten is such a special part of the journey. Every blanket you fold, every toy you choose, every cozy corner you set up — it all helps your kitten feel welcomed and loved from the moment they arrive.

And remember, you’re never alone in this. If you have questions about supplies, setup, or anything else, we’re always here to help.

Enjoy Your Bengal Kitten

Hybrid Bengal kittens can offer challenges. But the enjoyment and entertainment they provide is endless. Being prepared for the possible challenges will only make your relationship with your new companion more rewarding. Seeing your kitten’s eager face when you return home, so happy to see you and wanting to play, makes you look forward to the end of the day and getting home to your cat. We hope this helps give you some tips on taking care of a Bengal cat and that you enjoy every moment of preparing/kitten-proofing your home as well as training your new Bengal kitten!