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Do Bengal Cats Run Away – Dealing With Roaming Pets

Do Bengal Cats Run Away – Dealing With Roaming Pets

Bengal cats are some of the most fun, interactive, and active cat breeds in the world; with all that energy, it can be tough to watch them the entire time with indoor cats especially if they get a view of the outside, they may run outdoors so, do Bengal cats run away?

Bengal cats can run away. Unneutered male cats are more likely to roam further than female cats. Limiting outdoor time, keeping cats indoors, and alternative activities can help prevent cats from running away.

So yes, a Bengal cat can run away just like any other cat breed. This behavior is actually quite uncommon though, especially among indoor cats. Whenever a cat runs away, it can be disheartening for the owner. In this article, I’ll share some tips and facts about cats running away; and ways you can help prevent the behavior so that your cat can enjoy a happy and healthy life indoors.

How Likely Are Bengal Cats To Run Away

Bengal cats are not likely to run away. Although they are very sociable and adventurous cats and naturally like to explore, they do not dart away from their home territory. Bengal cats find comfort in a home environment, and most indoor pets are like this. 

If your Bengal cat was raised indoors, they are even less likely to run away, and that most might only travel 10 meters or so. If you want to limit the likelihood of your cat running away, then it’s best to raise them indoors than outdoors.

In general, outdoor cats especially have a personality geared towards exploration and being adventurous. If they see something off in the distance, there is a chance that they may try to run over to that location. If the distance is super far, your cat probably won’t bother with it.

Just like any other cat breed, Bengal cats are avid observers. So, just because you let your cat outside, even if they are an indoor cat, the likelihood of them running away is just very low.

Can You Leave Bengal Cats Alone

The first question you might have with Bengal cats as if they can be left alone. Yes, Bengal cats can be left alone, however, not for too long. Ideally, you never want to leave a cat alone for more than 24 hours. If your cat is outdoors, you never want to leave them alone for more than a few minutes as they can get the itch to explore and run away. 

As long as a Bengal cat is left indoors, they can go for a long time left alone. If your Bengal cat is an outdoor cat, you will seriously want to consider limiting the amount of outdoor time they have without being monitored

Outdoor cats are more prone to the following:

  • Diseases and Predators
  • Injuries
  • Sunburn
  • Getting lost
  • Running away

That last point is crucial because that’s exactly what you don’t want to happen; for your cat to run away.

Your cat may have the urge to run away from the territory they already know. It’s not likely though. Because cats are so territorial, running away does not often happen with outdoor cats; however, it’s still can. In a lot of cases, cats will return home because they are familiar with specific territories. However, some cats never do return home. 

So if you’re thinking of leaving your Bengal cat alone for a length of time, consider whether they are an indoor or outdoor cat. This will help you make the decision much more easily.

If you do plan to let your Bengal cat be alone outdoors, consider getting a pet monitoring kit. These kits usually come with HD cameras and microphones that work with apps and sync seamlessly with your home. This is helpful if you can’t always be outside with your cat, or if they are in an area where they could easily run away. 

Also, consider setting a timer on your smart device. It’s easy to lose track of time so taking these steps helps you be more responsible as a pet owner, knowing just how long your cat was left alone and when it’s time to return. 

Do Cats Come Back Home After They Run Away

Any event that you’re Bengal cat runs away from home; you may be wondering if they will ever return. Yes, cats do come back after they run away. Cats have a great memory and a great sense of smell and territory. Because of this, although they may leave their home are, they still know how to get back to that location.

Cats are creatures of habit. They understand that the home is their source of food, water, and attention from pet owners.

When a cat runs away, they lose all of this, and I don’t just immediately jump into a new routine of finding food, sources of water, and human interaction. Naturally, they will return to where they come from; their sense of smell can help them trace their way back and just familiarity with the area. If your cat runs a long distance away, then it is unlikely that they’ll return.

It is not uncommon for cats to run away on multiple occasions and continuously return to their home. If you want to truly stop this behavior, you may want to set up fencing or other deterrents to stop your cat from leaving a specific area. Also, monitoring your cat, or even using the leash when they’re outdoors can help prevent this from happening.

Often, cats that run away will run to the nearest human that they find they can be a search of food or sometimes just in search of somebody to take care of them as they have generally been lost. In that case, you may want to check around your neighborhood to see if your cat has shown up there as chances are they will not stay outside once they have left their home area.

How Far Do Bengal Cats Roam

Bengal cats can roam far away. Since a Bengal cat is one of the most adventurous cat breeds out there, they are not afraid to go far distances. The amount of distance a cat roams depends on the environment they are in.

For example, if a Bengal cat is in an environment with a low amount of predators, open views, and quietness, they are more likely to roam further and be comfortable doing that. On the other hand, if you live in a wooded area with plenty of places for predators to hide, and a cat is unfamiliar with the sense and surrounding, they are less likely to leave their location.

If your Bengal cat is an indoor cat, they will roam less than an outdoor cat. Indoor cats tend to roam only 20 – 80 meters at most. If your Bengal cat is an outdoor cat, there really are no limitations on how far it will roam.

Usually, if you own an outdoor cat, they are already in a routine and won’t go any further than what you’ve already fed them to do. Often, pet owners will use electric fences to keep their pets within a confined area. This can be helpful when your first training a cat, and then as they become used to their surroundings, they were naturally not trying to go beyond that area for the remainder of their life.

How Do You Attract A Cat Back Home

If your cat runs away, you might be wondering how you can attract your cat back home. Here are a few tips to help you locate your cat and encourage them to return back to their home.

Microchip Your Cat

The first tip is to microchip your cat. Microchipping pets is a widespread practice, and it can help you locate your pet and ease your mind of worrying. These are her chips use GPS technology that allows you to track your cat from your smartphone if you want it to.

That’s pretty cool. Microchipping your Bengal cat is a smart idea because it gives you peace of mind always to know where your cat is located, whether they are within the confines of your home, outside in the yard, or if they decide to be adventurous and run away.

Use Treats And Toys

If your cat has run away and you’ve caught up to them, you can always lure them back in with treats. Bring some food with you as you venture off to find your cat.

If it’s something they like, they’ll run up to you to get a taste. At that moment, you can safely secure them and return them home. This often works if your cat has ended up at a neighbors home as well. Because they are unfamiliar with their current location, they may be hesitant to move. Toys, blankets, and pillows also work the same way, just be sure it is something they are familiar with and that has their scent. ‘

Be Patient

Cats are nocturnal creatures, and it’s not uncommon for them to return back home in the late hours of the night after they’ve run away. Leave out some food, or a bowl of water by your door. Chances are, your cat will return back to that location looking for a source of energy. 

How To Stop Cats From Running Away

Many times a cat runs away because it is not monitored and frankly, bored with its current surroundings. When cats run away, they are intrigued by something, and so you might be wondering if some different ways you can keep your cat engaged in a safe environment.

So instead of letting your cat outside, here are a couple of alternatives to discouraging them from running away.

  • The first idea is to get your cat more toys. Cats are always looking for something to spark their interest. Bengal cats especially love to get out there and play, so having plenty of cat trees around toy mice, electronic toys, and more can keep your cat entertained while in the house.
  • The next step is to train your cat to use a leash. This is the safest way to take your cat Outdoors or even had them by the door any capacity. I have a new leash; if your cat decides to dart, you have complete control to bring them back in. This allows your cat to have a safe play experience.
  • Secure the doors of our home. Cats are smart, and can actually open certain doors with enough practice. Consider changing the kind of doorknobs you have in the home, especially those that lead outside. 
  • Use a scat mat. Scat mats work really well for keeping cats away from certain entry points, countertops, and more. Place these by the door and your cat will avoid it altogether. Bengal cats are quite clever and could jump over these, so be mindful of that.
  • Put your cat on a schedule. If you plan to let your cat go outside, you should be consistent about when you allow those activities to take place. Cats love routine, so if you plan to have them go outside at 3:00 pm every day, make sure to keep up with that schedule. Also, have strict times for bringing them indoors. Some cats can be trained to come in on their own.
  • Lastly, train your Bengal cat. Using a clicker, you can train your cat to respond to certain words, food, toys, and other actions that you take. One trick you can teach your cat is to stay put while you go to them, or even train them to walk over to you for a treat. Doing this can help greatly if they do start to run and you need to stop them in their tracks. 

Final Thoughts

Anytime a cat runs away, it’s not a good feeling. Runaway cats are not always the easiest to find, especially if you don’t have them microchipped.

If you want to ensure that your Bengal cat does not run away, the best thing you can do is supervise their outdoor play. Ensure all the doors around your home are locked and that your cat cannot easily get outside. If you bring your cat outside for play, make sure to use a leash and train them to be comfortable with that so that they are not finicky.

If you decide to let your cat outside without a leash, you must limit the amount of time they are outside, and consider an electric fence so that your cat does not go beyond a certain distance.

In general, if you live in a wooded area, it is not advisable to allow your cat to be outside as animals such as coyotes and other pests can hurt them. Lastly, keep your cat entertained. Cats that have a strong bond with you, a strong sense of home, and understand where their needs are filled are more likely to return home if they do run away.