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Welcome, Crazy Cat People!
We all agree that getting a new kitten is very exciting and there are often lots of questions that you may have when deciding the right kitten for you. Not only are you wondering what breed to get but you may also be wondering ”Should I get a male or female Bengal kitten?”
I used my knowledge of this breed and did some independent research to answer your question.
Bengal cats seem to have very similar personalities regardless of sex. There are however some slight differences, especially if your Bengal cat has not been spayed/neutered. Male Bengal cats tend to be larger while females tend to be very slender.
There does tend to be pro’s and con’s for each gender but as a general rule Bengal cats are friendly, intelligent and have very high energy levels regardless of sex and I would say this is the most important aspect that needs to be considered when deciding if this breed is right for you.
They also require a little more attention than some other breeds so make sure you have the time for plenty of play!
In this post, I share with you some general traits of each sex and delve a little deeper into their personalities to help you make the right choice for you and your family, so keep reading to find out all you need to know!
Is a Male or Female Bengal Cat Better?
Before we get into this and examine the personality traits of male vs Female Bengals one thing I must stress is that all cats are different. These are purely general traits and you may find that once you have adopted your Bengal that they completely fall outside these generalisations.
There is so much that can impact the traits of your little fur baby but it’s always important to make sure that the kitten has been with their mother for at least 12 weeks, this is the age where they learn how to socialise with other cats and learn everything they need to know. Behaviour issues can arise from not letting the kitten be with their mother during this crucial time.
Another thing that you must bear in mind is if your cat has been spayed/neutered as this will have a massive impact on personality traits. Cats become sexually mature at around 5-6 months and if they are left un-neutered this is when their little bodies will be coursing with sex hormones.
Imagine how you would feel if you were never allowed to have sex or have some form of release? Frustrated? The need to go looking for a potential mate? Your feline friend is no different.
Generally, cats who have been neutered/spayed will mellow out a lot and become much more friendly and less stressed in general.
I came across an article on hills pets that said,
”Behavioral differences between male and female cats are most obvious in pets that are not neutered or spayed, since the behavioral differences usually are related to the cat’s sex drive”.
Hillspets
There is also the risk that not having your cat neutered/spayed may lead to them having more kittens. Do you want to have lots of kittens? If so then that’s okay but the last thing we need is more unwanted cats and kittens so it’s always a good idea to think carefully about your choices.
I thought I would put together a handy table for you that highlights the key differences between male and female Bengal cats and I have noted at the side the traits that tend to occur in cats that still have their bits intact.
*Again these are generalised traits and your cat may differ from the stereotype
| Male Bengal Cat | Female Bengal Cat |
| Said to be more energetic | Said to be calmer than the male |
| Bigger build with more muscle – 14-18 lbs | Often slender and thin – 10-14 lbs |
| More likely to stray (Non-neutered) | Instinctively motherly |
| More likely to get along with another female or male cat | More defensive when meeting new animals and people |
| Tendency to spray on items in the home (Non-Neutered) | More of a tendency to pick one person and be ”their” pet (Clingy to one person) |
| Due to being very energetic they may de destructive if not given enough stimulation. | An older house cat may find it hard to be introduced to a new young female |
| Some say males are more affectionate with a variety of different people and less defensive | Protective |
| Can be very vocal when in heat (Not-spayed) |
Are Male Bengals More Affectionate than Females?
As a general rule, it is said that male Bengal Cats can be more affectionate with a wide variety of people and other pets whereas the female Bengal can be more territorial and has a tendency to pick one person as their favourite. However, each cat will have there own individual personality traits.
This information was taken from studying numerous answers on Reddit and other forums from actual Bengal owners but they all agreed that it is a lottery when deciding on which sex to choose.
Some owners said that their females were far more affectionate than their male cats.
With my two cats, the male tends to be affectionate with me, my partner and anyone else who comes into the home whereas the female cat just wants to be around me all of the time and she can get jealous of other people.
They are both as affectionate as each other just in different ways.
Are Male Bengal Cats Aggressive?
Bengal cats can be very territorial, more so than other breeds. They will claim their territory and if needed they will fight for it regardless of sex.
This may be due to their wild nature, they were only domesticated in the 1970s and they originate from a cross between an Asian snow leopard and a domestic cat.
Maybe their extremely territorial nature is due to their wild side?
This is not to say that they are aggressive pets but if needed they can be. That’s why it’s a good idea to make sure your Bengal is socialised from a young age. They need to be with their mother and siblings for at least 8-12 weeks to make sure they learn all the key skills and how to behave.
Male cats, in general, can be more aggressive if they are not neutered, with all that testosterone running through their bodies they may fight with other cats if they are allowed to roam outdoors especially if there is a local female in heat. This is their natural instinctive behaviour and the only way to prevent this is to make sure they no longer have their bits intact.
Bengal cats generally do better in pairs however it’s a good idea to make sure you get two Bengals from a young age so they can grow up together and learn to live with each other. I made a whole blog post on finding a companion for your Bengal and you can read this very informative post by clicking here!
I would also make sure to give your Bengal cats access to plenty of vertical space in your home, they are keen climbers and jumpers and having an environment that stimulates their instincts will reduce any cat aggression in the home.
Check out this wall mounted cat set with ladders, cat houses and shelves!
Conclusion : Male vs female Bengal cats
So should you get a male or female Bengal cat?
There is not much difference in personality traits between males and females when they are neutered/spayed. Bengals, in general, tend to be loving friendly cats but they have such high energy levels regardless of sex. So what’s more important is not the sex you choose but whether a Bengal cat is right for you and your family.
There are some subtle differences between the sex of your cat but it shouldn’t be your deciding factor, it’s more important to select the correct breed of cat. In my blog I go into detail on many different breeds and my collection of articles is growing by the day so feel free to navigate to my menu on my homepage and take a look around and do your research so you can find the perfect breed for you.
Related posts on the Bengal cat
Are Bengal cats good for first-time owners?
Will Bengal cats sleep in bed with you?
11 cute ways Bengal cats show that they love you
What do Bengal cats look like?
Do Bengal cats need a lot of attention?
As always take care of yourself and your little fur babies!
Mark (The Crazy Cat Man)
