Bengal cats are famous for their boundless energy and playful nature. Don’t be shocked if they often get the “cat zoomies!” These lively kitties need lots of mental challenges and love having plenty of playtime. Make sure they have enough room to run, jump, and satisfy their curiosity.

Energy Levels and Temperament

Both Bengal and Savannah cats are renowned for their high energy, intelligence, and need for a stimulating environment. However, their wild ancestry influences their temperament and the demands they place on their owners. Savannah cats, in particular, require more physical and mental stimulation due to their more recent lineage from the wild serval.

Comparing Bengal and Savannah Cats

• Energy Level: Bengals are energetic, quick, and athletic, while Savannahs often exhibit even higher energy levels, especially in earlier generations, with boundless enthusiasm.
• Ancestry: Bengals descend from the Asian Leopard Cat, whereas Savannahs descend from the African serval.
• Key Behaviours: Bengals enjoy interactive toys and games that engage their hunting instincts, can be trained to perform complex tricks, and many enjoy playing in water. Savannahs are athletic jumpers, capable of leaping over eight feet, highly curious, able to open doors and cupboards, and often display "dog-like" personalities by following their owners around.
• Environmental Needs: Bengals require ample physical and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behaviour; a large cat wheel can be beneficial. Savannahs need a large home with plenty of vertical space for climbing, and an interactive play area. A secure outdoor enclosure is highly recommended.
• Vocalisation: Bengals are communicative but generally less vocal than Savannahs, who tend to be very vocal with a variety of howls and chirps.
• Best Owner Match: Bengals suit active families looking for a playful and intelligent cat and are slightly more compact, making them suitable for indoor living with enough stimulation. Savannahs are best for experienced, active, and diligent owners who have plenty of time for training and play, as they are less suitable for those seeking a calm, relaxed cat.

Important Considerations for Ownership

• Time Commitment: Both breeds demand more attention and interaction than the average house cat.
• Wild Instincts: Their wildcat ancestry means strong hunting instincts; caution is advised if you have small pets like rodents or birds.
• Legality: Ownership of Savannah cats may be restricted or illegal in certain areas, especially for earlier generations (F1–F4). Always check local regulations before acquiring one.
• Destructive Potential: Without consistent enrichment, bored Bengals or Savannahs may engage in destructive behaviours such as climbing curtains or scratching furniture.

Insufficient stimulation in cats can result in problematic behaviours. When a cat lacks adequate activity, they may resort to undesirable actions such as scratching curtains. To prevent your pet from damaging your furniture, it is essential to ensure they receive regular exercise.

Engage your cat with a variety of interactive activities to provide necessary physical exercise. Encourage them to chase a laser pointer or bubbles, offer interactive toys, or play hide-and-seek using treats. Items such as cat trees and exercise wheels also promote activity. Additionally, you can train your cat to walk on a leash, and catnip remains a widely favoured stimulant.

Equally important is providing mental stimulation. Activities like watching fish in an aquarium or offering a window perch can captivate your cat’s attention. Since each cat has individual preferences, some may not respond to certain toys such as feather wands. Therefore, having multiple exercise options enables you to identify the most engaging activities for your feline companion.

7 Methods to Encourage Cat Exercise Through Play

Engaging your cat in playtime helps them stretch their muscles, expend energy, and maintain physical health.

1. Play Hide-and-Seek

Stimulate your cat’s natural hunting instincts by hiding their favourite treats around the room. Increase the challenge by placing treats under, behind, and atop various objects. Utilise elevated spaces such as cat trees, bookshelves, and windowsills to encourage climbing and jumping.

2. Leash Training

Surprisingly, cats can be trained to walk on a leash. Begin by acclimating your cat to the harness. If your cat is receptive, leash walks provide both exercise and enriching outdoor experiences filled with new sights, sounds, and smells.

3. Pull a String

A classic favourite, cats are irresistibly attracted to string. Drag a piece along the floor to capture their attention, allowing them to “catch” it occasionally. Always supervise play involving strings and replace them with safer toys to prevent hazards.

4. Chasing a Laser Pointer

Use a laser pointer to entertain your cat by moving the light around the room. Ensure you allow your cat to “catch” the light or reward them with a treat to conclude the session satisfactorily.

5. Pop Some Bubbles

Simple pleasures such as bubbles can captivate your cat. They will enjoy chasing and popping them. For added excitement, consider catnip-infused bubbles.

6. Utilise Everyday Objects Creatively

Playtime need not be expensive. Cats delight in cardboard boxes, crinkly paper bags, and toilet paper tubes. However, never leave your cat unattended with these items to ensure safety.

7. Floating Ping Pong Balls

Contrary to popular belief, many cats enjoy water play. Fill a shallow container with water and add ping pong balls. Your cat will be fascinated by their movement and enjoy batting them around. Always supervise water play to ensure safety.

Additional Products to Encourage Cat Exercise

Consider larger items that provide extensive exercise opportunities. Ensure there is adequate space for setup so your cat can easily access them.

Cat Wheel

If outdoor access is limited, a cat exercise wheel offers an excellent indoor alternative. Choose one lined with sisal to provide traction and incorporate scratching into the activity.

Cat Trees

Cat trees offer multiple levels for climbing, jumping, and scratching. They provide designated areas for nail maintenance, benefiting both your cat and your furniture. This helps prevent furniture damage and promotes healthy nails.

Catios

Indoor cats can safely enjoy the outdoors with a catio (cat patio). This enclosed space allows your cat to run, climb, jump, and play while remaining secure.

You may construct a catio yourself or hire a professional. It is an excellent solution for cats experiencing spring fever or those who enjoy sunbathing.

Additional Activities for Mental Stimulation

If cats could communicate verbally, their needs would be clearer. Instead, they express themselves through behaviour. Signs of boredom include anxiety, disruptive actions, or excessive vocalisation.

While physical exercise is vital, mental stimulation is equally crucial to your cat’s well-being. Consider these straightforward methods to engage your cat’s mind and fulfil their cognitive needs.

Set Up a Bird Feeder

If your cat has a preferred window perch, create a comfortable space for observation. Position a bird feeder within view but out of reach to provide visual enrichment.

Use Interactive Toys

A sound-producing mouse toy containing catnip can be irresistible. Alternatively, spread soft cat food on a Neat-Lik Mat to create a tasty challenge. Other options include moving toys, treat puzzles, and classic rattle, feather, or crinkle toys.

Acquire an Aquarium

An aquarium offers captivating visual stimulation. Ensure all aquatic inhabitants are secure and inaccessible to your curious cat.

Create a Cat-Friendly Obstacle Course

Design an obstacle course using pillows, cardboard boxes, and cushions to encourage both mental and physical engagement. Place treats throughout the course to motivate your cat to navigate the path.

Time to Play!

Investing time in interactive play keeps your cat healthy and content. A satisfied cat is less likely to engage in destructive behaviour, benefiting both your pet and your home.

Clicker training your cat is an engaging and highly effective technique to promote positive behaviour, strengthen your bond, and teach tricks through positive reinforcement. Below is a detailed guide to help you get started:

Required Materials

1. A clicker – a small handheld device that produces a distinct clicking sound.

2. High-value treats – small, soft, and aromatic treats your cat enjoys (such as chicken, tuna, or commercial cat treats).

3. Patience and brief sessions – limit training sessions to approximately 3–5 minutes each.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Condition the Clicker

Click the device, then immediately offer your cat a treat.

Repeat this 10–15 times until your cat associates the click with receiving a reward.

When your cat anticipates a treat upon hearing the click, the association is established.

2. Begin with Simple Behaviours

Start by reinforcing natural, easy behaviours:

Sit: Hold a treat above your cat’s head. When they sit naturally to look up, click and reward.

Touch Target: Present your finger or a target stick. When your cat sniffs or touches it, click and reward.

3. Introduce a Cue

Once your cat reliably performs the behaviour:

Say the cue word (e.g., “sit” or “touch”) immediately before the behaviour.

Click and reward only when your cat responds correctly to the cue.

4. Gradually Increase Difficulty

Progress to more advanced tricks such as:

High five / paw

Spin

Come when called

Jump onto a perch

Always break down complex behaviours into manageable, achievable steps.

5. Maintain a Positive Approach

Never punish your cat for failing to perform a behaviour.

Conclude sessions on a positive note, even if the success is minor.

Use the clicker exclusively to mark desired behaviours—not to gain attention or discourage unwanted actions.

Expert Tips

Conduct training sessions before meals when your cat is slightly hungry.

Cats respond best in quiet, distraction-free environments.

Ensure precise timing—the click should coincide exactly with the behaviour, not afterwards.

Practice daily, keeping sessions brief and enjoyable.

7-Day Cat Clicker Training Plan

Day 1 – Introduce the Clicker

Objective: Establish the association between the click sound and receiving a treat.

Steps:
1. Sit quietly with your cat in a calm environment.
2. Click once, then immediately offer a treat.
3. Repeat this sequence 10–15 times in brief sessions.
4. Conclude when your cat begins anticipating a treat upon hearing the click.

Tip: Ensure the click and treat delivery occur within one second for maximum effectiveness.

Day 2 – Target Training

Objective: Train your cat to touch a designated target, such as a stick or your finger.

Steps:
1. Present the target near your cat’s nose.
2. When your cat sniffs or touches the target, click and immediately provide a treat.
3. Repeat multiple times, gradually increasing the distance of the target.

Purpose: This foundational skill supports future tricks like “spin,” “jump,” or “follow.”

Day 3 – Teach “Sit”

Objective: Encourage your cat to sit on command.

Steps:
1. Hold a treat just above your cat’s head.
2. When your cat naturally lowers its hindquarters, click and reward.
3. Introduce the verbal cue “sit” just before the action.
4. Practice 5–10 repetitions, concluding with praise.

Tip: Never physically manipulate your cat; allow them to respond voluntarily.

Day 4 – Add “Touch” or “Come” Commands

Objective: Develop a reliable recall or touch response.

Option 1:
Use your finger as a target. When your cat touches it with their nose, click and treat.
Option 2:
Call your cat’s name followed by “come.” When they approach, click and reward generously.

Note: Keep recall training positive by avoiding calling your cat for unpleasant activities such as nail trims.

Day 5 – Build Confidence

Objective: Promote exploration and comfort with new objects.

Steps:
1. Place a small box or mat on the floor.
2. When your cat sniffs or steps onto it, click and treat.
3. Gradually encourage behaviors like “paws on” or “sit on the mat.”

Tip: This exercise helps shy cats gain confidence and prepares them for agility training.

Day 6 – Teach a Trick (“High Five” or “Spin”)

Objective: Enhance engagement through fun tricks.

High Five:
1. Hold a treat in your closed hand.
2. Wait for your cat to paw at your hand, then click and treat.
3. Introduce the cue “high five.”

Spin:
4. Use a treat to lure your cat in a small circle.
5. When your cat completes the spin, click and reward.
6. Add the verbal cue “spin.”

Day 7 – Practice & Review

Objective: Reinforce all previously taught commands.

Steps:
1. Review all cues: sit, touch, come, and trick.
2. Randomize the order of commands.
3. Reward each correct response.
4. Conclude with playtime or affectionate interaction.

Tip: Keep sessions brief and conclude on a positive note. Cats learn most effectively when training is enjoyable.

Weekly Routine After Day 7

Practice training for 5 minutes twice daily.
Introduce new tricks gradually.
Apply clicker training to everyday activities, such as entering a carrier or remaining calm during grooming.