In the picturesque area of Holland, there reside a pair of attractive feline siblings that take great pleasure in keeping their cat mom on her toes. These two lively cats can be quite a handful, but their affectionate human wouldn’t have it any other way. Whether they’re safely venturing into the great outdoors or dipping their paws into the freshest water, River and Rio embody the essence of coolness for Bengal cats.
I had a chance to interview their cat mom with the hopes of featuring them on our website, and fortunately for me, she agreed. So, without further ado, keep reading to discover all about this dynamic cat duo that epitomizes the perfect blend of chaos and mischief.
What inspired the names of your furry friends? As a Bengal cat lover, I knew that water is one of their favorite things to play with, so I wanted to choose names that represented this. That’s why I decided to name my first cat River even before I got him. I simply fell in love with the name. When it was time to name my second cat, Rio was one of my top choices. Although I also considered Rayan, it just didn’t feel right. Eventually, I settled on Rio because my parents-in-law spent many years in Mexico where most roads are named Rio. The fact that River and Rio sound cute together was also a bonus.
Could you tell us about their favorite hobbies, personalities, and relationship with each other?
What makes River and Rio stand out from the rest? Is there something special you’d like people to know about them?
What do they enjoy doing in their free time?
River’s favorite pastime is taking strolls in the woods or exploring the neighborhood. He adores running after birds and flies, not to mention relaxing and dozing off.
Rio’s preferred leisure activity is playing around. Devouring cardboard boxes is his ultimate delight. Pursuing flies and scaling any forbidden spot are some of his other favorites.
How do these two furry friends fare with one another? Fortunately, they get along splendidly. However, the initial few weeks proved to be a bit of a challenge, especially since I had to take them both to the UK by ferry from Holland just a week after bringing Rio home. During the first 3-4 days, we had to keep them apart and let them get accustomed to each other’s scent. We then slowly introduced them through short, supervised play sessions and gradually increased their time together. They engage in playful fights sometimes, but they also have a deep affection for each other. Although both pets are independent, it is heartwarming to see them snuggled up together since it doesn’t happen often. They do, however, regularly groom each other throughout the day.
Can you describe their personalities?
Despite being half-brothers with the same father, River and Rio have vastly different personalities. River possesses an inquisitive, daring, and curious nature, but he is very introverted. He seldom speaks, which is atypical for his breed, Bengals. On the other hand, Rio is more vocal, chatty all day long, and incredibly playful. Although he’s curious when he feels at ease in his surroundings, he’s also very reserved and timid.
What sets River and Rio apart?
River is a natural-born adventurer and explorer, spending all day outside if given the opportunity. Unfortunately, he isn’t much of a lap cat; instead, he prefers to trail behind me like a shadow. Rio has only recently started exploring the forest on a leash, choosing to stay near either his brother or me. At home, he is content playing and not one for sitting on laps. Nevertheless, he can be found snuggled at my feet on the bed most mornings.
Is there anything about River and Rio that you would like to share?
Rio was my 40th birthday gift, brought home on the day itself, after experiencing a tough few months since my dad’s passing. The two cats have brought tremendous happiness and sunshine into our lives, and we wouldn’t change them for the world. They keep the house lively and exciting, and there’s never a dull moment with them around.
