When we speak of something as being hypoallergenic, we are referring to the fact that it is very unlikely to cause an allergic reaction in a susceptible individual. In light of all that has been said, the answer to your question is that Bengal cats are, in fact, hypoallergenic. If you are allergic to cats, you should not immediately assume that you will not react to a Bengal due to your allergies to cats because they are Bengals. There is some data to suggest that Bengal cats are less prone to cause allergic responses compared to other breeds of cats.
The reason for allergic reactions to cats
You are not allergic to cat hair.
You are reacting to a substance known as Fel d 1, which is a protein that is really little and not very weighty at all. A cat’s saliva, urine, and dander all have the potential to contain traces of the aforementioned protein.
Even though cat hair does not directly cause allergic responses, it does play a key role in the distribution of cat saliva and dander throughout the surrounding region. These two allergens are responsible for the majority of cat allergies. When cats groom themselves, their hair comes out, taking the protein that causes allergies with it as it leaves the body. If you have allergies, you should avoid cats.
This protein is generated by EVERY cat; however, some people have found that they have a less severe allergic reaction to specific cat breeds, most notably Bengals. This discovery has been made possible by the discovery that ALL cats produce this protein. This may be due to the rarity of some breeds.
Why are Bengal cats called hypoallergenic?
The majority of people, upon first caressing a Bengal, realize very immediately that there is something different about the coats of these cats. Bengals are known for their short, silky coats. It is well knowledge that Bengals have long, luxuriant coats.
The coat of a Bengal tiger is somewhat similar to the pelt of a rabbit in that it is short and shaggy. Although all cats naturally shed hair, the quantity of hair that Bengals lose is often far less than that of other breeds of cats. This leads to a reduction in the number of allergens that are spread throughout the house as a consequence.
Bengals, compared to other breeds of cats, often spend a shorter amount of time maintaining their grooming. Cats clean themselves for a variety of reasons, including the fact that they want to be clean, the fact that they are quite sensitive to the fact that every hair is in its place, and the fact that they like to be coated in their scent. Other reasons why cats groom themselves include the following: However, in contrast to other types of cats, Bengals do not need to commit as much time to grooming since their hair is naturally so smooth and simple to care for. This is because Bengals are bred to live a longer life. To reduce the amount of allergen-causing hair in your house, you should groom your pet less often.
Although some online sources assert Bengals produce lower levels of Fel d 1 than other breeds of cats, we have not seen any credible study that reaches this result, and it is not something that we recommend assuming to be the case.
On the other hand, it is well knowledge that male cats, in general, produce more Fel d 1 than female cats do and that unfixed male cats create more of the hormone than fixed male cats do. In addition, it is generally known that unfixed male cats produce more of the hormone than fixed male cats do. If you suffer from allergies and are considering getting a cat as a pet, you should give some consideration to the feline’s gender before making your decision.
What to do if you are allergic to cats and want a Bengal
If you or a member of your family is allergic to cats, it is extremely important to discover how you or a member of your family will react to the cat before you decide to bring a Bengal into your home. If at all possible, you should do all in your power to save your Bengal from having to through the trauma of being adopted by another family.
You should spend as much time as you can becoming familiar with the Bengal breed before you decide to acquire one of these beautiful cats. Visit a friend who has a Bengal and observe how you interact with their cat to get insight into your behavior. Having a working relationship with a Bengal breeder is still another alternative. Visit them a few times and be sure to spend some quality time with both the adult cats and the little kittens. Before you put down a deposit on a new member of your family, you should first determine how you react when you are around the Bengal cats that are housed at that specific cattery.
Tips for people who are allergic to cats
If you are set on getting a Bengal cat and you are determined to make it work although you have asthma or another respiratory condition, there are ways to coexist with allergies. If you are dead set on getting a Bengal cat, there are also ways to make it work although you have asthma or another respiratory condition.
Because cats constantly produce saliva, urine, and dander, there is no way to “fix” the fact that cats produce these byproducts as cats always do those things. You should, however, be able to minimize the intensity of your allergic reaction if you make an effort to restrict the development of the allergenic protein in your surrounding environment. This may be accomplished by taking steps such as washing your hands often and keeping your home clean.
The following are some recommendations on the best way to go about achieving this:
1. Clean often
Always make it a habit to give the surfaces in your home a frequent clean-down using disinfectant wipes, and do your best to stick to this routine. We recommend utilizing any of Norwex’s products for this purpose; however, the microfibers in the dust mitt and the mop are especially excellent in trapping and retaining cat hair. In addition to this, you do not waste any chemicals by using them in an unnecessary manner (which are often allergens themselves).
If you can help it, avoid adding carpeting anywhere in your house at all costs. It is more likely for allergens to get embedded in porous and pliable materials. Hard surfaces are much easier to keep clean than softer ones like carpet or upholstery.
2. Feed it a Bengal Specific diet
In this way, cats are the same as any other animal. If you feed your Bengal food that is of good quality and that is appropriate for its species, you will be able to improve the quality of the skin that your Bengal has. This suggests that you will have fewer symptoms of dry, flaky skin, fewer dander, and fewer allergic reactions as a result of this.
Because the degree of your allergic reaction to your cat may be significantly influenced by your eating habits, fixing these concerns should be one of the top priorities on your list.
3. Use an Air filtration system
Because the Fel 1 d protein is so light, it can float in the air for a significant length of time. Consider purchasing an air purification system so that you can assist in filtering the air and removing the allergen that is causing your allergies. This may be something that you want to consider investing in.
4. Brush your Bengal often
The act of bathing a Bengal cat is stressful for the animal, and it also causes their skin to become dry and flaky, which leads to the creation of even more dander, which in turn makes the situation even worse. In addition, the decrease in allergens brought on by bathing only lasts for around 24 hours, making this option a less-than-ideal alternative.
5. Keep the litter box clean
You should ask a family member who does not have an allergy to clean the litter box at least twice a day to cut down on the amount of urine that is spread throughout the house. You might also consider positioning a small air purifier next to the litter box and making sure that it is constantly turned on.
6. Take Allergy Medicine
Take antihistamines for your allergies as a precaution if none of the other therapies work. You have the option of attempting allergy injections, antihistamines, and decongestants, each of which will be adjusted to your level of comfort with their usage. Other treatment options include:
Conclusion…
To what extent, then, can Bengal cats put humans at risk of developing allergic reactions? There is no such thing as an allergen-free cat, but some people claim that Bengals are hypoallergenic and create fewer allergy symptoms than other cats do. Although there is no such thing as an allergen-free cat, there is no such thing as an allergen-free cat either. Experimenting with oneself is the only way to know for certain what the outcome will be. Before selecting whether or not to buy one, you need first carry out the necessary study.
If you are adamant about providing a Bengal with a lifelong home, there are several things you can take to mitigate the intensity of your allergic reaction to a point where it is more manageable.
