Do you love cats, but suffer from allergies? If so, you may be wondering are Bengal cats are hypoallergenic?
With the popularity of Bengals rising, more and more people are looking to adopt these furry friends into their homes.
But before you run out to your nearest animal shelter or breeder to get a Bengal of your own, you should first learn about their susceptibility to allergies.
In this blog post, we will explore the truth about Bengal cats and their allergy-causing potential.
We will also provide some tips on how to reduce the risk of developing an allergy to Bengals.
Are Bengal Cats Hypoallergenic?
The truth is, no cat is truly 100% hypoallergenic. People assume that because Bengals have shorter fur than some other breeds, they will not get allergies, but this isn’t the case.
If you suffer from allergies, it’s not actually the cat hair itself that cause reactions. What’s responsible is a protein called Fel d 1 that is found in a cats saliva, urine, and dander.
When a cat sheds or grooms themselves, the Fel d 1 on the fur is also passed into the environment, and into your respiratory system causing allergic reactions.
Although Bengal cats are not fully hypoallergenic, the good news is that they are one of the few breeds that are easier on people who do suffer with allergies.
Shedding in a Bengal is very minimal in comparison to other breeds due to their short fur. This means that less allergies are spread around the home, reducing the risk of a reaction.
What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?
Hypoallergenic cats means that there is less chance of you getting an allergic reaction from that particular breed.
No breeds are completely 100% hypoallergenic because all cats produce dander in varying quantities.
Dander is tiny bits of skin that is shed by cats and many other animals which can cause allergies.
What Causes Cat Allergies?
When people have allergic reactions, it’s not actually the cat hair that’s the problem, it’s a tiny protein called Fel d 1.
This protein is found in dander as well as in a cats urine and saliva.
It’s then spread into the environment via the fur as it sheds and is contained in the fur from when a cat grooms and licks themselves.
The Fl d 1 protein is produced in every single cat, but in some breeds it is produced in a higher level than others.
The Bengal cat is one of the few cat breeds where there is less chance of you having an allergic reaction.
Why Are Bengal Cats Hypoallergenic?
There are a number of reasons why Bengal cats are hypoallergenic:
1. Minimal shedding
Bengals shed a lot less than other cat breeds. This means that there is less dander spread throughout the house because they do not lose that much fur.
2. Less self-grooming
This one kind of ties in to the one above. As Bengals have short soft fur, they groof a lot less than most cats which means the protein from their saliva does not spread around as much.
3. Less amount of Fel-D1 protein
The the quantity of protein in the saliva of a Bengal relatively less than other cats.
What To Do If You Want A Bengal And Have Cat Allergies
Bengal cats are absolutely beautiful creatures who make great pets, but what if you or a member of your family has cat allergies?
It’s not a good experience to re-home a Bengal so it’s always a good idea to see how you are going to react before purchasing one as a pet.
Although it’s hard and not ideal, you should expose yourself to Bengals first.
On of the best ways to do this is to find a Bengal breeder who you plan on buying from.
Explain your situations, arrange to make a few visits and spend time with both the kittens and adults. Monitor any reactions you may have. If you have no allergic reactions then everything should be fine.
Tips For Cat-Allergic Bengal Owners
If you do own a Bengal cat and you suffer from allergies, here are some tips and guidelines you can follow.
1. A Specific Healthy Diet
Just as a healthy nutritious diet and correct hydration is crucial to a humans health, the same applies to your Bengal cat.
Feeding your cat the correct food will improve the fur and skin which means less flaky skin and less chance of any dander spreading.
When it comes to helping allergies, diet is the last thing people usually think of.
If you think of your own health, a balanced diet and adequate hydration can do wonders for your skin.
The same thing applies with cats. Feeding your Bengal a species appropriate diet will improve skin quality which means less chance of dander.
2. Thorough Cleaning
Thoroughly wiping all of the surfaces in your home on a daily basis is something you should be doing consistently.
Microfiber cleaning cloths are usually the best because a cats fur will stick to the microfibers very well.
Also remember that if you have carpet in the house it will be worse for your allergies because allergens will settle into the soft material.
3. The Importance Of A Filtration System
The Fed 1 d protein can stay airborne for a very long time because it is so lightweight.
To combat this you should seriously consider an air purification system such as the LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home.
4. Limit Your Exposure To Your Bengal
This is a tough one because there is nothing more you will want to do than give your gorgeous Bengal a good cuddle.
Just be cautious with everything you do. Don’t allow your Bengal on the bed and always wash your hands after petting them.
5. Brush Your Bengal
Giving them a bath would be great as Bengals also love water, but this can actually make their skin become even more dry.
Bathing also only has an effect on reducing allergies for around 24 hours.
One of the best alternatives is to brush them on a regular basis. You could use a brush such as the Furminator which is great at removing loose fur.
6. Keep The Litter Box Clean
Limiting urine-to-air exposure is an important task to reduce any allergies. The way to do this is by keeping your cats litter box as clean as possible.
The litter box should be scooped at least twice per day, and ideally done by somebody who has no allergies.
Another great option is to invest in a self-cleaning litter box such as the PetSafe ScoopFree Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box.
We wrote an article called The Ultimate Guide On How To Keep A Cat Litter Box Clean for further tips on cleaning your cats litter box.
7. Taking Medication
So far we have looked at a number of different options for your Bengal cat. Also remember that you can take your medication to help manage your allergies.
Other Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds
As well as Bengals, here are some other hypoallergenic cat breeds:
1. Cornish Rex and Devon Rex
These are intelligent cats who are very playful and shed very little.
2. Russian Blue
Surprisingly, although having a thick coat, they actually shed very little and produce less Fel d 1 protein.
3. Siberian
Another surprise on this list of hypoallergenic cats because of the beautiful thick cot and long hair of the Siberian.
They are high maintenance cats bu they do produce very little Fel 1 d protein.
4. Sphynx
The Sphynx actually has soft down-like hair in certain locations on their body, although people think they are completely hairless.
Due to their very little fur, they are a hypoallergenic cat.
5. Oriental Shorthairs
Although having a short fine coat, Oriental Shorthairs need to be brushed regularly, but they do shed very little.
Are Bengal Cats Hypoallergenic Conclusion
Are Bengal cats hypoallergenic? Bengals are beautiful creatures and they make great family pets, but no cat is truly hypoallergenic.
Some breeds of cat such as the Bengal are better for people who suffer with allergies.
If you do have allergies then just be cautious and follow the guidelines in this post to help limit any allergies as much as possible.
Do you have allergies and own a Bengal cat? Let us know in the comments section below.
