Having cat allergies and still wanting to be a cat owner can be challenging, but it is possible to enjoy your cat without having constant sneezing attacks. Bengal cats are a hybrid breed that is often touted as hypoallergenic, due to their beautiful patterned coats, lean body shapes and large eyes (often blue or green). This is not entirely true, however. Cats can cause allergies in several ways, including the dander that they shed, their saliva and their urine.
In order to be considered hypoallergenic, a cat would need to produce very low levels of the protein that causes allergic reactions. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat, although some breeds do produce less of the allergen Fel D 1 than others.
Bengal cats, being descendants of leopard cats and domestic cats, can be expected to produce a relatively high amount of the allergen Fel D 1. However, because they are so different from other domestic cats in their genetic makeup, their production may be lower than that of many other cat breeds.
Additionally, because they do not need to groom themselves as much as other domestic cats because of their shorter, sleek coats, they also shed a lot less, which means that they don’t spread as much dander around the house. Some people have reported that they have milder allergic reactions to Bengals than other domestic cats, which is likely because of all of the above.
Allergies to a cat are caused by proteins in the cat’s saliva and dander that can irritate and clog pores, causing itchy and watery eyes. While the actual cause of a cat allergy is unknown, it is believed that certain genes can lead to an immune response against these proteins.
The good news is that there are many things that you can do to limit your reaction to a cat, even if you have allergies. For example, you can keep your cat in a well-ventilated area and remove carpeting and upholstered furniture or cover them with impermeable coverings to limit the amount of hair and dander that is brought into your home. You can also sanitize surfaces frequently to reduce the level of allergen in your environment. In addition, you can take allergy medication daily to help control your symptoms.
If you have severe allergies to cats, a Bengal cat is probably not the right pet for you. However, if you have moderate to mild allergies, a Bengal may be a good choice for you, especially if you use the above measures and feed your cat a healthy, high quality diet. Also, you can minimize your allergy symptoms by ensuring that you are scooping the litter box at least twice a day and using an air purifier in your home to minimize the amount of urine-to-air exposure. Good luck!
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