Bengal cats are scientifically qualified for people with cat allergies
To claim Bengal cats are great for people with cat allergies seems like an exaggeration. It’s not. It’s a claim that is backed up by facts and real-life results. I know. As a breeder, I’ve sold many Bengals over 15 years to buyers who were either allergic to cats or lived with someone allergic to cats. Almost 1/4 of households in the US have a cat. Imagine how many more would have a cat if they could own a cat in spite of their cat allergies? Bengal cats are great for people with cat allergies.
Is there a secret?
There is no secret to why Bengals place well in homes of allergy sufferers. Dander is the primary transmitter of allergens. Bengals do not shed and are naturally low in dander.
Keep Your Cat Allergies In Check
Just because a Bengal cat doesn’t shed and is low in dander doesn’t mean you can’t suffer an allergic reaction. Some people are simply hyper-allergic and any exposure is too much. The Fel D1 protein allergen is transmitted to a cat’s skin cells from their saliva. Fortunately a Bengal cats dander is produced in small amounts. Some theorize it’s small enough to provide a modicum of immunotherapy.
managing your cat allergy
However a small amount of dander can reach critical mass and the allergic reaction can be overwhelming. To give yourself the best chance of stopping dander from becoming too much for your immunity to overcome do the following.
- Change your bed sheets no less than weekly.
- Feed your Bengal cat wet food daily.
- Ventilate.
- Invest in a hepa filter vacuum
- Immunotherapy
Do this one thing for allergies if you own a bengal
Any cat’s coat will suffer if you keep them fed exclusively on dry food. Thousands if not millions of cat owners are ignorant of this. If you are only feeding your cat dry food, answer this question. “Is your bed, couch or floor covered in cat hair?” If so, you can change this for the better by simply feeding your cat wet food.
For you Bengal cat owners with cat allergies, you should feed your Bengal cat wet food no less than daily. I feed mine wet food in the morning and at dinner. They have fantastic coats and the house is free of cat hair.
the specific cause of cat allergies
Research indicates cat allergies are caused by the Fel D1 protein which is not prominently found in Bengal cats. In fact, the Fel D1 protein is in your cat’s saliva. When a cat licks its coat to clean itself, their saliva transmits Fel D1 onto their skin. This is where the Bengal cat’s low dander plays its part in keeping your Bengal cat from inciting an allergic reaction.
Fel d1 Protein
Until an effective antibody is found to do more than reduce production of the Fel D1 protein and symptoms caused by the Fel D1 protein, all anyone can do is mitigate their symptoms.
If you have cat allergies and choose to own a cat, Bengals are among the best cats to own if you want to reduce your chances of allergic reactions.
Bengal cat allergy faqs
Bengals make good pets for people with cat allergies because they do not shed, and are low in dander. Dander is the primary transmitter of allergens.
Bengal cats are low in dander, making them great candidates for people who want a cat but are allergic to cats. While Bengals don't shed, it's still a good idea to keep your cat well groomed.
Bengals are naturally low in dander, but if you do not feed your Bengal wet food, it's coat will suffer and dander will increase.
