Are Bengals hypoallergenic?

Sorry, no. There are some breeders who claim that Bengals “may” be “less likely” to trigger symptoms of cat allergies than other cats, but sadly this isn’t really true.

There is a misconception that it is a cat’s fur that people are allergic to, but in fact people with cat allergies are really allergic to proteins in the cat’s saliva, urine and secretions from a cat’s sebaceous glands known as Fel d1, and dander (dried flakes of skin). The fur itself is not the culprit, but it is a carrier of the allergens.

This may be behind the myth that Bengals are hypoallergenic; Bengals shed less hair than some other breeds because they have a single, short coat. They do still shed hair though, and while cat hair is a carrier of cat allergens, it is not the real culprit. Cat allergens are microscopic particles that when dry flake off and float freely throughout the air before they settle on everything in your home. Fel d1 also has a sticky quality, clinging to any surface it comes in contact with.

The severity of cat allergies can vary from person to person. But generally if someone is allergic to a cat they often have allergic reactions to other substances such as pollen, dust mites, perfume, makeup, mildews or molds etc. Further, allergies are cumulative; people have a tolerance level and when the total exposure to allergens goes above this threshold the allergy occurs. So it is important to not only minimize exposure to cat allergens, but also to other allergens that trigger an attack.

If you are set on a Bengal despite having allergies, there are some things you can do to help keep the allergens in your home to a minimum and help reduce allergic reactions:

1) Male cats generally produce more Fel d1 than females, so males are more likely to trigger reactions. Female Bengals still produce allergens however so keep that in mind when selecting your cat. If possible visit the breeder and spend some time around the cats so you can assess the severity of your reaction. Make sure to spend time around the adult cats, as kittens have less skin to shed and therefore diminished dander so don’t be lulled into a false sense of security if you are okay around the kittens only.

2) Wash your hands immediately after handling your cat, and try not to touch your face (especially your eyes or nose) until you have done so. Avoid hugging or kissing it, which may be obvious for adults but for children it may not be as easy.

3) Keep the cat out of the bedroom at all times. Keep the door closed and make it completely out-of bounds for kitty. Even if your cat stays out of your bedroom allergens can still make their way in, so consider using impermeable covers for the mattress and pillows.

4) Don’t handle the kitty litter if possible; it’s a great excuse to make this someone else’s job, or better yet toilet train your Bengal and get rid of litter forever! If you are living with litter make sure it is cleaned regularly to prevent build up of the proteins from the urine. Avoid clay litter that can generate dust and aggravate allergies, and use a clumping litter. If the allergy sufferer must do litter duty, they should wear a mask to cover their nose and mouth to avoid inhaling the allergens.

5) Clean regularly – The more often you can vacuum the better, daily if necessary. Invest in a vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter that is fine enough to catch allergens, as normal vacuums may blow the allergens into the air and actually make things worse. Vacuum not only the floor but the furniture too. Consider using cleaning products especially formulated to neutralize cat dander and other allergens. Dust with a damp cloth and mop the floors regularly. As cleaning can cause particles to circulate in the air, the allergy sufferer should wear a mask to cover their nose and mouth to avoid inhaling the allergens while cleaning.

6) Use washable throw rugs over your couches and wash them weekly.

7) Get rid of carpet in your home as it will harbor the dander cats produce. Opt for floorboards or tiles instead. The same with material curtains or blinds; opt for non-material window dressings.

8) Central air conditioning and heating recirculates the same air throughout the home along with the microscopic allergen particles, so it can help to use very fine wafer thin filtration material over the ducts of forced air systems, particularly at point of entry to your bedroom. Use fabric that is not too thick so as not to stop the airflow all together. Have your duct work professionally cleaned every three years.

9) Open several windows in your home to encourage natural circulation of air whenever possible. Beware if the allergy sufferer is also sensitive to pollen and if so avoid doing this during high-pollen periods.

10) Invest in an electrostatic or HEPA air cleaner, which picks up small airborne particles. Make sure to have one in the bedroom, but you may want to use them in other rooms in the house as well. Some good air-cleaners and other products for allergy sufferers can be found here: http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/

11) Bathe your Bengal. A weekly bath to wash away the allergens can help reduce them in your home, but the reduction will not last longer than a week so if you can’t stick to a weekly bathing schedule you’re wasting your time.

Make sure you use a shampoo formulated and pH balanced for cats. Human shampoos are the incorrect pH for a cat’s skin and hair and can result in skin irritation and flaking, which is not only uncomfortable for your cat but it can make the allergen situation even worse. You also need to ensure to rinse your Bengal thoroughly to remove all residue of the shampoo from their coat.

Bengals can have more of an affinity to water than other breeds, but this is not a guarantee (my girls are fascinated with running taps but don’t like to immerse themselves in water). But cats can learn to tolerate baths, particularly when they are accustomed to them as a kitten.

An alternative to bathing is to wipe your cat down with anti-allergen pet wipes or use a an anti-allergen product such as Allerpet/C once or twice a week http://www.demite.com/allerpet/cats-allerpetc/

12) Comb/Brush your Bengal once or twice a week between baths, as this can also help remove dander, saliva and secretions from their coat. It can also help to keep your Bengal’s skin and hair in good condition. Try to do this outside to prevent allergens entering the atmosphere of your home. If possible, a non-allergic family member should groom or clean the cat, but if this is not possible wear a protective mask when grooming. Wash your clothing immediately afterwards as it can collect allergens during the process.

13) In addition to bathing your Bengal, it is important to regularly wash their bedding to reduce the build up of dander, dried saliva and secretions.

14) Minimize your exposure to ALL allergens. Remove plans in your garden that produce allergy-causing pollens, try to eliminate damp areas in your home that can promote the growth of mold, wash your bedding regularly to reduce dust-mites. Remember, if you can keep the total exposure to allergens below a certain threshold your can avoid reactions.

15) Talk to your doctor about medication options. Antihistamine and decongestant medicines block the histamine reaction causing the allergic symptoms. In more severe cases, steroid inhalant sprays may be recommended. If possible consult an allergist / immunologist, which is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma and other allergic diseases.

Allergen immunotherapy may be another option. Also called allergy vaccine therapy, patients are injected with the offending allergens in gradual doses, until their body has built up immunity against them and is no longer affected for short or long-term periods. This can often lead to lasting relief of allergy symptoms even after treatment is stopped. For pet owners with mild cases of cat allergy this can be a great solution, although the treatment has not proved effective for severe cases. But be prepared for an intensive course of injections, initially once or twice a week for the first 6 months.

Choose a good Bengal breeder.

I recommend you choose a Bengal breeder who is registered with one of the governing bodies such as TICA (The International Cat Association) or TIBCS (The International Bengal Cat Society), and who abides by the Code of Ethics that governs the kittens they sell and how they treat their customers.

We obtained Azaria from Mainstreet Benglas, a small cattery in Escondido California. They supplied a written contract for her, and guaranteed her to be of sound health and free of any contagious disease upon the date of sale. It was expected I take her to my vet within the first 72 hours of bringing her home to ensure this, so immediately after picking her up I took her for her first check-up. She was also guaranteed for up to two years from the date of birth against any congenital defects.

Any reputable breeder should be supportive, honest and happy to give you advice long after their kittens have left their cattery. A good breeder is a responsible breeder, and that’s exactly what we found with Debbie and Rick from Mainstreet.

Little Azaria was in perfect health the day we brought her home, but she started to fall ill the following evening. Although she was playing and by all appearances she seemed fine, she started vomiting and had diarrhea (even through there was no change in her diet). I contacted Debbie who was extremely helpful and supportive, providing lots of valuable advice.

Kittens can dehydrate quickly, and this is what happened to Azaria. She lost her appetite, and although she was drinking water it wasn’t enough. Within a couple of days she had lost almost a pound (and she was only 2 pounds to begin with), so she was back at the vet’s with an IV drip to replenish her fluids and nutrients.

All the vet tests came up clear; she tested negative to diseases or parasites. We have no plants in the home (which can be poisonous to cats), and she had no access to any poisons. It seemed she had caught some kind of virus (perhaps even from her initial trip to the vet the day I picked her up). The stress of the transition to a new, strange environment could also have added to the situation. The vet decided to put her on a course of antibiotics just in case.

Debbie was really concerned, and really involved. She kept in contact with both us and the vet, and upon her release she asked to take Azaria back so she could personally look after her until she finished her meds to ensure she returned to full health. This was such a relief as I was distressed about leaving her home alone while we were at work when she wasn’t well.

We went to visit Azaria at Debbie’s home the next weekend, and she looked SO much better! All symptoms of her illness had gone and she had gained back all the weight, plus some! She was a happy, healthy bundle of energy zooming around Debbie’s home!

Seeing her playing with her little siblings and cousins, we decided we would get another little kitty companion for her (to ease the transition to her new home) and chose another beautiful little girl Bengal whom we have named Kahlia. Kahlia was due to have her 2nd round of immunizations that day, so Debbie wanted to keep her for a few days after that to ensure she had no adverse reactions. She suggested we leave Azaria in her care for another week so the two could be put together to bond, and to make sure both were in 100% health before they came home.

It was so comforting to have the support of such a caring, involved and personally invested breeder, and after this experience I HIGHLY recommend Mainstreet Bengals. Not only do they produce some of the best looking Bengals I have seen with their beautiful distinct rosettes and glittered coats, they genuinely care about their cats.

Each litter has their own separate living quarters away from other cats (in various bedrooms of their house), and we were invited to come and visit when ever we wanted while we were waiting for Azaria to grow old enough to bring home (we went there twice during this time, in addition to the visit we made during her recovery). Their kittens come with 2 courses of vaccinations, and they provided a kitten pack consisting of a samples of food, litter and toys.

Debbie also did her research about us too before she agreed to sell any cats to us. Not only did she have a number of questions, she even went as far as Googling who we were to learn as much about us as possible!

Like I said they REALLY care about their cats, and I would highly recommend Mainstreet Bengals to anyone looking for a truly reputable breeder! Our two baby girls are pet-quality kittens, however Mainstreet have produced many wonderful cats with International and regional show titles.