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These breeds of cats are a welcome sight in any home, and for those looking for an active cat that has moments of sweetness and affection, a Bengal cat is worth considering. If you have allergy issues, you might wonder if this is a good fit.
The truth is that no cat is entirely hypoallergenic, though the Bengal cat is lower on the list as it causes the least amount of allergies, alongside Siberian and Sphynx cats.
This may be disappointing, but there are ways to manage this if you have milder symptoms and don’t mind taking more precautions than usual. Read on to find out how to manage this with your Bengal cat.
Bengal Cat: An Overview
These stunning cats are mostly recognized by their leopard spot fur with stripe patterns, and these cats can be very active as their energy means they can get rough with other cats and humans.
This means owners will likely want to be careful around ornaments and seating, which can get easily damaged or scratched up with these set loose in your home.
As they are very curious and playful, you will need to keep them occupied, but they do like to learn new tricks, and once you’ve rewarded them for this, they love to be showered in attention so that they can be a challenging cat for a novice owner.
How Can I Tell If I’m Allergic?
While these aren’t lap cats, you’ll want to give your Bengal cat some adoration from time to time, and one of the main misconceptions is that allergies are caused by the cat’s fur, but there are other triggers, such as their tears, urine, feces, saliva, and even sweat.
While fur can play some role in these symptoms, they don’t shed as much. When seasonal changes occur, this shedding may be more prominent than at other times of the year.
Even with this, people won’t be exposed to the proteins that cause these symptoms as much as with other cats. This is useful if you’ve ever owned a cat and found hairs stuck to your seating and other fabrics.
Mild symptoms to look for when exposed include sneezing, coughing, restless sleep, and some slight swelling under the eyes. More extreme symptoms include chest tightness, vomiting, severe skin rashes, hives, and difficulty breathing.
Managing Your Allergies
Part of making your decision you should think about how bad of a reaction you have around cats and whether this could affect your health that can, causing a lot of discomfort and, in severe cases, anaphylactic shock.
If your symptoms match the more severe reactions, you should avoid having cats, which can be very disappointing, but your well-being is the most important priority here.
If your symptoms are mild, it may be very possible to co-exist with your cat, as you can take antihistamines. Once you’ve established a proper routine and created an optimal environment, you can skip some doses of this medication.
Living With Your Bengal Cat
Even though it is possible to live relatively peacefully with your cat, you will have to be more vigilant in aspects of the cat’s hygiene, care, diet, and habits. This means you might have to add some modifications to your home to make this part easier.
You’ll want to avoid holding and cuddling your cat and wash your hands carefully after you’ve groomed or touched your cat. For their litter tray, as you want to limit exposure, you can either have someone else clean it or teach them to do their business outside.
You can also invest in air purifiers, as particles from these proteins that cause these symptoms have a habit of sticking around in the air. Avoid using fans, as this will move these particles in the air so they are circulated around the room more.
Minimize Shedding Through Diet
If you are observant about what your cat eats, this diet balance means their coats can stay hydrated and minimize the extent to which they shed their fur.
This is why you want to seek high-quality meat and fish, and you should avoid commercial cat food with filler, ones with common allergens, and of course, anything toxic to your cat, such as raisins, grapes, and raw meat.
Conclusion
Following some of these tips can reduce the chances of your symptoms flaring up and being a negative experience.
If you are on medication for your symptoms, it’s a good idea to discuss your options with your doctor so that you can make this process as fuss-free as possible, and it may be an ongoing process, but you can live with your cat in enjoyment.
