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Cats owned: British Shorthair
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01-12-2011, 06:50 PM   #1

Bengal cats - better for people with allergies?


My best friend is always round at mine and she loves my cat Biscuit (who is a British Shorthair) despite the fact that she is allergic to cats. Her allergy isn't too bad, but after a while she does get quite wheezy.

She really wants to get a cat and has been asking my advice... I've heard that Bengal cats are better for people with allergies, but I dont know anyone who owns one. Does anyone here know if that's true?



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dandysmom's Avatar
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01-12-2011, 07:52 PM   #2

Re: Bengal cats - better for people with allergies?


I'm sorry to say that it's unfounded; here's a link that will explain it more fully. The only hypoallergenic cat is the Siberian Forest cat.

http://f1hybrids.com/bengal-cat-allergies/



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01-12-2011, 09:05 PM   #3

Re: Bengal cats - better for people with allergies?


Or a Sphinx?



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dandysmom's Avatar
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01-12-2011, 09:37 PM   #4

Re: Bengal cats - better for people with allergies?


No with a qualification, Angie:

Although Sphynx cats are sometimes thought to be hypoallergenic due to their lack of coat, this is not always the case for cat-specific allergies. Allergies to cats are triggered by a protein called Fel d1, not cat hair itself. Fel d1 is a tiny and sticky protein primarily found in cat saliva and sebaceous glands. Those with cat allergies may react worse to direct contact with Sphynx cats than other breeds. However, conflicting reports of some people successfully tolerating Sphynx cats also exist.[6] However, these positive reports may be cases of desensitizing, wherein the "hairless" cat gave the owner optimism to try and own a cat, eventually leading to the positive situation of their own adaptation.



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01-12-2011, 09:54 PM   #5

Re: Bengal cats - better for people with allergies?


Well I never Eileen! Although I did wonder about dander causing allergies. Personally, I would never feel quite comfortable with a nude cat!



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01-12-2011, 10:34 PM   #6

Re: Bengal cats - better for people with allergies?


I hate to say it, but they do look grotesque to me, poor little things...

Hey, mungojerry, didn't mean to hijack your thread!



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01-12-2011, 10:43 PM   #7

Re: Bengal cats - better for people with allergies?


I've just looked up Siberian forest cats - they are gorgeous! And there's a UK breeder with kittens!!!

http://www.siberianforestcats.co.uk/



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01-12-2011, 10:47 PM   #8

Re: Bengal cats - better for people with allergies?


OMG, they are stunning! That silver tabby!!!



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01-12-2011, 11:14 PM   #9

Re: Bengal cats - better for people with allergies?


Quote:
Originally Posted by dandysmom
I hate to say it, but they do look grotesque to me, poor little things...

Hey, mungojerry, didn't mean to hijack your thread!
I have to agree with you on this Eileen



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01-12-2011, 11:51 PM   #10

Re: Bengal cats - better for people with allergies?


Loratidine is very good at controlling allergies



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