Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds

payaza2000

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Can someone describe Hypoallergenic Cat breeds. I have a cat but am considering getting another one. Would normally go to the pound to adopt, but my roommate has mild cat allergies. He occasionally will get itchy eyes, and the runny nose. I have heard that he's not allergic to the fur but a chemical that's produced when the Cat cleans itself. Reasons why people still have allergies to the bald cats. Can someone mention few breeds that are Hypoallergenic and explain what makes them that way. Thanks.
 

smartyfoj

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Maybe someone else will be able to shed a little more light on the subject of dealing with cat allergies. But it is my understanding there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat breed. I also have heard it just depends on the person some cats could make the person more allergic but another cat  the person may not not have as bad  a reaction to. Generally it's just luck. I have a friend who was allergic  to basically every animal but her husband brought home a dog and she was fine with it,  the dog wasn't a special breed it was just luck.  
 

denice

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There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic breed, especially since he is allergic to the enzyme in the saliva.  People who are allergic tend to be more allergic to one cat then another but it doesn't have anything to do with the breed.  It's just an individual thing to the cat, no way of knowing if a kitty will cause fewer problems until they are in the home.

I have seen people with a mild allergy post the things they do to control the issue.  One thing that seems to really help is wiping the kitty down with a damp cloth every few days, or however often it is needed.  Keeping kitties out of the bedroom helps as does very frequent use of the vacuum.  Hepa filters would also help.
 

StefanZ

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There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic breed, especially since he is allergic to the enzyme in the saliva.  People who are allergic tend to be more allergic to one cat then another but it doesn't have anything to do with the breed.  It's just an individual thing to the cat, no way of knowing if a kitty will cause fewer problems until they are in the home.

I have seen people with a mild allergy post the things they do to control the issue.  One thing that seems to really help is wiping the kitty down with a damp cloth every few days, or however often it is needed.  Keeping kitties out of the bedroom helps as does very frequent use of the vacuum.  Hepa filters would also help.
Good post.  Very effective is to let the cat swim once a tenday, or bathe him in just lukewarm water. - Bathing with shampoo so often may dry out his skin.

This wiping with damp cloth works too, but it is the "poor man solution" for swimming / bathing.

So, dont search for an hypoallergenic cat.  Better to search for a cat who is OK with water. Or even - loves water...

Im almost sure the pond will accept you try out a cat.   If your roomie manages the cat OK, swell.

If not - you try with some other...

If they arent happy with this agreement - try ask for a black cat.   They are more difficult to find homes for, so the pond will probably swallow their pride and let you try out....
 

catpack

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It may just be my opinion; but, I wouldn't think you would want to bathe or get the cat fully wet on a daily basis. Wouldn't this lead to the cat grooming itself, leading to more saliva on the fur, thus leading to more dander? It sounds counterproductive to me.

I think you need to have a discussion with your roommate about wanting to get another cat. I definitely think restricting the cats to certain areas, vacuuming daily and getting some air purifiers will be the best plan to cut down on any allergic reactions (also making sure roommates washed their hands after touching the cat(s)).)
 

StefanZ

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It may just be my opinion; but, I wouldn't think you would want to bathe or get the cat fully wet on a daily basis.
I wrote once a tenday, ie 10 days, longer than a week, but shorter than two weeks.   :)

Otherwise I agree with you. Every day is too much.  This "poor man solution" with wiping with damp cloth may be used instead, if you want to clean off more often.
 

balibabies

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I breed one of those "hypoallergenic" breeds called Balinese. A long haired Siamese that supposedly produces less of the protein in their saliva making them better for those with allergies to cats. I have placed some kittens with families who have allergies that are mild. 75% of these kittens have been returned to me with heart broken families who have fallen in love with their kitten but find that within 48 hours, can't handle the symptoms. These are people who have spent time(several hours) aT my home, seeing if they have a reaction to the cat and did fine but then have a delayed reaction. There are No such thing as hypoallergenic cats and it is so sad to have to return the cat and the cat then goes to yet another family.
 

colleen haynes

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Hello, the Siberian Forest cat has lower Feld1 levels than other cats. This protein is found in their saliva, and it is usually the one that causes the problem for most allergy sufferers. Both me and my husband are allergic to cats, and guess what? We have 4 Siberian cats! We have to vacuum weekly and when I get a head cold, I can start sneezing again. Otherwise, no problems. I heard about these from another allergy sufferer and now I breed them. There have been many testimonies!! 
 

andrya

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This is an interesting thread. l own a Cornish Rex, and l still see some breeders advertising them as being hypo-allergenic, unfortunately.

@Colleen Haynes   Welcome to TCS 
  Your avatar kitty is gorgeous. Why don't you do a fur-family introductory post in the "New Cats on the Block" forum?
 

balibabies

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Colleen Haynes, how long have you been a breeder and in that time how many kittens have been returned to you?  How many percentage of your inquiries are from people with allergies?  
 

colleen haynes

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Hello. I had my first litter last year with a total of 4 litters up to present. None have been returned. Most inquires were from mild allergy sufferers and I have not had any complaints. I keep in contact with other Siberian breeders, two of them have been breeding them for over 10 years. They have similar stories. 
 

StefanZ

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Also, I have never bathed any of my cats.
Im never bathing my russian blue residents either.  Stupid, it is wise they at least know how it is, not to be shocked the day a bath may become necessary...

OK, my oldest resident loved to sleep on his Dads trousers.  Both as youngster and as fully fertile stud.

Nobody ever complained, although I had allergics around. For example my bridge partner was allergic for dogs and cats.  I remember how scared he was when once there was a dog in the playing hall. 

-  I didnt knew better, and when the risk dawned on me, it was too late - I noticed nobody had any problems with me nor my trousers...So I proceeded.

So I do believe RB has a lower halt of allergenes.  But.  One of the adult daughters of his breeders is allergic to their russians, while she managed the birmas they too had...

So, there may be breeds who are safer than others, but in the last end, its individual, both the human and the cat...  So is my belief.
 

feralvr

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Hello, the Siberian Forest cat has lower Feld1 levels than other cats. This protein is found in their saliva, and it is usually the one that causes the problem for most allergy sufferers. Both me and my husband are allergic to cats, and guess what? We have 4 Siberian cats! We have to vacuum weekly and when I get a head cold, I can start sneezing again. Otherwise, no problems. I heard about these from another allergy sufferer and now I breed them. There have been many testimonies!! 
I love the Siberian Forest cat's and know of them to be the most least allergenic type of cat breed to own. People don't realize that it is the saliva on the fur that causes the dander and the allergic reaction. My SIL, who can't even come into my house even though I keep it meticulous and vacuumed OR anyone's house with cats, is deathly allergic to cat dander. This has been extremely sad and hard on her because she truly loves cats. I told her about the Siberian a couple of years back and she went and found a breeder. Took a visit to the cattery, fell in love (how could you not), and bought a kitten. She hasn't looked back AND has absolutely no problems with allergies. Pretty incredible, I think. She does rinse the cat in distilled water every two weeks but I don't think that is necessary - but still she doesn't want to take any chances. Not a bath - just a rinse.


This is an interesting thread. l own a Cornish Rex, and l still see some breeders advertising them as being hypo-allergenic, unfortunately.
I have ALSO seen/heard breeder's claiming that this breed is hypo-allergenic. This seems a wive's tale and untrue. Honestly, Denice has it right, there is no hypo-allergenic breed of cat and the closest to make that claim would be the Siberian, I think. :)
 
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balibabies

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It is good to hear the reports of the Siberians. I don't even like working with people with allergies due to the kittens being returned. My kittens are CFA and CFF registered Balinese but I do not claim them to be hypoallergenic. I would love to hear the opinion of another Balinese breeder.
 

feralvr

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I don't even like working with people with allergies due to the kittens being returned. My kittens are CFA and CFF registered Balinese but I do not claim them to be hypoallergenic. I would love to hear the opinion of another Balinese breeder.
Yes - I can only imagine selling a kitten to someone who believes they will not become symptomatic only to find out that they are and then having to return the then "older" kitten. As a breeder, I am sure you must deal with this reality. :(

Hoping a few Balinese people will chime in here too!! Interesting topic.
 

lunariris

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There is no actual 'hypoallergenic' cat breed. However, since allergies are from the cat's saliva, and Siberians, although long-haired, apparently are said to shed less than most longhairs and are said to have less of the protein in their saliva are said to be better for people with allergies to cats. When the cat licks itself, it gets saliva with the proteins on its fur, which end up on the furniture, on cloths, carpetting, etcetera when they shed. The dander released that floats around in the air is what gets breathed in and when you are allergic, obviously that is a bad thing and can inflame your lung and air pathways and make it hard, or sometimes, impossible to breathe. Allergies can kill people if they are severe enough or ignored, or a subsequent sinus infection or other infection goes untreated for long enough with the allergens still causing a constant problem while the person awaits treatment.

That said, there are things that can help.

 Some things that help with cat allergies are to use an allergy medicine with a decongestant (very important). I've tried a half a dozen kinds and the only one that works for me is Zyrtec-D. If you have tile vs. carpetting that's good, anything that holds dander or dust will make allergies worse (that's why stuffed animals and rugs make allergies worse and they should be washed often and kept off beds or to a minimum).  If you can keep the kitty out of the bedroom if possible that would majorly help your allergies (people with cat allergies will benefit greatly by having their bedroom a cat-free zone.). I keep a HoneyWell air ionizer in my room that's quiet and has cleanable blades so I don't have to keep buying filters, and that works very well. I don't let the cats in my room much, but sometimes I spoil them and in that case it helps a lot to put a comforter over your bed so they aren't lying on all your bedding and then just take it off when they're not in the room and wash the comforter so you don't go to sleep and put your face on cat dander lol. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter is great. Washing hands frequently, and face if you tend to snuggle the cats,  is a good idea. We don't bathe our cats, except the flea bath most of them got when we got them as kittens just to make sure they are flea-free and know what a bath is. The bath wipes may be a good idea though. They have allergy shots for cats and dogs but I'm leery because you have to commit to go in every week for months for the shots and for a while it will make your allergies worse, and then, it will start to get better-my allergist said. The allergist also said that cat allergies are one of very few that can get better by desensitizing yourself, basically, owning or being around cats a little at a time. However, I won't risk the shots because I have moderate-severe allergies to cats and dogs (and also have seasonal allergies, dust, you name it-ugh, lol) and have a total of 12 cats (all regular domestic shorthairs and a longhair) between my brother and I, and he's just as allergic as I am. Our cousin who lives with us is also allergic.  We also are looking into getting some spider plants (they are listed as non-toxic to pets) since they are one of several plants noted for how well they clean the air, which sounds neat. If you can build an outdoor enclosure for the cat to play in safely, or even a screened or enclosed porch (preferably only when supervised) that also may help if all the allergens aren't in the house, although if you have outdoor allergies too it may not be much help. We've had our kitties for 8-12 years and have had cats for over 14 years and I wouldn't part with them for the world so I won't risk the shots. 

If your roommate is already having an issue with one cat though, I don't know that now is a good time to get another. Around this time of year is bad for allergy season as well-with outdoor allergies on top of it with pollen being released like crazy, and even with the above precautions I still tend to get a sinus infection I have to get treated at least once a year. I'm not trying to dissuade you from having another pet, but maybe right now isn't the time. You can control and limit allergy reactions and with little exposure can start to treat it but over-doing it can be bad for your friend's health, and, I'd hate to see you give a cat a home and a place in your heart just to have to give it up later and have the cat lose its new home, or, cause tension or medical problems with your roommate. 
 

balibabies

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I had one family who did all the things suggested, even went as far as keeping the kitten in their finished basement (not fair to the kitten at all). This is another family who spent three hours at my house without problems. They still ended up giving him back to me 3 weeks later. All the kids were heart broken. What I am trying to say is even mild allergies can become unmanageable over time and sometimes doing all the little extras to make it work, still doesnt work. As a breeder, it is a nightmare as that kitten now has to be placed in isolation and stool tested felv/fiv tested and ringworm tested because it has been out of my home for three weeks. It is a huge gamble and one that I have seen lost too many times. In 2015 a cat vaccine is set to be approved through a company called Circassia, led by a doctor named Mark Larche'. This is not just an allergy shot but an actual vaccination providing immunity to the cat protein.
 

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Is there anyone out there with cat allergies that has done well with a Russian Blue? I heard hey have lower allergen levels. Still trying to confirm that.
Please let me know your experience.

Thanks!
 

mary21

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Is there anyone out there with cat allergies that has done well with a Russian Blue? I heard hey have lower allergen levels. Still trying to confirm that.
Please let me know your experience.

Thanks!
my mom has really bad cat allergies but my Russian Blue doesn't bother her allergies at all
 
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