Top Cat: Hypoallergenic

CAT BREEDS THAT DON'T CAUSE ALLERGIES

 

I know, firsthand, what it feels like, to have an allergy to animal fur. As a child, I suffered from this disease, but we lived in a countryside and my parents were not able to completely protect me from allergen sources. All the cats and dogs could not just walk past our yard, because of my childlike thought, that they are hungry and are urgently in need of a meal and care. So there I was, taking care of stray cats and dogs one day, and then spending the next week in a hospital, where doctors were taking care of me.

Usually people with allergies have no desire to have a pet. But sometimes they live beside someone who can not live a day without a cat or a dog. What to do? Which breed of cats doesn't cause allergies?

Hypoallergenic cats - cats that "produce" fewer allergens. But this does not mean that they are absolutely safe and will not cause allergies.

The main allergen - a protein, contained in the cats saliva. A cat licks the fur, its saliva along with an allergen gets on the fur, and when it is dry, the allergen finds its way into the air. Inhaling such air is causing an allergic reaction.

Note:

♦ There is less allergen in a saliva of the female cats.

♦ Castrated cat produces less allergens.

♦ Cats with a light color of the coat are less allergenic than the cats with dark fur.

♦ Kittens barely produce any allergen, but they will eventually grow up.

List of least allergenic cat breeds:

Balinese. Despite that the cat belongs to the long-haired breed, it doesn't mean that its fur will be more allergenic. As mentioned before, proteins in the saliva of a cat are the cause of allergies, and Balinese cats produce significantly less allergen than other breeds.

Oriental Shorthair. Representatives of this breed have two big advantages: first of all - they have short hair, second - they have very small quantities of allergen in their saliva.

Javanese. This cat breed, as well as the cats of the Baltic breed, have a coat of medium length, but they have no undercoat, which means that it "gathers" less allergens.

Devon Rex. Females cats of this breed have rather thin and short fur, it is easy to care for, allowing you to minimize allergic reactions to the fur.

Cornish Rex. Similar fur to that of Devon Rex, but is much more difficult to care for - you have to bathe the cat very often in order to clean the fur from allergen.

Sphynx. This hairless cat could rightfully take first place in the list of hypoallergenic cats. But taking care of them is a difficult and tedious process. Sphynx cats do not clean themselves (because they can do a lot of harm to their skin by licking it too vigorously), which means that this responsibility lies completely on the owners shoulders.

Siamese. A breed with a long fluffy hair, but the amount of allergenic enzymes that they produce is really low. It is worth mentioning that 75% of people, who are allergic to animal fur, don't have allergic reaction to Siamese cats.

IMPORTANT: If you are allergic to animal fur, don't forget to mention this fact, when purchasing a cat from the breeder. You could make a deal - a cat lives with you for a short period of time, and if it causes an allergic reaction - return it to the breeder. Yes, the cat might get used to you (some breeds are monogamous when it comes to owners), and it might be stressful for it, but your health is more important.