It's not easy to be allergic and pet lover at the same time. You can recall many stories when the owners had to give their pets to strangers due to allergy attacks in one of the pets.
If you really want to get an allergic cat, at least you should very carefully choose the breed and follow certain rules both when purchasing a kitten and in the future when keeping it, in order to avoid unnecessary drama and partings.
What causes cat allergies?
First of all, you need to understand what a "cat allergy" is. Most often, allergy sufferers are advised to have bald cats. However, firstly, this solution is not for everyone, because many people love these animals precisely for their fluffiness, and in general, not everyone can appreciate the specific beauty of the sphinxes. And even those who in general outwardly like the sphinxes, often emotionally perceive them very differently than their furry relatives. And secondly, in fact, oddly enough, the absence of hair is not at all a guarantee of the hypoallergenicity of the cat.
Allergies can be caused by many different factors. However, as far as cats are concerned, in the vast majority of cases, it is not the fur itself that is allergic to humans!
The culprit of the allergy is the special protein Fel d1, which is found in animal saliva. Since cats are constantly grooming, this substance also gets on their fur (or on the skin in the case of a bald cat).
Cats are known to produce less hormone than cats, so allergy sufferers are better off choosing a female kitten. The animal, regardless of gender, should be spayed (this will also reduce the amount of allergen).
Kittens secrete very little protein compared to adult cats. So don't be fooled if your furry baby doesn't trigger any reactions in you - things can change with age.
What breeds are preferred?
Unfortunately, not a single cat that cannot cause allergies at all exists in nature. But by choosing the right breed, you can slightly reduce the risk.
First of all, the breeds with a reduced risk include the Siberian, Balinese, Oriental Shorthair and Javanese cats. Animals of these breeds emit slightly less allergen and are considered non-allergenic.
Specialists and amateurs call Siberian and Neva Masquerade cats especially hypoallergenic.
However, it should be borne in mind that the amount of protein secreted, even within the same breed, can vary greatly. It is imperative that before taking a kitten into the house, spend a couple of hours with his parents at the breeder's house and monitor the reaction of your body.
In addition to these breeds, allergy sufferers are recommended Cornish Rexes, Devon Rexes, which have little wool and which shed little, as well as Sphynxes, which have no wool at all. Keep in mind, however, that hairless cats also produce protein in their sweat. Therefore, it will need to be bathed frequently.
