For a long time, cats live next to humans. Today, without exaggeration, these are one of the most popular and beloved pets in the world. Unfortunately, not everyone can fulfill his dream and make a fluffy or short-haired graceful and affectionate friend in his house.
More than half of the inhabitants of our planet suffer from various types of allergies. For this reason, they hesitate to get animals in the house. Many simply don’t know which cat breeds are suitable for allergy sufferers. Unfortunately, cats are not yet known that do not cause allergic reactions at all. But there are hypoallergenic breeds. Keeping such pets clean and following simple preventive measures can minimize potential negative reactions.
Why are cats allergic? Can the symptoms of this insidious disease be minimized? How to live an allergy with a cat? Which breeds are the safest? We will try to answer these questions in this article.
Causes of Allergic Reactions in Cats
There is a misconception that allergies are caused by animal hair. In fact, the provocateur of the reaction is the Fel D1 protein, which accumulates in the layers of the skin of the animal, in saliva, urine, sweat and sebaceous glands. People with intolerance to this protein experience health problems when exposed to animals.
Allergies to cats can be different in nature and intensity. It depends on the characteristics of the human body. Allergens do not cause serious problems in some people. Communication with a cat for allergy sufferers and asthmatics can result in serious consequences. Even a small number of allergens caught in the airways cause swelling of the larynx, wheezing when you exhale, asthma attacks, bronchospasm, hives and itching, conjunctivitis, sneezing, tearing, nasal congestion and runny nose.
How to choose a cat breed for allergy sufferers or asthmatics?
People suffering from these serious diseases should take a closer look at the Javanese breed, which does not have an undercoat. Cornish Rex with soft curly hair, but absolutely harmless, will not make you tear, sneeze and runny nose. Further in the article we will list cat breeds suitable for allergy sufferers with photos and descriptions. But first it should be noted that no one can say for sure whether an allergic reaction to a cat will manifest itself.
It depends on a number of factors, which include:
- coat color (light coat causes allergies less frequently);
- the age of the animal;
- breed;
- floor.
There are animals bred by selection, in the body of which the content of harmful proteins is minimized or they are completely absent. Such cats are very rare, and their cost is high. An example of this is the artificial breed of an allergy.
How to choose a pet?
It happens that for some people some breeds are hypoallergenic, while in others they cause itching and nasal congestion. In this regard, allergists recommend getting to know a future pet before buying a kitten, after spending several days with it under one roof. In parallel, a blood test of the future owner and samples of the coat and saliva of the kitten should be taken. This will allow you to find out how the human immune system responds to samples of the selected pet.
Of course, acquiring an animal in the bird market, such a “test drive” is impossible to carry out - this is typical for well-known and large nurseries where expensive animals are bred. There are breeds of cats that can cause allergies only with very serious problems with the host's immunity. We will introduce you to them further.
Shorthair oriental
An elegant and slender animal with a short coat that practically does not fade. Cats have a very peculiar appearance, which many find not very attractive. The birthplace of these unusual creatures is Thailand, where cats have been considered sacred for centuries.
Orientals were forbidden for a long time to be exported outside the country, therefore Europeans learned about them only at the end of the XIX century. Interestingly, the first attempts by the orientals to win the hearts of cat lovers in Europe ended in complete failure, as experts decided that this was a variety of Siamese breed.
Representatives of this breed are very active - they will not sleep for hours, like most of their brothers. They play with children with pleasure, but they never use their claws and teeth. Orientals are friendly, but too touchy. This trait came to animals from Siamese ancestors. They perfectly feel the mood and pain of the owner, and therefore always fall on his sore spot.
Javanese cat
According to experts, this is one of the most suitable cats for allergy sufferers and asthmatics, with a fine coat. Animals do not have an undercoat; therefore, a large amount of hair does not fall out during molting, and those that inevitably remain on upholstered furniture and carpets do not cause allergic reactions in humans.
The Javanese cat has high intelligence: it is easy to learn, it quickly gets used to scratching posts and the tray.
Devon rex
A close look, huge ears and curly short hair - this is how you can describe the following representatives of cats for allergy sufferers. The breed was bred in England.
In the body of these animals, a small amount of harmful protein is produced. This is a powerful argument for anyone interested in which cats are suitable for allergy sufferers. The hair of these cats does not fall out during molting. These funny curly creatures are almost always next to your beloved master. Owners of Devon Rex often compare their pets with dogs, as they are also faithful, loyal and easy to train.
Siberian cat
Perhaps someone will be surprised to learn that these beauties with a luxurious fur coat are also hypoallergenic. Scientists still have not been able to identify the reason why the body of these animals with long hair produces a small amount of an allergen protein (Fel D1). Be that as it may, these Siberian beauties do not cause allergic reactions.
Cats of this breed do not like to show emotions - they categorically do not accept stroking and other owner's caresses. However, they will never scratch the little master, even if the child tortures them with his games. The predatory grace and wild beauty of these amazing animals are highly valued not only in our country, but also far beyond its borders.
Lika (werewolf cat)
If you are looking for a cat for allergies, pay attention to these animals. The breed is still very young. Her story began in 2010. Breeder Patti Thomas found unusual kittens in the litter of the short-haired cat. They looked painful and somehow shabby. Wanting to find out the reason for this, Patty did a DNA test. The result of the analysis showed that this mutation does not belong to any of the known breeds. Due to genetic abnormalities, the hair follicles of cats have lost certain components, so lycoy lacks an undercoat, and during molting they remain completely naked.
This is one of the most mysterious breeds of cats, causing their appearance of mixed feelings in humans. Animals with shreds of hair on a naked body and with demonic eyes appeared during the crossbreeding of an American shorthair cat with a sphinx. The appearance of lycoys can be called charming only with a big stretch. Animals compensate for this shortcoming with a soft and kind character, an amazing attachment to a person. In addition, they are very affectionate and playful.
Balinese cat
Novice owners can easily confuse this cat for allergy sufferers with Siamese. Indeed, these are related breeds, but balineses are hypoallergenic animals, since neither their hair nor the amount of harmful protein secreted excites human histamine centers, therefore, allergic reactions do not occur.
Animals with a sophisticated appearance, slanting blue eyes and fine silky hair are the result of the work of American breeders who crossed representatives of long-haired and short-haired representatives of the Siamese breed.
Ashera
Gorgeous graceful cat with a leopard color. The coat of this beauty is short and practically does not fall out. The breed was bred by breeding. For several generations, breeders crossed only those individuals that secreted the least amount of allergen protein.
Sphinxes
This is a separate category of hypoallergenic cats. It includes the Canadian Sphynx, which does not have hair, and its saliva does not contain allergen proteins. Another representative of the breed is the Don Sphynx. There are rare small hairs on his body, but they do not provoke allergic reactions.
If you ask the felinologist: “Which cat to get an allergy?” “He will certainly recommend the Canadian Sphinx.” These are very friendly representatives of the breed. They respond quite adequately to other pets living with them in the same house. Canadians and dogs that they meet on the street while walking are not afraid.
Don sphinxes are great lovers to soak up the hands of the owner. They love it when they are stroked, and in a fit of feelings they can even lick the adored master in the face.
Allerka
This is not only beautiful, but also quite expensive animal (about 6 thousand dollars). The breed was developed specifically for people with allergies and asthma in the research corporation Allerca. This is the only scientifically proven hypoallergenic cat. Due to the long selection in these animals, the number of allergy-causing enzymes is reduced.
Hypoallergenic Cat Care
Even the “safest” cats sometimes cause allergies if they are poorly cared for. It is necessary to adhere to the following recommendations of allergists:
- A significant amount of allergens is found in cat urine, so you should regularly wash the tray and use a filler that absorbs liquid.
- Cats with hair (especially the undercoat) should be combed daily, and hairs adhering to the surfaces of upholstered furniture should be collected with a rubber glove.
- A cat should be bathed often (at least once a week) with anti-allergenic shampoo.
- Not only the pet itself should be kept clean, but also its dishes, toys, the rug on which he sleeps - in other words, everything the animal comes into contact with and on which it can leave saliva, wool or sweat.
Observing these simple rules, an allergic person will be able to coexist perfectly with a cat, receiving great pleasure from communicating with it.