For a long time, cats live next to humans. Today it is without exaggeration one of the most popular and beloved pets in the world. Unfortunately, not everyone can fulfill their dream and have a fluffy or short-haired, graceful and affectionate friend in their home.
More than half of the inhabitants of our planet suffer from various types of allergies. For this reason, they are hesitant to have animals in the house. Many simply do not know which cat breeds are suitable for allergy sufferers. Unfortunately, such cats are not yet known that do not cause allergic reactions at all. But there are hypoallergenic breeds. By keeping these pets clean and following simple preventive measures, the potential for negative reactions can be minimized.
Why do cat allergies occur?Is it possible to minimize the symptoms of this insidious disease? How to live with an allergy sufferer with a cat? What breeds are the safest? We will try to answer these questions in this article.
Causes of allergic reactions to cats
There is a misconception that animal hair causes allergies. In fact, the provocateur of the reaction is the Fel D1 protein, which accumulates in the layers of the animal's skin, in saliva, urine, sweat and sebaceous glands. People with intolerance to this protein experience he alth problems when in contact with animals.
Allergies to cats can vary in nature and intensity. It depends on the characteristics of the human body. For some people, allergens do not cause serious problems. Communication with a cat for allergy sufferers and asthmatics can result in serious consequences. Even a small amount of allergens that enter the respiratory tract causes swelling of the larynx, wheezing when exhaling, asthma attacks, spasms in the bronchi, hives and itching, conjunctivitis, sneezing, tearing, nasal congestion and runny nose.
How to choose a cat breed for an allergic or asthmatic?
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 completely harmless, will not make you experience tearing, sneezing and a runny nose. Further in the article, we will list cat breeds suitable for allergy sufferers with a photo and description. But first it should be noted that no one can say for sure whether an allergic reaction will manifest itself to a particular cat.
Depends ona number of factors, including:
- wool color (light wool is less likely to cause allergies);
- age of animal;
- breed;
- pol.
There are selectively bred animals in whose body 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 would be the artificial Allerka breed.
How to choose a pet?
It happens that for some people some breeds are hypoallergenic, while for others they cause itching and nasal congestion. In this regard, allergists recommend that before buying a kitten, get to know the future pet, having previously spent several days with him under the same roof. In parallel, you should take a blood test of the future owner and samples of the kitten's fur and saliva. This will allow you to find out how the human immune system reacts to samples of the selected pet.
Of course, when purchasing an animal on the poultry market, it is impossible to conduct such a “test drive” - 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 immune system of the owner. We will introduce you to them further.
Shorthair Oriental
A graceful and slender animal with short hair that practically does not shed. Cats have a very peculiar appearance, which many find not very attractive. Theseunusual creatures is Thailand, where cats have been considered sacred for many centuries.
Orientals for a long time it was forbidden to export outside the country, so the Europeans learned about them only at the end of the XIX century. Interestingly, the first attempts of Orientals to win the hearts of cat lovers in Europe ended in complete failure, as experts decided that this was a type of Siamese breed.
Representatives of this breed are very active - they will not sleep for hours, like most of their counterparts. They play with children with pleasure, but never use their claws and teeth. Orientals are friendly, but too touchy. This trait was inherited by 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, so 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 a high intelligence: it is easy to train, quickly gets used to scratching posts and a tray.
Devon Rex
Attentive look, huge ears and curly short hair - this is how you can describe the following representatives of cats for allergy sufferers. Breed bred in England.
In the body of these animals, a small amount ofharmful protein. This is a strong argument for anyone who is interested in which cats are suitable for allergy sufferers. The coat of these cats does not fall out during molting. These funny curly creatures are almost constantly next to their beloved owner. Devon Rex owners often compare their pets to dogs as they are just as loyal, 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 have not yet been able to identify the reason why the body of these animals with long hair produces a small amount of the 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 strokes and other caresses. However, they will never scratch the little owner, even if the child tortures them with his games. The predatory grace and wild beauty of these stunning animals are highly valued not only in our country, but also far beyond its borders.
Likoi (werecat)
If you are looking for a cat for allergy sufferers, pay attention to these animals. The breed is still very young. Her story began in 2010. Breeder Patti Thomas discovered unusual kittens in a litter of shorthair cats. They looked sickly and somehow shabby. Wanting to find out the reason for this, Patti did a DNA test. The result of the analysis showed that this mutation does not belong to anyone of the famous breeds. Due to a genetic disorder, the hair follicles of cats have lost certain components, so the lykoy lacks an undercoat and remains completely naked during shedding.
This is one of the most mysterious breeds of cats, causing ambiguous impressions in people with their appearance. Animals with tufts of wool on a naked body and with demonic eyes appeared during the crossing of an American Shorthair cat with a Sphynx. The appearance of the faces can be called charming only with a big stretch. Animals compensate for this shortcoming with a soft and kind character, amazing affection for a person. In addition, they are very affectionate and playful.
Balinese cat
Beginner owners can easily confuse this allergy cat with a Siamese. Indeed, these are related breeds, but the Balinese are hypoallergenic animals, since neither their hair nor the amount of harmful protein released excites the histamine centers of a person, therefore, allergic reactions do not occur.
With their sophisticated appearance, slanting blue eyes and fine silky coat, the animals are the result of the work of American breeders who crossed representatives of the long-haired and short-haired representatives of the Siamese breed.
Ashera
Gorgeous graceful cat with leopard color. The coat of this beauty is short and practically does not fall out. The breed was bred by selection. For generations, breeders have crossedonly those individuals that excreted 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 there are no allergen proteins in its saliva. Another representative of the breed is the Don Sphynx. There are sparse small hairs on his body, but they do not provoke allergic reactions.
If you ask a felinologist: “Which cat to get an allergic person?” - he will definitely recommend the Canadian Sphynx. These are very friendly representatives of the breed. They react quite adequately to other pets living with them in the same house. Canadians are not afraid of dogs they meet on the street while walking.
Don Sphynxes are great lovers to soak up the hands of the owner. They love to be stroked, and in a fit of feelings they can even lick their adored owner in the face.
Allerka
This is not only a beautiful, but also quite expensive animal (about 6 thousand dollars). The breed was bred specifically for people with allergies and asthma at the Allerca Research Corporation. This is the only scientifically proven hypoallergenic cat. Through long-term breeding, these animals have reduced the amount of allergy-causing enzymes.
Hypoallergenic cat care
Even the most "safe" cats sometimes cause allergies if they are not properly cared for. The following recommendations from allergists should be followed:
- Significant amountallergens are found in cat urine, so wash the litter box regularly and use a litter that absorbs liquid.
- Cats with hair (especially with undercoat) should be brushed daily, and hairs adhering to the surfaces of upholstered furniture should be removed with a rubber glove.
- Bath your cat should be frequent (at least once a week) with anti-allergic shampoo.
- Not only the pet itself should be kept clean, but also its dishes, toys, the rug on which it sleeps - in other words, everything that the animal comes into contact with and on which it can leave saliva, fur or sweat.
Observing these simple rules, an allergic person will be able to coexist perfectly with a cat, getting great pleasure from communicating with her.
