What kind of cats are good for people with allergies?

Question

I've always been incredibly allergic, but would love to own a cat. What can I do?

Answer 1

Breed Profile: Sphynx


Pictured: Best of Breed GC, BW, NW MAJIKMOON KUGEL CORUSCATE, Red Sphynx Male.
Photo: © Marc L. Rosenblum
In 1966 a domestic cat gave birth to a hairless kitten in Toronto, Canada. It was discovered to be a natural mutation and the Sphynx cat, as we know it today, came into existence. This cat and a few other naturally hairless cats have been found worldwide. These have magically been produced by Mother Nature and are the foundation for this unusual breed. Cat breeders in Europe and North America have bred the Sphynx to normal coated cats and then back to hairless for more than thirty years. The purpose of these selective breedings was to create a genetically sound cat with a large gene pool and hybrid vigor. This is a very robust breed with few health or genetic problems.

The Sphynx is not always totally hairless; there can be a fine down on the body, which makes the cat feel like a warm peach. Some light hair is often present on the nose, tail and toes. The texture of the Sphynx skin has been likened to suede, a hot water bottle, or a heated chamois. They can be registered in a wide variety of cat colors. The color is seen in the pigment of the skin and the few hairs that they do have. One of the questions most asked is "Don't they get cold?" Well, of course, if it is too cold for you it will be too cold for a hairless cat too. However, these cats are smart enough to find a warm human, dog or cat to curl up with or they will get under your bed covers.


Pictured: Second Best of Breed GC, RW PRIDESPHYNX BARIS KARLOFF, Black Sphynx Male.
Photo: © Jim Child
This is a substantial cat, medium sized and strong, with adult males being larger than adult females. Sphynx have sturdy boning and good muscle development and should have a bit of a belly as if they just finished dinner. They have an open-eyed, intelligent face and a friendly expression. The Sphynx are extremely inquisitive and love to be the center of attention. They perform silly antics for your entertainment and are sometimes downright clumsy…on purpose it seems. They make great show cats because of this "look at me" attitude and they are easy for judges to handle. They prefer human attention but enjoy the company of dogs and other cats. They have an abundance of energy and mischief and are always with you, on you or showing off for you. "Love Mooch" is the perfect term for these amazing cats.

Because of the lack of hair that would normally absorb body oils, the Sphynx needs to be bathed periodically. This is not a difficult task with a cat that has been accustomed to a bath from kittenhood and it takes no time at all to dry a Sphynx.

Some people who suffer from cat allergies can tolerate living with Sphynx cats. However, depending on the type and severity of the individual's allergic reactions, there are still people who cannot live with this breed.


Pictured: Third Best of Breed GC, RW SUEDEKITTY LIZZIE OF EMPTYNEST, Blue Sphynx Female.
Photo: © Chanan 2004
The Sphynx was accepted for registration, and competition, in the Miscellaneous Class by The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in February 1998. Sphynx lovers feel this is one of the most rare and unusual breeds in the cat fancy today…Sphynx are pure enchantment.

Sphynx are rare and most breeders have a waiting list for their kittens. Pricing on Sphynx usually depends on type, applicable markings and bloodlines distinguished by Grand Champion (GC), National, National Breed and/or Regional winning parentage (NW, BW, RW) or of Distinguished Merit parentage (DM). The DM title is achieved by the dam (mother) having produced five CFA grand champion/premier (alter) or DM offspring, or sire (father) having produced fifteen CFA grand champion/premier or DM offspring. Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment, showing, or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.

There are CFA clubs devoted to the promotion, protection and preservation of the Sphynx breed. For more information, please send inquiries to CFA, PO Box 1005, Manasquan NJ 08736-0805.

Click on the website to see the pictures

Answer 2

Siberians. They are hypoallergenic so people with allergies are less affected by them.

"How is it that the Siberian is hypo-allergenic?

Scientists have named the protein in the feline saliva, FEL D-1. When the cat cleans itself, the protein then dries on the fur leaving dander. The dander particles are small and air filters cannot remove them from the air. The Siberian is void of the FEL D1 protein, therefore no dander. However if the allergic party suffers from the IgE late trigger' antibody reaction, their chances of compatibility of owning a Siberian are lowered. "

"he Siberian is a great choice for the cat lover with allergies - as they do not have FeLD protein in their saliva which creates dander, and are hypoallergenic, or not an allergy problem to most allergy sufferers"

Answer 3

Since it's not the fur or hair that causes the allergies, it's the dander, most cats will cause them. They say the short hair cats are better because the dander gets caught up in the longer hair and accumulates, causing more of it to spread into the air when they scratch, shake, or move about.

Answer 4

Most people who THINK they are allergic to cats aren't.
What they ARE allergic to is the dander in their fur from the normal condition of the cat's skin. That is, the dead skin cells that accumulate in the animal's fur.
If you bathe your cat weekly and brush it often, then you most likely will find that your 'allergies' to cats will dissipate greatly or even disappear.

Answer 5

hairless cats!

its not the cats hair that causes allergies, so the coat length makes no difference, its in their saliva.. when they groom themselves, it gets left in their fur, and then..gets in the air.

Brush the cat everyday, feed a high quality food, and keep fans on.

Answer 6

a cat that doesnt have alot of hair but they are expensive like 600 dollars and it isn`t a purebreed so I would go with something different

Answer 7

Do you realize chiefly what his hypersensitivity is? Is it Fel d a million? All cats could have this of their salivary glands. There are matters you'll be able to do to support this however it is paintings if you are inclined to do it. If you can not have enough money the additional time, do not get one simply to need to eliminate it..it is too traumatic at the cat and you'll be able to simply come to be unhappy approximately it. I recommend a Sphinx or brief-haired cat. Keep rugs and flooring truly blank, shower the cat and groom it at least one time per week and use a HEPA clear out to filter the allergens.

Answer 8

I heard that light colored female cats give off less allergens then dark colored male cats.

Answer 9

Here is a link to some hyperallergenic pets:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoallergenic

Answer 10

short hair cats hii