I have bad allergies. What kind of cat should I get? Besides a hairless cat?

Question

I live by myself and I would love to have a kitten. I called around some pet stores and shelters and was told that spring time is kitten season. So, I'm seriously looking into it because I'll have the cat for a long time. My big concern is that I have allergies. I don't know if I'm allergic to cats though. I play with my friends cat sometimes and I have no problems, but I don't know about living with one. What breed of cats is good for someone with allergies? I know that there are hypoallergenic dogs. Are there hypoallergenic cats? And please don't tell me to get a hairless cat. They don't appeal to me.

Answer 1

I live with two people that have terrible allergies, but I have a short haired cat ( but she sheds, not too bad tho), and a long haired small lap dog(that sheds a little also). They love my animals too peices, but they just get over the fact that there allergic to them becaue they love them too much! If you love an animal that much, just go for it!

It annoys me when familys won't let there kids have pets or at least a cat! Cats are pretty content and you don't have to teach them much, except show them where there cat box is and there food and water. Other than that cats can take care of them selves UNLIKE DOGS! You can leave a cat in a house for probley like a little longer than a week by it's self with the neccessities it needs. Cats are pretty clean animals, and if your cat does shed, you can get them on healtier diets or brush them more often! I will tell you the only gross thing about my cat is when she cleans her self it sounds kinda slurpy - gross egh? but other then that shes pretty awesome, and she has a buddy too, my dog jaxs! There best of friends and surprisingly they take turns chasing each other through the house and it's pretty funny. My cat also likes to play with those fuzzy pom poms you can buy at the craft stores, plastic store sacks, string, computer mouse sized cotton stuffed toys that have crazy hair, rabbits foot (she discovered my friends lucky rabbit foot one day and has been friends with it ever since). Yup. and my cat likes to be spoiled with a comfy pillow with a fuzzy blanket over it, or in other cases I have put a towl on there! I saved my cat and my dog, my cat was dumped in the street when she was just old enough to eat, and my dog was tourched by a family and they just gave it to me and he was infested with worms and flees but I put him under intense care. lol! Sorry.. im babeling on about my pets. I just love them. oh and I have 4 fish, my cat dosn't pay much attention to them any more, but she did like my dwarf hamsteres I had, all she did was bate with them but thats about it! Im going to get a big sized bird around valentions day, so I guess well have to see what happens! =D...

Answer 2

There are several issues here, so I'll directly address them one at a time.

There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic animal - dog *or* cat. There are certain breeds that people are less prone to be allergic to, but there is no hypoallergenic breed.

Pet stores are the worst place to get *any* kind of animal and they often give horrid advice. Their animals frequently come from 'mills' and unhealthy situations. Instead, visit a petco, petsmart, or local no-kill rescue group and look into adopting a kitten. Even though it's not kitten season, our local rescue places still have a ton of them. All breeds and all colours.

The allergies. If you are prone to allergies, then you should not get a pet until you can be allergy tested by a physician. Or, ask a rescue group if you can foster an older cat for awhile. This would tell you if you can handle taking care of a cat and if you are allergic. And remember, allergies are not usually from the hair or fur. They are from the dander and the saliva. Personally, I've always been more allergic to 'downy' type breeds - breeds with super soft and fine fur because the actual fur can irritate my allergies along with the saliva.

I currently have a cat and have allergies. They are controlled by taking a claritin each night and by being smart. The cat is not allowed on my bed. We vacuum frequently. After touching the cat, I wash my hands thoroughly. But, my allergies are controlled in part because he's my cat and I've been desensitized to him.

Good luck to you and I hope that you find a kitten that is right for you. : )

Answer 3

I also have cat allergies...go figure, I have 5 cats!!! It only bothers me certain times when my eyes get really itchy and I get really itchy from scratches. I don't do anything special, but Similason brand of allergy eye relief works the best (Walmart carries it) and it doesn't sting at all. There are some sprays that you can use on cats to help with the dander that causes allergies but make sure it is actually safe for the cat (don't rely on the bottle saying so, check the ingredients-as it may be safe for fur but not ingested and cats of course wash themselves often). Just vacuum and wash bedding weekly (if they sleep there) and hopefully you won't have a problem. I did read they did "invent" a hypoallergenic cat but I thought it was like $2,000 and a waiting list. As for the hairless....not the best looking but I am sure just as sweet and you could always play dress up . If you didn't have problems with your friend's cat, you should be fine although long hair cats can be more bothersome. Not sure where you live, but besides the animal shelters, stores like PetSmart have shelter cats in the stores, check the classified ads in the newspapers as often you can find one for less or free that is spayed/neutered already. Also check with different vets as sometimes their patients (cats) need a new home due to a move or an elderly person moving to a nursing home and unable to take their beloved pet with them and heartbroken having to give them up. Best wishes to your and your future little one. P.S.- I would really consider two kittens if you are going to be gone most of the day as they will keep each other company and be each others best friend until you get home. As for kittens they are used to being around others and being by themselves all of a sudden can be traumatic-one of our girls took one kitten (was so friendly and social with her siblings and us) and in three months of being alone all day she hisses and slaps at everyone but her and her boyfriend. The one kitten we kept turned wild after her siblings were gone-like she was mad at us that her sisters were gone. We also kept her mommy so mommy "Pickle" took over the role of sister (got them both spayed) and now baby Dingo is now a happy kitty with her mommy who finally has her childhood. (Pickle was a very sick, 4 1/2 lb. pregnant farm cat on her 3rd litter-1st two all died- when I rescued her). She is only 2 1/2 yrs. old and is a 6 lb. ball of calico fluff now. You'll be a good cat mommy!

Answer 4

In general all cats (besides hairless lol) shed. But i've had 4 cats in my life and i would say if you get a cat that has wire hair- its glossy looking and kinda feels like it has oil on its fur- that would be best. My cat that had that type of hair shed very little and didnt cause a problem with allergies or anything.

Answer 5

If you play with your friend's cat you probably don't have too much of a problem. Any cat sheds a lot and would need brushing, but they do make dander shampoos - not dandruff - dander reducing - Dander is the substance that is in their hair that makes people allergic to them.

Other than that, try it and see how you do - Go to the place you are going to get the kitten and hold it and play with it for a while - if you are going to have a problem - your allergies should kick in relatively quickly... and you'd notice sneezing, itchy watery eyes pretty quickly. Hold it close to your face too, since they tend to jump and lay everywhere like bedding, etc.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Get tested, or get a hypoallergenic cat. You can get ones that are inexpensive- its just a matter of a cat having hair instead of fur. Furry cats are the ones that trigger allergies. Try a siamese- I know those don't trigger allergies. The humane society website has alot of good info on what kind of cat is the best for what type of person. Good luck!

Answer 7

Some short haired tabbies are great but if I may suggest a hypoallergenic dog breed like the Havanese or Maltese.

My wife has really bad allergies but with these dogs she never has trouble as they don't shed.

Answer 8

Hi there...I would like to share some supportive information we give to people who suffer from cat allergies as many are unaware that "all" cats regardless of breed or if long, short or no hair breed of cats can cause allergies. Any vet can confirm this fact.

Older books on cats and cat care usually blame the allergy on cat fur e.g. breathing in small particles of the fur itself. Some blame it specifically on the cat’s guard hairs (the long hairs within the cat’s coat) and may recommend keeping a breed which lacks these guard hairs e.g. Devon/Cornish Rex or the hairless Sphynx. Referring to these breeds as hypoallergenic or allergen-free is incorrect as It is not the hair which causes the allergic reaction.

The real culprit appears to be a glycoprotein, Fel d1 which is secreted by the sebaceous glands and is the major cat allergen. This allergen is found in the fur, pelt, saliva, serum, urine, mucous, salivary glands, and hair roots of the cat. The main sources of the allergen, however, are the skin and saliva.

When a cat grooms/washes itself, saliva is deposited on its fur (or skin in the case of hairless cats). The saliva dries into dust (dander or dandruff) which is released airborne when a cat scratches or moves and when humans stroke or brush a cat. Fel d1.

All cats groom themselves, even those which lack guard hairs or which lack hair altogether (e.g. Sphynx). The dust forms on all types of cat hair or directly on the cat’s skin if it lacks fur. Hairless Sphynx cats produce dandruff directly on their skin and though they produce less of it than furred cats, they can still produce enough to trigger an allergic reaction. An allergy occurs when the body over-reacts to a substance (allergen) and produces excessive amounts of histamine. Excessive histamine production leads to the irritating symptoms associated with cat-allergy - itchy eyes, sneezing, skin rash etc.

Although Fel d1 is the protein most often associated with allergies, humans are very variable and there will be some people who develop allergies to other feline proteins. Some people are unaffected by Siamese cats, but allergic to other cats and some people have reported whose cat alergy is only triggered by male cats (even if the cats are neutered).

Anyhow, please consider reading the following website literature to learn more about the Fel d1 protein and how it affects allergies in humans.

http://allergies.about.com/cs/cats/a/aa013100a.htm
http://www.allergysa.org/pet.htm#cat

Here's a video (located on the webpage on the right side) by a veterinarian about the allergen Fel d1 and how it affects cat allergy sufferers. It's an organization who is is selectively breeding cats without the Fel d1 protein to make available for sale for those who who suffer allergies but would like to own a cat: http://www.allerca.com/

People with mild allergies to cats can benefit from Benadryl, Allegra, Singulair, Clairitin, Zyrtec other similar antihistamines. One may work better than one another if your husband is willing to experiment to see which works best. If the allergy is more severe neither a cat born without the Fel D1 protein or the anti-histamines has been successful.

Answer 9

I would go and spend some time at an animal shelter and see if you have any reactions to the cats BEFORE you get one. That way you can also get to know some of the cats and can see if you'll have a reaction. Who knows maybe you'll find your dream cat!

Answer 10

Go with a spayed female cat with light-colored fur. Female cats shed substantially less than male cats. Neutered males shed less than intact males. Lighter-furred cats are believed to shed less than darker-furred cats.

There are hypoallergenic cats being bred by Allerca (www.allerca.com), but there is a waiting list and a cost of close to $5k to get one...