I am allergic to cats - will I be allergic to rabbits?

Question

I have an allergy to cats, but I am thinking of getting a "House Rabbit". Will I be allergic to this as well?

Answer 1

I am allergic to cats too but not rabbits! A funny thing is that I am not allergic to wild cats, such as lions! I mean I have petted wild cats and have never started sneezing or swelling up over my eyes like I do with house cats! Another thing is horses! I am highly allergic to them. It is kinda weird how the different animal allergies vary...or maybe it's the people who do! Anyway, the best thing to do is to try and find out yourself if you are allergic. If you do start sneezing or anything else, the best thing to do then is not touch your eyes until you have washed your hands! Most of the time a person's allergies are worse because they scratched their eyes, etc and their hands weren't clean! Hope I helped:-)

Answer 2

Not necessarily. I have severe reactions around cats but had pet rabbits that never made me sick. The proteins from the cats that make you react are really pretty different from the ones that come from rabbits.

Rather than hanging out with a bunny and risk having a severe reaction, you can let an allergy specialist test you to find out exactly what you are allergic to.

Answer 3

Possibly, but probably not. It depends on whether you're only allergic to cats. If you have a lot of allergies, chances are you'll be allergic to a lot of animals. It's often not the fur that people react to, but rather the "dander". This is dried airborne saliva that is inhaled after a cat has been licking itself, which cats do a lot of. Rabbits on the other hand don't groom quite so much, and are a less irritating species on that level.

Answer 4

I'm allergic to dogs but no other animal (good job as I work with animals).

If you are thinking of getting a rabbit see if you can spend some time with it before you commit to buy. Hold it close by you for a few minutes and see if you have a reaction. I did this with the dog my parents wanted to buy, i had no reaction after about 30 mins, so they brought him, and I've been fine since with him (but still allergic to all other dogs strangely!).

Answer 5

Cat allergy in humans is an allergic reaction to cat glycoprotein Fel d 1 secreted by the cat's sebaceous glands. Fel d 1 is mostly found in the cat's skin and saliva.

An allergic reaction is a histamine reaction that is usually characterized by coughing, wheezing, chest tightening, itching, rash, watering eyes, sneezing and similar symptoms.

So, You are not prone to get allergic from Rabbits Since it does not have above mentioned bec.

Answer 6

Many people are allerci to cats because of their fine hair. That is why people who are allergic to cats, are not necessarily allergic to dogs. Dogs have usually thicker hair.

Rabbit hair is very fine usually, and they shed just like cats do. I do not think that a rabbit will be a good idea. Why dont you try a guinea pig? Their hair is very though, and they dont shed as much. And they are cute too!

Answer 7

You're no more likely to be allergic to a rabbit just because you're allergic to a cat... Different animals, different fur xx

Answer 8

Not necessarily, but I suggest to you go to someone who has rabbits. Pick some up and play with them. You will quickly find out if you are allergic or not.

Answer 9

It depends on the person. I used to only be allergic to horses now i'm pretty much allergic to anything furry. Best thing to do is just to get her to handle one and see what happens.

Answer 10

the possibility of you being alleric to the rabbit is a big one, my daughter is allergic to cats, rabbits and dogs so any thing with fur could cause you problems