Hypoallergenic cats?

Person_one

I never thought I'd be able to have a cat but recently after a bit of research it seems that some breeds are supposedly more suitable for people with allergies, they are:

Siberian
Russian Blue
Devon Rex
Cornish Rex
The hairless breeds (not keen on these though!)

Does anyone with allergies have any experience with any of these?

scotsgirl_3

I would suggest visiting some local breeders and seeing how you react. Some info on cat allergies says the allergy is to dander/saliva, others seems to suggest it can be hair. Personally, I have two close friends who are both very allergic to my domestic short hair cat (small hairs that fly around and tend to get up your nose more) whereas both are quite able to tolerate my long haired maine coons, who shed in little tufts so their hair doesn't seem to irritate as much. Seems completely illogical but it seems to be quite common from reading online.

It really depends how serious your allergy is.

Person_one

I've found a breeder of Siberians quite nearby so I might give them a ring and see if I can sit in her house for a bit to test!

I'm quite badly allergic to normal short haired cats, I'll be sneezing and wheezing with red watery eyes and blotchy skin for hours if I get too close! I've never really been around long haired cats though. Next door have a Persian that keeps trying to get in our flat, maybe I'll let it next time!

cinderellacomplex

I don't have personal experience with any of those breeds but I do know that my aunt swore that her allergies were only triggered by male cats - I'm not sure how much of that is true, it might be worth looking into but take it with a pinch of salt!

Person_one

cinderellacomplex wrote: »

I don't have personal experience with any of those breeds but I do know that my aunt swore that her allergies were only triggered by male cats - I'm not sure how much of that is true, it might be worth looking into but take it with a pinch of salt!

Actually a few of the things I've read suggest getting a female because they have less of the hormone that causes the allergy, so your aunt may be onto something!

scotsgirl_3

hmmm that's funny - my maine coons are both girls, and my short hair is a boy......Lol

I think all you can do is take it slowly and experiment. There may well be a cat that could work for you.

Person_one

Are your cats kept indoors? I live in a tenth floor flat so any I got would have to be!

scotsgirl_3

yup all 3 of mine are house cats. I originally lived in a 7th floor flat so had no choice (when I got my moggy and first maine coon) and tbh I wouldn't even contemplate letting them out. Most pedigree breeders won't sell cats to an outdoor home because of the risks involved. I know a lot of people are against indoor cats, but I've never had any problems, they have a big scratch post and lots of toys and seem quite content. They've sniffed outside the front door but just aren't interested!!

Person_one

My main worry would be them escaping through a window or getting in the lift before we could stop them!

I don't have any moral issue with having indoor cats, I'd never want to have my pet leave one night and never come back and never know what happened. When I was a kid there used to be loads of local dogs that ran around loose all the time and you never see that anymore, maybe the same will happen with cats.

How do you exercise them though? I've only ever had dogs and small animals before so I'm a complete cat beginner!

scotsgirl_3

TBH I've never even had any attempted escapes! Moggy was an adult when we got him but had always been indoor, the others were kittens ( we got them seperately) and they have never tried to go out, I think because they've not been used to it. We are more careful now because we live in a main door beside a(very small) road, but they just don't try. Admittedly I don't tend to leave the windows open enough for them to get out of them, but at 10 floors up they are fairly unlikely to try it anyway. Once a cat is full grown you should still be able to have the window open enough for some air without it being open enough for kitty.

Exercise - I have a nearly 6ft scratchpost which they run up and down, and lots of simple toys. Having more than one does help as they play and chase each other a lot too, but this may not be an option with your allergy (one may be enough to adjust to, at least at first.) You'll be amazed how much a cat can move around in a flat!

We lost a cat on roads when i was younger, went away and never came back, and it put me off having outdoor cats.

Fire_Fox

Allergic responses often get worse with repeated exposure and you can suddenly develop new ones - what will you do with your cat if that happens? Also you should check that you can get permission for a cat, specifically check there isn't a clause in the long lease that precludes pets without permission. Many landlords or leaseholders are not aware of the clause, but it can be enforced through an LVT if a neighbour complains. Please don't assume because there are other cats/ dogs in the building it is OK.

There is some anecdotal evidence that feeding a raw diet can reduce allergies in human companions, this makes sense as the skin is a major organ of excretion so what goes in the cat will come out in the dander.
http://www.catnutrition.org/testimonials.php
There is a product called petal cleanse that is often recommended on Purrsinourhearts forums:http://www.biolife-international.co.uk/

To stimulate the mind and body of an indoor cat ideally you would have two plus a range of interactive and solo play toys, IMO Purrs shop is the best source:
http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/catalog/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIgdVucDeVU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIpN8xlnR4k