Hypoallergenic cats?

Person_one

maysmummy wrote: »

My sis, who is a cat lover but allergic tried a siberian forest cat -allergic.

She solved her problem with a poodle. Poodles have wool not hair and she's fine with this.

There are lots of dog breeds I am absolutely fine with and I grew up with dogs, unfortunately a dog isn't really an option at the moment due to living in a flat with no outside space and OH and I both working 9-5.

I'd love a standard poodle someday though. I think with dogs the allergy is the actual fur while with cats its a protein in the saliva so its a lot harder to find a hypoallergenic cat. That's disappointing to hear about the Siberian though, this allergic breeder had got my hopes up, but everybody reacts differently it seems.

Person_one

Well it looks like we won't be getting a cat.

Having spoken to a few breeders, owners and doing more research it seems like its just too much of a risk. A lot of the allergic breeders and owners say that over time they have adapted to their own cats, or that they still have constant sniffles and take medication but they put up with it because they love their cats. I don't want to do that, I'm active and really like being healthy! I can't risk being slightly ill for 15+ years.

The last thing I ever want to do is get attached to an animal and then have to give it up, so I'm giving up.

I've decided to get a few rats instead, I've had them before and I know they don't make me ill. Right, I'm off to start a new thread about ratties I suppose!

Thanks for all your replies, it really did help me weigh up all the possibilities.

madget_2

Person_one wrote: »

A lot of the allergic breeders and owners say that over time they have adapted to their own cats, or that they still have constant sniffles and take medication but they put up with it because they love their cats.

That's been the case with me. I've become quite de-sensitised to my cats' fur/dander over the years, but I have to be careful about touching my face (especially near my eyes) after stroking them, and I come out in hives if they lick me. I sniffle a lot and have occasional long bouts of sneezing, but I'd rather be sniffly with cats than miserable without them.

I love rats, though, and think they tend to be very under-rated as pets. They're gorgeous, intelligent and quite affectionate creatures.