Cats are mysterious and useful animals. Not every person tolerates contact with them well and can keep representatives of ordinary breeds in their home. Some suffer from an allergic reaction. An animal appears nearby, causing eye irritation, watery eyes, redness of the skin, itching, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing. Allergy sufferers can enjoy the company of animals as there are hypoallergenic cats. Hypoallergenic cat breeds are safe for allergy sufferers. We will tell you in detail about this miracle of nature below.
A clean person's dream: non-shedding and odorless cats
There's nothing you can do.
All fur cats shed. The fluffier the pet, the more fur it produces. Pets living outside the city usually shed in spring and autumn. And city dwellers with tails develop “apartment” moulting. The air temperature in the room is almost the same all year round, and cats shed a little, but constantly. Cat breeders are people too, and once upon a time (perhaps in the process of beating out a carpet or shaking out a bedspread), they - regardless of their country of residence - wanted to breed a breed that would not shed, and at the same time would not smell. Of course, cats in this regard are not dogs, which are much more “fragrant,” but there is still a slight specific smell from animals. To date, the task of breeding a non-shedding and odorless pet has not yet been completely completed, but there are already plenty to choose from.
It must be said that hairless cats are closest to the ideal of a clean perfectionist. They simply do not have wool (well, practically), and the barely noticeable odor is easily removed by wiping the skin with damp wipes. These include the Sphynx (Canadian, Don, St. Petersburg), as well as young breeds - bambino, elf, Dwelf and Ukrainian Levkoy.
Not a lot of wool from rexes either. Their “astrakhan” coats have no undercoat and hardly shed. And there is no smell. Cornishes, Devons, Laperms, etc. - there are many breeds, there are many to choose from.
Russian Blues and Nibelungs shed almost imperceptibly throughout the year, with virtually no shedding of the undercoat. They do not shed seasonally.
If your cat's fur suddenly begins to shed, it may be a result of stress, a hormonal storm, or poor health. Don't miss the problem: if there is no reason for stress and a surge in hormones, take the animal to the veterinarian.
Bengals, too, in addition to their beauty and other bonuses, are distinguished by their careful attitude towards their own fur and part with it carefully and little by little.
Cats from the Siamese-Oriental group are also suitable for those who love cleanliness. By the way, here the merits of felinologists are reduced to a minimum. Nature itself did everything. There are cats that genetically have no undercoat. Their distant ancestors lived in a warm climate, and with the change of season there was no need to “change” from a winter coat to a summer one. What breeds are these? Siamese, Abyssinians, Orientals, Thai cats, Mekong Bobtails, Balinese, Burmese.
What cat breeds are hypoallergenic?
We present to our readers the top hypoallergenic representatives of the cat family. Let's list the most popular breeds with which breeders prone to allergies successfully live.
Canadian Sphynx
People with defective immune systems have good contact with the charming Canadian Sphynxes. For some reason, these hairless cats lead the statistics and have the highest hypoallergenic qualities. It is not possible to give a scientific explanation for the fact that out of a whole range of representatives of hairless animals, people most often give preference to Canadians. In terms of demand, they outperform other good breeds - the Don Sphynx, Bambino, and Ukrainian Levkoy. It is the Canadian breed that is the oldest, perhaps for this reason there is such keen interest in it.
Canadian Sphynx
Don Sphynx
The second most popular breed, the Don Sphynx, originated from a half-hairless cat, the breed was discovered and began to be bred not so long ago, about 3 decades ago, and is not ancient. These friendly animals help their owners relieve headaches, help improve the condition of nervous disorders, relieve muscle pain, and speed up the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The breed is as close as possible to hypoallergenic status.
Don Sphynx
Peterbald
St. Petersburg Sphynxes are sophisticated, intelligent, graceful, kind and non-aggressive. The ancestors of the breed are Oriental cats and Don Sphynx cats. From these representatives, the Peterbalds inherited a wonderful energy, which the owners feel well, and an intelligent character. Many allergy sufferers get along with the breed without suffering from the animal. A cat without hair, but can purr attractively, does not oppose manifestations of love from a person. To protect against allergies, you only need to bathe such a cat on time. Otherwise, care is the same as for other hairless animals.
Peterbald
Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex breed has an earl's character and English roots. Of the features, it is necessary to note a high-quality coat of body with curls, an easy-going disposition. The Cornish Rex breed is a playful and mildly allergenic friend. Hypoallergenicity increases if bathing is done in a timely manner. In this case, there is a minimum of allergy-provoking proteins in the wool. There are many of them on the body of furry breeds.
Cornish Rex
Devon Rex
The Devon Rex breed has an incredibly rich inner world, a minimum of fur, and an original winged ear shape. The less hair an animal has, the lower the likelihood of suffering from the Fel-D1 substance. In the habitat of these cats there is practically no hair, which means that protein harmful to allergy sufferers does not spread throughout the home. It is known that the Devon Rex has high intelligence, is undoubtedly hypoallergenic, and even tries to help its owners in everyday life.
Devon Rex
Cat Likoy
At first sight it is almost impossible to fall in love with the Lykoi breed. She has a very unusual appearance. It would seem that this is something like an ugly duckling. In fact, this is not so, this cat has many advantages. The magical appearance and all the advantages can only be seen upon close acquaintance. The breed was not bred artificially. It was assumed that experts were developing a new bald breed, but instead of smooth skin, the founders had bald spots on their bodies. This type of cat is not a type of Sphynx. In fact, this is one of the representatives of short-haired domestic cats. Werewolves from the cat family do not have a rich skin, and the existing coat is not supplemented with undercoat. This fact probably makes the breed hypoallergenic.
Likoy
Siberian cat
The Siberian breed has a native Russian soul. These mysterious animals are depicted in the form of cast iron sculptures; they are installed in a park in the city of Tyumen. As a general rule, a hypoallergenic cat should have sparse hair or completely hairless skin. This rule does not apply to Siberians. The wool does not get wet, animals do not freeze in the cold, do not provoke allergies, and behave calmly. It is impossible to give an adequate explanation for this effect. The breed is non-allergenic for 75% of all people at risk of allergies.
Siberian cat
Javanese
You should not think that the Javanese breed is of Armenian origin, judging by the sound of the name. Cats have hypoallergenic fur; they came to us from America. The Fel-D1 substance is released minimally. In fact, the breed was named in honor of the island of Java. Javanese cats have a shiny, rich coat of charming colors. There are color options for such cats - these are colors with medallions, one-color color, smoky, Siamese party-color and classic party-color, torby, shaded, tortoiseshell, tabby.
Javanese cat
Oriental cat
Another American breed is the Oriental. This is an example of a hypoallergenic cat. These animals once originated in Thailand. Although specialists from America worked hard on breeding Orientals and took care of the design of the breed. The cats are slender, short-haired, do not cause allergies, and hopelessly make people fall in love with them. From this breed you can get the desired result - an obedient and not evil character.
Oriental cat
Balinese cat
Hypoallergenic Balinese cats are animals with an athletic body and a moderate coat. This is one of the subspecies of Siamese cats, it is considered semi-longhaired. Watching Balinese cats, you can understand that they resemble dancers who move smoothly and gracefully.
Balinese cat
Hairless cats
Representatives of hairless cats are Sphinxes, Elves, Bambinos, Ukrainian Levkoys
. The length of the hairs that partially cover their body does not exceed 2 mm, so at first glance they may seem like an ideal option for purists and allergy sufferers. But things are not so simple here.
The fact is that the almost bare skin of pets is protected by the constantly protruding brown secretion of the sebaceous glands. Special care is required for the ears, tail and skin folds, in which plaque very quickly accumulates, which can cause inflammation, the appearance of acne and weeping wounds.
Despite their lack of hair, these breeds are often not suitable for people with allergies.
This is explained by the fact that allergic reactions are caused by proteins released in saliva, sweat, urine, skin particles, secretions of sebaceous and sweat glands of pets.
Wool is only a carrier and accumulator of allergens. And since hairless cats produce more glandular products than short-haired breeds, they more often provoke specific immune reactions in the human body.
Rules for keeping a cat in a house where an allergy sufferer lives
To reduce the risk of allergies, you must follow the following rules for keeping your pet:
- Regular house cleaning. Dusting, mopping, cleaning the litter box, and washing litter can help remove more allergens. It is necessary from childhood to suppress the animal’s intention to sleep in the owner’s bed. It is necessary to monitor the air humidity in the room - dryness increases the risk of an allergic reaction. It is necessary to remove carpets and thick curtains from the room, which collect dust - an additional factor in the development of allergies.
- Caring for your pet's coat and skin. Depending on the breed, you need to regularly comb the coat and wipe the skin with a damp cloth or a special alcohol-free lotion. Particularly careful care is required during seasonal molting (spring and autumn). Bathing helps get rid of dandruff and secretions, but you should not resort to it too often, because it dries out the skin.
- Castration of an animal. The operation is performed after the kitten reaches puberty (at 7–8 months). If the owner intends to use the pet for breeding, it is necessary to frequently clean clothes from fur containing dandruff particles, wash the cat's litter box and ventilate the room.
There is no animal that does not cause allergies in any person. Despite this, an allergy to cats or dogs is not an obstacle to purchasing a pet. You just need to select an animal from the safest and least shedding breeds and follow the rules of keeping it.
Allerka and Ashera
Cats Allerka and Asher are called Lifestyle Pets' biggest scam. Its representatives loudly announced that they had bred breeds that do not produce the Fel D1 protein, which is the main allergen for humans.
The demand for such unique animals immediately exceeded supply, despite the cost ranging from $7,000 to $22,000 per pet. However, it soon became clear that Allerka and Ashera are a previously bred Savannah breed
, which was proven during the trial. Cases of allergies to them have also been reported.
How to care and maintain?
Veterinarians note that any feline pet, regardless of whether it sheds or not, needs to at least occasionally be in the fresh air so that the immune system does not weaken.
Pets with hair loss require special care as they are more likely to develop dermatological diseases. It is worth monitoring your cat’s daily diet and giving her special food that contains all the necessary vitamins and microelements that keep the body normal. Individuals that shed the least are those that are often combed by their owners, especially in the autumn-spring period. If the cat is in pain and discomfort during the procedure, then instead of a brush with metal needles, it is recommended to use a silicone glove with teeth, which is less traumatic for the pet’s skin.
To make the animal shed less, it is bathed with special shampoos, since conventional products negatively affect the condition of the skin and can cause dermatitis and other skin problems. It is worth visiting a veterinarian with your cat at least once a year for a preventive examination. If an animal sheds due to pathological reasons, then special treatment is required.
Ways to reduce allergen levels
Although there are no anti-allergy cats, there are methods that can reduce the negative effects of harmful substances on humans.
- Sterilization.
Neutered females and males emit fewer allergens than their fertile counterparts. - Strict hygiene.
Regular bathing of animals with special shampoos, wiping the skin (for hairless cats) with Allerpet anti-allergic wipes, daily combing and removing hairs with a wet glove. - Maintaining your pet's health.
A sick cat with discharge from the nasal and oral cavity, eyes, ears, urine, vomiting and liquid feces releases millions of allergens and pathogenic microorganisms that settle on the fur, surrounding objects, skin and mucous membranes of humans. - Keeping the house clean.
Regular ventilation of the room, wet cleaning, avoidance of floor coverings with large piles, soft toys, plush houses and bedding for pets.
Cats should not be allowed to sleep in the same bed as their owner or in a closet where bedding and clothes are stored.
After contact with an animal, you must wash your hands and (preferably) your face. Allergists also recommend installing good air purifiers and humidifiers at home.
What is an allergy to cats?
The intensity of the allergic reaction depends on the body's tolerance to the allergen. Its signs can appear immediately as soon as a person strokes the cat or even just enters the room where it is located, or after a few hours. There are often cases when allergies do not recur after a long break between the first and second contacts with the animal. This is due to the production of antibodies to allergens. Allergy symptoms are divided into the following groups:
- Respiratory manifestations. Cat protein intolerance causes coughing, sneezing, rhinitis and nasal congestion. With severe allergies, it becomes difficult for a person to breathe due to spasm of the smooth muscles of the trachea and bronchi.
- Reactions of the skin and mucous membranes. Dryness, hyperemia, inflammation and rash on the skin, lacrimation and swelling of the mucous membranes appear after contact with the animal. These symptoms are often the first to appear. If only these signs are present, it is easier to stop the allergic reaction - just do not pet the cat and clean the furniture from its fur more often.
- Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Nausea and vomiting indicate that the allergen has entered the digestive tract. You need to thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits, keep the dishes clean, and do not allow your pet to climb on tables (it is better not to let him into the kitchen or dining room at all).
- Deterioration in general health. With a pronounced allergy, a person becomes irritable or, conversely, lethargic, feels weak and has a headache. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor to diagnose the disease and begin treatment.
A little about molting
All cats with fur experience a natural process of hair loss. This process occurs much more intensely in long-haired breeds and in animals with voluminous undercoat.
Since the fluff in the lower layer has a finer structure, changing this hair brings more inconvenience to the owners - weightless pieces of fur fly throughout the house, settling on clothes and furniture, getting into the eyes and getting into the respiratory tract.
It is not so difficult to survive seasonal shedding; it occurs twice a year - at the beginning of spring and autumn, when the undercoat changes.
But domestic cats that do not walk outside often experience the effect of “indoor” shedding. The cat is constantly warm and shedding its undercoat occurs almost constantly.
Sphinx
Representatives of this breed are completely hairless. Therefore, they can be safely classified as one of the most non-shedding breeds. The lack of fur is caused by a mutation that geneticists have identified as a pattern. Some kittens may be born with fur, but by the age of two they will have completely lost it.
Externally, these cats are difficult to distinguish. However, there are several breeds of Sphynx:
- Naked - individuals have no hair or undercoat, some also do not have eyebrows or whiskers. Only in winter can sparse medium-length hairs appear and grow on the body of such cats.
- Velor or flock sphinxes - their body is covered with a pleasant-to-touch fluff, which can cover both the entire body and individual parts of it.
Who are Oriental cats and how to keep them
There are rare cases where an animal is born with long hair, but before it reaches adulthood, it completely falls out.
Nibelung
Nibelungs are rare animals that resemble the Russian Blue in appearance. There is only one difference between them - Nibelungs have longer hair. It is no different from the Russian Blue coat, so they do not shed and can be safely adopted by allergy sufferers.
Do you want to get a cat, but the constant cleaning of fur from furniture and clothes is stopping you? There is an exit. You need to choose an animal that is a non-shedding breed. Then you will have a devoted friend, and nothing will spoil the pleasure of keeping a cat.
Bengal
This breed is quite unique. This is the first hybrid breed of domestic and wild cat.
A distinctive feature of this breed is that it does not require maintenance. Procedures such as grooming and bathing are foreign to these animals.
Seven days after birth, kittens begin phasing, a process that is characteristic only of wild cats. The essence of phasing is that the bright color of the kitten is hidden behind a thick undercoat, which grows longer than the guard hair.
In natural conditions, the individual becomes almost invisible, as it completely merges with the environment. This happens because the cat changes its brightness and attractiveness.
As the kitten grows, it is weaned from its mother and the baby begins to eat solid food on its own. The muscles become stronger, and the body becomes swift and light.
By 4-9 months, the entire undercoat comes out completely, and the animal’s fur becomes glittery and shiny. The undercoat does not grow back, which is why you don’t have to think about shedding.
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