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Health

Cats that do not cause allergies

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
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It is believed that cats that do not cause allergies, it's a myth. In fact, it is, since the allergic provoker is not the animal's coat, but its natural, contained in the saliva and sebaceous glands, an enzyme. And, no matter how hard the breeders try, there will always be an allergic person who, believing the arguments of the breeders, will acquire a cat and suffer from allergy attacks.

There are cats that do not practically have wool, there are cats that like to "swim", respectively, the risk of an aggressive response from the human immune system is low, breeds with a reduced gene for the formation of glycoprotein, the main source of allergy to animals, are derived. However, hypoallergenicity is only a minimization of a possible reaction, but not a complete neutralization. The prefix "Hypo" does not mean absolute safety, in Latin it sounds like "weak, reduced". Thus, cats that do not cause allergies are those that are less likely to provoke an allergic reaction than other species. This information is very important for those who seek to make a fluffy friend in spite of their allergic status.

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Which cats do not cause allergies?

Before you decide on the choice of a safe breed, you should find out how the allergy to cats develops. The glycoprotein, which is so intensively reacted by human immunity, is found in the salivary and sebaceous glands of animals, the name of this allergen is Felix domesticus D1. Like many other protein compounds, glycoprotein is perceived by the human immune system as an alien, harmful agent. In houses where a cat or cat lives, such allergens are almost everywhere, they are carried instantly, and even after a painful parting with the pet, about six months are saved on objects, furniture, carpets and so on. Molecules of allergens are much less pollen of plants, they instantly pass the barrier of the bronchial membranes of the owner of the animal, and can provoke an allergic reaction. Fel D1 is spread by the cat in the process of licking wool or skin, so even the so-called "naked" cat - the sphinx, can also be an allergic provoker, like a Persian cat.

In defense of cats, it should be said that an allergy can have an entirely different reason, to which the feline family does not apply, this factor should be clarified with the help of an allergic test.

Before deciding which cats do not cause allergies, and choose one of them, you should read the following information: 

  • Approximately every sixth inhabitant of the planet is predisposed to an allergic reaction, including on animals. Of these, one in three has a cat and is quite pleased with this choice. Consequently, even allergy sufferers have the opportunity to enjoy communication with a fluffy or smooth-haired companion. 
  • Particularly intensely react to the family of feline asthmatics, but more than 50% of them give birth to cats and do not suffer from asthmatic attacks. 
  • Every fourth allergic person - the owner of a hypoallergenic cat, after a while looks for his pet a new owner, because the hopes for a safe, "non-allergic" cohabitation are not justified. 
  • An allergic reaction to a pet can both increase and decrease when natural desensitization occurs. 
  • It is believed that the representatives of the cat family, having a white, light color, are less allergic than to gather them with dark hair. This information has no scientific or statistical evidence and is rather observational. Studies conducted with the help of 300 volunteers are not indicative from a medical point of view. 
  • The first signs of an allergy may appear a month or more after the cat appears in the house. 
  • It is believed that cats and kittens of any sex are less dangerous in the sense of allergy than adult cats. 
  • 35% of daredevils - allergy sufferers, passionately fond of cats, eventually adapted to co-existence with their personal favorites, but paradoxically they continued to react to other people's pets. 
  • An allergic reaction can cause no more than 2 kinds of antigens, so if a person already shows an allergy to dogs, cats are safe for him.

Breeds of cats that do not cause allergies

We list the breeds that, to a lesser extent than other relatives in the family, provoke an allergy in humans: 

  • The Siberian breed of cats, despite the thick long coat, allocates a small amount of glycoproteins and, in connection with these, is popular with allergic-predisposed people. 
  • The Balinese or Balinese breed is famous for its hypoallergenicity, as its representatives produce a very small amount of an allergen - Fel D1. 
  • All varieties of Rex are Cornish Rex, Devon Rex and others. These are short-haired animals, very demanding for cleanliness, they need to be washed frequently. Since the wool is small, the skin is cleaned fairly regularly, glycoprotein is released into the environment in minimal amounts. 
  • Cats are orientals, a short-haired eastern breed that requires purity, therefore, the allergen is neutralized by careful care. 
  • Cats and cats-sphinxes, also called "naked." Accordingly, glycoprotein is secreted by the sebaceous glands less intensively, the risk for a person in the sense of allergy is minimal. 
  • Russian blue cats and cats also belong to the category of hypoallergenic animals. 
  • The Javanese breed of cats is famous for its medium length hair, which has no undercoat and fine hair structure. 
  • A huge, leopard-colored cat Asher is included in the list of hypoallergenic pets, however, there is no exact statistical confirmation of this.

Breeding cats that do not cause allergies are the number one task for many breeders, so biologists try to solve it in all possible ways. For the sixth year the fans of the cat family, felinology have the opportunity to admire the so-called genetically modified breed, derived by the company Lifestyle Pets. The scientists called the new species Allerka, and offered kittens at a very high price, claiming that they could not allocate Fel D1. The animals have a cheerful disposition, they are very playful, attached to the owners, they have very short hair and weigh up to 8 kilograms. The high cost of small allergens is explained by the fact that in order to control the purity of the breed, the company annually displays no more than 100 individuals. It would seem that a way out was found, but after a few years, allergy cases were registered among the owners of allergens, and the first lawsuits to the company appeared, periodically appearing until now.

While there are litigation between innovators and owners of the most expensive cats in the world, many owners of more democratic breeds try to cope with the task of fighting allergies on their own. Performing simple recommendations, they achieve success in 65% of cases, the rest, alas, have to part with the pet and look for other safer ways to satisfy the love of the animal world.

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