"Hypo-allergenic" cats

[chirurgeon]

I am allergic to cats but I LOVE THEM. I have heard of a few breeds that produce much lower amounts of the common allergen, among them Russian Blues. Has anyone experienced hypo-allergenic cats, but not the hairless ones. I want a cat with fur.

 

[kmb584]

I am allergic to cats but I LOVE THEM. I have heard of a few breeds that produce much lower amounts of the common allergen, among them Russian Blues. Has anyone experienced hypo-allergenic cats, but not the hairless ones. I want a cat with fur.

My aunt has a cat allergy and has two Siamese. They don't produce as much dander as other cats and she hasn't had any issues since adopting them 4 years ago. It really all depends on the severity of the allergy.

 

[chirurgeon]

My aunt has a cat allergy and has two Siamese. They don't produce as much dander as other cats and she hasn't had any issues since adopting them 4 years ago. It really all depends on the severity of the allergy.

LOL and my allergic reaction has been much worse with Siamese. My sister has a cat and I haven't had a major reaction at her house. Where when I go to my neighbor's house, I start reacting to their cat after a while. Both these cats are common American tabbies.

 

[EMom]

I have had cats since the day I was born, but sometime during the past ten years or so, I developed a cat allergy. My last cat lived to be nearly 20 and when she got in bed with me, I would frequently have to get out of bed and use a rescue inhaler. Antihistamines were not enough to really deal with the issues. But she was so old that I figured I would suffer through it, and when she died I would just never get another cat.

She passed away and I was MISERABLE without a cat. But I wasn't stupid. They trigger allergies and asthma attacks for me. Every time DD wanted to see a kitten somewhere, my eyed itched and swelled and my nose went crazy.

I decided to look into Siberian cats and someone who owned several was kind enough to let me spend time with them. I had no reaction! He said he had let several people come over and about 20% still had reactions, while 80% were fine. His reactions pre-Siberian were severe and required ER visits.

I went to the breeder's home and stayed for about 90 minutes with all her cats and had no reaction. So we came home with one little angel. I hated to spend that much money on a cat when a shelter cat is just as wonderful, but for me, it was a Siberian or no cat at all. About 18 months later, we got a second Siberian. They have loooooooong fur and I give them lion cuts in the summer, but I still have no reaction. For me, they were a godsend.

They are expensive. Expect $1000-$1500 for a pet quality, spayed/neutered kitten. But they are wonderful for many people with cat allergies. Good luck.

 

[POOHsie]

I have had cats since the day I was born, but sometime during the past ten years or so, I developed a cat allergy. My last cat lived to be nearly 20 and when she got in bed with me, I would frequently have to get out of bed and use a rescue inhaler. Antihistamines were not enough to really deal with the issues. But she was so old that I figured I would suffer through it, and when she died I would just never get another cat.

She passed away and I was MISERABLE without a cat. But I wasn't stupid. They trigger allergies and asthma attacks for me. Every time DD wanted to see a kitten somewhere, my eyed itched and swelled and my nose went crazy.

I decided to look into Siberian cats and someone who owned several was kind enough to let me spend time with them. I had no reaction! He said he had let several people come over and about 20% still had reactions, while 80% were fine. His reactions pre-Siberian were severe and required ER visits.

I went to the breeder's home and stayed for about 90 minutes with all her cats and had no reaction. So we came home with one little angel. I hated to spend that much money on a cat when a shelter cat is just as wonderful, but for me, it was a Siberian or no cat at all. About 18 months later, we got a second Siberian. They have loooooooong fur and I give them lion cuts in the summer, but I still have no reaction. For me, they were a godsend.

They are expensive. Expect $1000-$1500 for a pet quality, spayed/neutered kitten. But they are wonderful for many people with cat allergies. Good luck.

When my tabby cat died at 15, I went to the county shelter and looked around for a new cat, and one caught my eye. She was long haired, kind-of latte colored with a dark bushy tail and a mane on her front. I took her home and as I got to know her, two things struck me. She was very big boned and she chirped from her throat, like "errrrp, errrrp," but she never meowed. I named her Gizmo, bc of her chirping (sounds like a toy robot). After some research online, I concluded that she was a Siberian (who knows if purebred), especially bc of the chirping which was noted in descriptions of the Siberian. She is the nicest, sweetest cat, and I don't have any problem with sneezing or dander. She is also the greatest mouser ever. I was fortunate to find such a wonderful fur-friend.

 

[EMom]

OP, beware of getting a "Russian Blue." There is a BREED called Russian Blue and that is the one some people say causes less allergy issues. Then there are plain old cats (I had one.) who are blue in color and are sold/adopted as Russian Blues. Not the same thing at all. Find a breeder of Russian Blues to see if you are allergic.

 

[bellebud]

Siberian Forest Cats!

We have 2. Got them over a year ago. Not one reaction from my dh, who is very allergic to cats (he can step in someone's front door and know if there's a cat in the house).

I found a breeder an hour away. We spent 2 hours in her house with her 20 adult Siberian Forest cats, and many kittens. They all climbed all over dh, we sat on her furniture (which had a good amount of cat hair on it), etc. Not even the slightest reaction from dh.

The girl we picked was 14 weeks old, and groomed dh's head for an hour straight while we were sitting there. She choose him He couldn't believe it - he could never even pet a cat before. A couple of months later, we got a little boy (who's a big brat and only tolerates us, but we love him anyway. The girl is a huge sweetie pie with everyone).

We paid about $1000 each (maybe $1200 for one). It was pay for a cat, or never have a cat, so it was worth every penny!

The breeder explained that they started importing them from Russia in the 90's, and they're breed by using blood tests to minimize the protein in their blood that people are allergic to. This protein is excreted through a cat's skin and saliva, and becomes airborne and on the fur. So each litter they test, and only breed the lowest protein ones.

One of the vets we use is from Russia, and says it's funny to her, because growing up in Russia, these cats are their 'feral' cats, and are everywhere and super-duper friendly. She was surprised how non-friendly American feral cats can be.

We're so happy with them, and I highly recommend then to everyone asking about allergies. Good luck!

 

[bellebud]

first time I've posted a pic on the boards - hope it works...

 

[chirurgeon]

Thank you. Now I just have to convince Mom, because we share our home, that a cat would be great. Our dog is a senior and has been an only "child" all her life.

 

[POOHsie]

first time I've posted a pic on the boards - hope it works...

Great pic! This looks almost exactly like my Siberian cat, except mine has a darker brown tail. The width of the front and back legs, and the huge paws just amaze me, comparing them to my dear-departed American short-hair cat. Your cat is adorable!

 

[calypso726]

I am highly allergic to cats. I did spend time at a breeder who had the Siberian Forest cats. I had a severe allergic reaction. Then I went to a breeder of the Devon Rex cat breed. She had a bunch of Devons and I had no reaction. My Devon Rex is now 16 years old.

 

[bellebud]

I am highly allergic to cats. I did spend time at a breeder who had the Siberian Forest cats. I had a severe allergic reaction. Then I went to a breeder of the Devon Rex cat breed. She had a bunch of Devons and I had no reaction. My Devon Rex is now 16 years old.

yes! they don't work for everyone. my breeder will mail hair samples to people if you live far away, but for myself, I'd want to go there personally to get a 'full' experience of lots of cats to really be sure.

 

[EMom]

The paws of a Siberian are MASSIVE. My male kitty likes for me to toss food to him, let him catch pieces in his paw like you'd catch it in your hand and then he eats directly from his hand, just like we'd eat something from ours. It is amazing. His other talent is catching cat food pieces in his mouth when I toss them, just as you'd catch a piece of popcorn that someone tossed at you. Needless to say, he is highly food motivated.

 

[bellebud]

The paws of a Siberian are MASSIVE. My male kitty likes for me to toss food to him, let him catch pieces in his paw like you'd catch it in your hand and then he eats directly from his hand, just like we'd eat something from ours. It is amazing. His other talent is catching cat food pieces in his mouth when I toss them, just as you'd catch a piece of popcorn that someone tossed at you. Needless to say, he is highly food motivated.

omg! that's so funny... my girl brings me a little toy (it's a plastic, twisted pony-tail holder) for me to throw to her, and she catches it in her paws, and places it back in front of me to toss again. does yours catch with one paw??

they're so cute, aren't they

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

Our cat was an Ocicat, shorthair cat and was the most beautiful cat ever. My DH is highly allergic and researched a lot to find this breed...no problems with allergies. He was a silver/chocolate with spots. Beautiful!

 

[EMom]

omg! that's so funny... my girl brings me a little toy (it's a plastic, twisted pony-tail holder) for me to throw to her, and she catches it in her paws, and places it back in front of me to toss again. does yours catch with one paw??

they're so cute, aren't they

He will catch with one paw or two....whatever works. So long as he gets food. He's all about food and is otherwise fairly lazy.

The female is the one who plays with toys. She will bring us toys to toss for her. Her very favorite toy is a rubber bracelet. You know the LIVESTRONG type that have sayings on them? She loves those. She will actually toss it in the air so SHE can catch it. Then she leaves them in her food bowl. She loves for us to toss them so she can catch them, over and over.

She also seems to love jewelry, because she steals any bracelets and necklaces she can.

The other thing that has been hard to get used to is how QUIET this breed is. They don't or can't yowl loudly like some other breeds. If one gets locked in a closet, you'll never hear them meow to be let out. The female trills and squeaks, but doesn't meow. The male was almost mute until he reached a year old. Then he started making some sounds. Mainly, he likes to chatter at outside varmints.

 

[goofy4tink]

My aunt has a cat allergy and has two Siamese. They don't produce as much dander as other cats and she hasn't had any issues since adopting them 4 years ago. It really all depends on the severity of the allergy.

Me too! I always had cats when growing up. Then I moved away to go to school. A room-mate brought in a Siamese cat. Oh dear!!! Allergies started up within a week. Fast forward many, many years.....I had multiple cats in the house. I could pet them, but couldn't put my hands in my eyes without washing them first. Or if I got scratched, it itched like crazy. But no regular allergy issues. Then, I cat sat my brothers Siamese.....that cat licked my face one morning...huge welts wherever his tongue had been!!!

 

[Minnie_me]

My daughters and I are allergic to cats. And yet, my brother gave my older daughter a kitten for Christmas when she was 5. That cat is now almost 12 years old, and none of us has ever had a reaction to her! She is a beautiful Lilac Point Siamese, purebred.

When we visit friends with cats, we become absolute messes: runny noses, constant sneezing, itchy eyes, itchy skin, etc. When we visit my brother, who has our kitty's sister and brother, we are fine.

People may tell you that it's a myth that Siamese cats are hypoallergenic, but it's worked for us! Our kitty even sleeps with all 3 of us (she takes turns, lol). And she sleeps UNDER THE COVERS with my older daughter, and she's the one with the worst allergies.

Good luck!

 

[Lanshark]

I have three Maine Coons. One friend that has allergies is fine with them. The other has issues