If the nose runs, the eyes water or the skin itches when a cat is around, then not so unusual a cat allergy is responsible for it. How you can still keep a cat, you can learn here.
What is a cat allergy?
The saliva, blood serum and urine of a cat contain allergens that cause allergies in certain people. Especially when a cat licks its fur clean, the allergens are spread in the apartment with the fallen hair. Especially the allergen Fel d 1, a protein, has very good floating properties, so that it spreads quickly through the air. As a trigger for a cat allergy, it is sufficient if a cat was in the vicinity some time ago and left hair or saliva. The allergen can stay in the air for several hours.
What are the symptoms of allergy to cats?
- watery, reddened and itchy eyes
- Runny nose
- Sneezing attacks
- in severe cases develop shortness of breath/asthma
- itching with wheals on the skin after direct contact with the cat
Is cat allergy curable?
No, a cat allergy is currently not curable. However, hyposensitization with the allergen can make the symptoms less severe. In many cases, the only option is to give the beloved cat away so that allergic asthma or other life-threatening conditions do not develop from the cat allergy.
Buy Allergy Cats
Some cat breeds produce a lower amount of the allergen Fel d 1 than other cat breeds. They may be suitable for cat allergy sufferers, but they do not have to be. There is no guarantee that a cat will not cause allergy. Therefore, before buying the cat should be visited extensively at the breeder to test whether there is an allergic reaction. This is better than returning the cat after a short time. In advance it can be determined in the laboratory via the saliva of the cat, how high the percentage of the protein Fel d 1 is in the cat. Female cats and neutered males produce less Fel d 1 than male and female un-neutered animals.
Which cat breeds are suitable for allergy cats?
Bengal cat sheds less hair than other cat breeds and therefore could be suitable for allergy sufferers. If you buy this allergy cat, choose a cat playful throughout its lifetime. Bengal cats are very independent and need lots of climbing opportunities. As their coat pattern suggests, the Bengal cat is descended from the Asian leopard cat. Most of the Bengal cats closely follow their owners.
Burmese cat has a short coat, which loses only a few hairs, if you want to buy such an allergy cat. Burmese cats are compact heavy cats with a shiny coat, noticeably large ears and yellow eyes. They are considered to be social, bundles of energy and they bond closely with their owners.
Oriental Shorthair is similar in appearance and character to the Siamese cat, from which this cat breed is descended. However, its ears are larger and it expresses itself less vociferously than a talkative Siamese cat. The allergy cat Oriental Shorthair is considered to be affectionate and kind. It can open room doors and drawers without any problems. Curiosity, intelligence, the need for cuddles and above-average employment opportunities make the Oriental Shorthair a cat that is not suitable for beginners.
Rex cats produce less Fel d 1. They can have a short or a fluffy coat and are considered ideal cats for home and family, because they are very affectionate and playful. Rex cats directly seek human proximity and do not like to be left alone. Especially noticeable are the oversized ears.
The Russian Blue cat produces less Fel d 1 and its double coat holds allergens to the skin better than other cat breeds do. Their coat is dark and their eyes are green. The Russian Blue is considered friendly, affectionate and intelligent. If strangers visit, the cat is rather shy.
Also a Siamese cat comes into the selection, if you want to buy an allergy cat. The elegant cat impresses with velvety fur, which is darker on the face than on the body. Their eyes are blue. Siamese cats are extroverted and make their mood known through various sounds. They feel comfortable only in company and therefore should not be kept alone.
The Siberian cat produces less Fel d 1. The medium-sized cat is originally from Siberia and is therefore equipped with a soft fur and fur tufts between the toes that facilitates walking in the snow. Her character is gentle and she needs many opportunities for activity. Due to its social nature, the Siberian cat should be kept with other cats as an allergy cat. Unlike many cat breeds, the Siberian cat loves water and can spend a long time with a dripping faucet.
The Sphinx belongs to the naked cats. It has no fur, but therefore does not produce less Fel d 1. Especially if you are allergic only to cat fur hair, it makes sense to buy these allergy cats. Their skin is soft and the physique is graceful. Sphinx cats are considered to be very affectionate and loving. They are smart and their owner always has to come up with new games to keep the cat challenged. Because the Sphinx has no fur, the cat must not get cold, because it needs a lot of warmth.
What else can people allergic to cats do?
Create cat-free zones in the apartment despite allergy cat. The bedroom should also be off limits for allergy cats. Do not use carpets and damp mop the floor more often. Special air purifiers can filter allergens from the air.