If get a Persian Cat, will I still have cat allergies even if I am allergic to cats?
Animal Luver who is ecoGreen! asked:
I am allergic to cats, and I read that Persian Cats will not cause allergies even if you have cat allergies. Is this true? If not, what cat doesn’t cause allergies?
I also read that Siberian Cats will not cause allergies, or in other words are non-allergetic.
Is this also true?
This entry was posted
on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 12:00 am and is filed under Cats.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
I am allergic to cats, and I read that Persian Cats will not cause allergies even if you have cat allergies. Is this true? If not, what cat doesn’t cause allergies?
I also read that Siberian Cats will not cause allergies, or in other words are non-allergetic.
Is this also true?
January 11th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
I am extremely allergic to domestic short haired cats. For some reason the persian breed does not bother me!! I found this out years ago when I happened to be around a friends persian, I could’nt resist petting him. I am the very proud owner of a beautiful solid black persian….he is great!! I would test it out first before you get one. Try being around one of someone who owns one, or go to an animal shelter. You may be able to adopt!! That’s how I got “Bear”. Not too sure why this is….persians do have a different kind of fur though. Just make sure you brush daily, as they can get mats pretty easily and can get painful as they pull skin. Good luck!!!!!!
alihazelnut
January 13th, 2010 at 12:02 am
It is the dander of cats that most people are allergic to, not the hair itself. This is why some people who are allergic to cats are still allergic to hairless breeds, like the Sphynx - which is often incorrectly assumed to be “allergen-free”.
You would do well to visit a breeder of Persians before getting one to decide if you’re allergic or not. Good luck! Arrogant Cat
January 15th, 2010 at 11:42 pm
I don’t know about allergies but I do know that Persians are a really high maintenance breed, requiring daily brushing and cleaning of their teeth and face and weekly baths (at least!). Is it possible that the frequent baths are what is helping your allergies? So, in theory, any cat bathed frequently will not cause you to have a reaction? NinaMind
January 16th, 2010 at 10:59 am
I have heard that it’s only the black persians that are good if you have allergies. I don’t know why this is, perhaps this could explain why some say persians are good for allergies, and others say they are bad. This is what my friend told me who has a black persian cat. llamab17
January 18th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Allergies are caused by the cat’s saliva, the allergens. Any cat will have you reacting if you have allergies to them.
Unless you visit an allergy specialist and get the shots, or some of the new updates, I think you’re fairly out of luck. Elaine M
January 21st, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Where did you hear that about the Persian? Because it’s not the least bit true. They’re no more hypoallergenic than any other breed - or cat of no particular breed. Siberian breeders CLAIM their cats are less allergenic than other breeds but this hasn’t been proven. Siberians START at about $1,000. Are you ready to pay that for a cat that you still might react to?
The Persian is a LOT of work. Are you really dedicated enough to comb a cat’s coat at least EVERY OTHER DAY ALL YEAR LONG? If not, their coats mat. Because they’re so high maintenance they’re sadly one of the breeds most often dumped at shelters. Wonderful, sweet, loving, friendly cats but a LOT of work. I have one that I adopted when he was 2 1/2 years old.
Have you tried allergy meds? I’m allergic to one of my four cats and take Allegra D and I’m fine.
edit: Nina - Persians should NEVER be brushed. Brushes do little to remove the loose hairs of the undercoat and can rip out and break topcoat hairs. They need to be COMBED. And they don’t need weekly baths and don’t need any more attention to their teeth than other breeds. Happy Mew Year!