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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

TO wonder if you really can and get hypoallergenic/ low allergy cats?

34 replies

Cloud9Until6am · 18/04/2018 11:29

Or is it just a con? I want a pet around the house. DH doesn't want a dog and I'm allergic to cats (itchy eyes, sneezing, skin reaction etc).

If we got a 'non allergenic' cat breed (I.e. Bengal) would I really Not be allergic???

OP posts:
steff13 · 18/04/2018 11:31

Hairless?

KatyMac · 18/04/2018 11:32

DD & DH aren't allergic to Siamese cats but are allergic to moggies

But we have met people also allergic to our Siamese

SaucyJane · 18/04/2018 11:32

There used to be a company that claimed to sell hypoallergenic cats from selective breeding (no dander) for about £5k a kitten - apparently it was a bit of a con.

I think it depends on your allergies. Some people get used to it. My cat allergy is just too severe sadly, and that includes bengals. Shame as I'd absolutely love a cat :(

Original poster
Cloud9Until6am · 18/04/2018 12:11

steff they look so ugly I don't think I could have one!

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 18/04/2018 12:16

I’ve had people in my house who didn’t react to my Siamese but did to my moggy.

If you’re looking at pedigrees though, the breeder should be fine with you visiting to see if you react or not.

MrsCharlesBrandon · 18/04/2018 12:18

The Cornish and Devon rex are supposed to be hypoallergenic, They only have the crinkly undercoat and so don't shed. Bit like a poodle!

TheDuchessofDukeStreet · 18/04/2018 12:24

I’m allergic to moggies. But we look after an Arabian mau and I’m fine with him.

ferretface · 18/04/2018 12:24

Our Siberian is pretty low (not zero) allergen, that was the basis for choosing the breed rather than a moggy as my husband is quite badly allergic. Our cat does shed a lot (unsurprising given he is basically a giant puffball) but it's apparently the FelD1 in their saliva that causes the allergy not the hair itself. The level does vary by individual cat but visiting a breeder should give an idea of whether there's likely to be a problematic reaction.

LeighaJ · 18/04/2018 12:33

One of these cuties?

TO wonder if you really can and get hypoallergenic/ low allergy cats?
adaline · 18/04/2018 12:40

I think it's completely dependent on the cat - it's just random.

My mum was allergic to my previous two cats, but is fine with the current ones. One is part Maine Coon (one of the current ones) but the other three are/were moggies.

SaucyJane · 18/04/2018 12:49

Yep, it's a protein in the saliva that dries into a powder on the coat when they wash, which is why people assume it's the hair causing the reaction, apparently. We had a moggy when I was a child - she adopted us from next door as they'd got a new kitten and she hated her! - and none of us were allergic to her. She must have been one of the random cats that simply didn't make much of that protein. But so far 35 years later, she's proven to be a one off for me 😭😭😭

That's why you can still be allergic to the hairless cats, apparently, not that I've tested it myself!

Piffle11 · 18/04/2018 12:54

The thing I've found with cat allergies is that they don't always appear straight away. I've been around cats and had a severe reaction within an hour, but others it's not really become apparent for months. A stray cat has adopted us and I thought I was ok, but after several months the itching and sneezing started. He tends to be outside more than inside during the summer, so hopefully I'll have a few months respite soon!

tessica2 · 18/04/2018 12:58

My husband is allergic to cats (asthma and itchy face, red patches on skin) and we now have four Siberian cats, we did have to visit them a few times and when they were small visited again (the owner said that different Siberian's have different levels of fed1-the thing that creates allergies in the dander)

We now have four and he is fine with them which is great as I thought we'd never have pets! Definitely worth looking into or contacting a few people to see if you can visit their cats/check reactions :)

CardinalSin · 18/04/2018 12:58

I think it just depends on your particular allergies. Any breeder will let you come and spend time to see how you react.

This is, apparently, a guide to the less allergic breeds.

missbonita · 18/04/2018 13:00

We have 2 Siberians that were checked for dander production as DH is allergic. My Dad is still allergic to them but he has an allergy to all animal hair (dog, cat, horse, cattle - absolutely all animals)

essex42 · 18/04/2018 13:01

Not sure but I am very allergic to cats and I take a 24 hour tablet every day. Loratadine. Works like a dream.

SolemnlySwear2010 · 18/04/2018 13:01

I am allergic to most animals - dogs,cats, hamsters,guinea pigs etc.

Whenever i visit people with pets i get itchy eyes, blotchy skin and my asthma starts up.

We have just adopted a cat from a rescue centre and i have been completely fine Shock. No idea what the difference is between him and others but i am just not having the same reaction.

I think he is part Maine Coon if that helps

Oiorpata · 18/04/2018 14:29

Cat dander (skin cells) contain high levels of allergens, so even if you get a completely hairless cat you would need to vacuum and dust constantly, and take hay fever and asthma medicine if you wanted to cuddle them.

MiniLeopardInTheHouse · 18/04/2018 16:05

Just wondering if you are the same OP who asked a question over in Litter Tray yesterday about Bengal kittens and asthma? If not, it might be worth you taking a look at the 3 current replies.

Original poster
Cloud9Until6am · 18/04/2018 17:09

It sounds really hit and miss - think I'll have to find a breeder who'll let me hang out with their cats for a while Grin

I'm not the same op but I'll check out the other other thread - thanks!

I'd heard it was the protein in their saliva but it seems to be a combo of breeds with low protein in their saliva and short haired ones that are considered 'hypoallergenic' Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
Cloud9Until6am · 18/04/2018 17:11

piffle that's what I'm worried about - getting a cat and then realising a few weeks down the line that I'm allergic

OP posts:
SpoilsburyToastGirl · 18/04/2018 17:14

My DH is asthmatic and allergic to cats, we have a gorgeous Russian Blue who he doesn’t react to.

SpoilsburyToastGirl · 18/04/2018 17:15

According to the inter webs...

Russian Blue Is a Hypoallergenic Cat. But it is not only the coat of the Russian blue that makes it good from an allergies perspective. There is evidence that Russian blues produce less of the glycoprotein Fel d 1 which is as we've said is one of the most common allergens of cats.

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 18/04/2018 17:18

I'm allergic to most cats, dogs, and horses. However we when visited a Siberian breeder, I had almost no reaction.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 18/04/2018 17:22

I was allergic to cats but went ahead and got a couple anyway. Allergy settled right down, no problems at all. Until I had an allergy-induced asthma attack completely out of the blue one night when I was home alone, and honestly thought I was going to die. We ended up having to rehome the cats which obviously broke my heart, and then I became hyper-allergic for a couple of years, couldn't even look at one. I'm much better now and can control with lotradine, but I'd never have a cat again.

(Sorry. Not a positive tale)

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