If you are allergic to cats, are you likely to be allergic to chinchillas?

[PanicPants]

However, I'm not allergic to dogs (not sure why cats and not dogs!).

So we have been thinking about chinchillas and one of my concerns is that I may be allergic to the fur (I'm thinking it looks quite similiar to cat fur)

Any ideas? TIA

shameless bump!

Hi
I am allergic to cats also and we have chinchillas. I have never had any problems with them so think that you would be fine.
Their fur is very soft and is supposed to be fine for people with allergies. They do not moult and their fur is extremely dense.

You mean you don't want one of these?

hairless cat

I think I'm right in saying that cat allergy is normally triggered by the guard hairs on a cat -these are the softer, finer hairs underneath the main coat which might be why you're not allergic to dogs (and hopefully not chinchillas)

It's not the fur you're allergic to, it's the proteins, oils, saliva, urine and / or mites on the fur. The look of the fur is irrelevant.

Oh, what a shame. You can't get that lovely hairless cat either

Ignore my last post - a quick google reveals that I was talking out of my ar$e

Its the cats saliva thats the problem

Bella - oh nooooooooooooo!

You want a non-slobbering cat, then. Let me have quick google

You wouldn't want my dribbling old moggy cat then -shes dribbles like crazy when she purrs

Definitely not this chappie either

here

I quite like the hairless one, actually. Imagine the fun you could have knitting little ensembles for him. Bonnets for the winter and everything!

Like this Bella?

or this?

LOL Norbert: I couldn't get the second one to work but the first one is fantastic

Pmsl bella, you have far too much time on your hands!
And you NDsangle

I think its also to do with amount of wine consumed this evening

Yes, off for a sobering cuppa now. Night all!

PS Hairless cat - get yer jammies on

No, says hairless cat. I wanna stay up and watch the rest of the movie!

here

I'm a little tired too

You have these at home don't you. You're dressing them up and then posting the piccies

Yes. So?

You could complile a calender and make tons of cash for Christmas.

Should I put my own piccie on there too?

here

This is me -as you can see I don't like to be completely hairless