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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Cats for those with allergies?

28 replies

Koalafications · 12/04/2015 19:39

I've had cats my whole life but since moving out of my mums, nearly 10 years ago I seem to have developed an allergy to her cat (and others) I'm also allergic to short haired dogs.

I would love to have a cat, but I don't know if there are any breeds that are suitable for those with allergies? My mum has a black moggy.

We have a dog (who is more cat than dog, to be fair) and isn't keen on other dogs but absolutely loves cats.

Does anyone know about a breed of cat that maybe suitable for those with allergies? I have read that Korat cats are suitable for those with allergies.

OP posts:
jeanswithatwist · 12/04/2015 22:10

Fwiw I have been allergic to cats all my life but took in a stray a few years ago because it was desperate a few winters ago. Weirdly enough I was fine with her, as long as I washed my hands before touching my eyes. Then I read that long haired females are good for allergy sufferers. Last week we got another long haired female as other cat died. I had been worried that I might be allergic to her as it may have been a coincidence that I WS fine the first time round. Fingers crossed, I am fine thus time too Smile but still definitely allergic to shirt haired cars. Best of luck. Can't imagine life without a cat in our home, love it to bits

Qwebec · 12/04/2015 23:54

As jeans said you can get used to a cat, I've met people who were able to get used to a cat, but I also met people who resigned themselves to take anti-histaminics (?) daily.

Some people are less reactive to bengals, but same here it is a hit and miss.
Have you tried a desenstivity treatement? They worked wonders for me and my DP.
Excuse awful spelling I'm too tired to check.

bruffin · 13/04/2015 00:00

Both dh and ds are allergic to cats but have no problem with our rescue cat. They get used to her and dh makes sure he doesnt touch his face.
I think Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest cats are supposed to be good for allergies but they are huge

Clobbered · 13/04/2015 00:24

Rex cats can be good too - they lack the outer guard hairs and shed very little. However some people are allergic to their dander (greasy stuff produced by skin).
I grew up with cats and was fine until I left home but started reacting to the cats when I went home. Many years later I have three Devon Rexes and I'm fine with them

sashh · 13/04/2015 06:13

You can also be 'desensitised'. I have no idea how much it costs but I have encountered two vets with cat allergies who have had treatment because, well being a vet you can't really avoid cats.

claraschu · 13/04/2015 06:19

We have a cat who is half Norwegian Forest, and is long haired and female. She is not huge, and she definitely affects people with allergies less than our previous cats. Try googling about these gorgeous cats.

RubbishMantra · 13/04/2015 11:26

As well as Devon Rexes being less likely to cause an allergic reaction, they're bloody mental! They're very, gregarious, shall we say and will keep you entertained.

And they look like aliens. Grin

Cats for those with allergies?
Original poster
Koalafications · 13/04/2015 11:38

Thank you all for your posts. DH would love a Maine Coon cat so he will be thrilled with that suggestion!

I would really like a rescue cat but I'm not sure that many rescue centres would be too happy with us having a dog. Does anyone know if it would be a problem?

OP posts:
Original poster
Koalafications · 13/04/2015 11:40

Your cat is adorable RubbishMantra Envy

OP posts:
RubbishMantra · 13/04/2015 12:25

Thank you Grin

Meant to say in my other post, a decent breeder will let you come round and spend some time with their cats, to see if you have a reaction.

Original poster
Koalafications · 13/04/2015 19:09

clarashu I've just looked up Norwegian Forest cats they look very similar to Maine Coons, they are gorgeous.

OP posts:
MrsSchadenfreude · 13/04/2015 19:13

Don't get a hairless one, they are absolutely the worst for allergy sufferers. I would second the long haired monsters. We have two.

poisonedbypen · 13/04/2015 19:20

The allergy isn't to the hair, it's to the dander which is basically dried saliva - it's microscopic, that's why it gets in your lungs, nose etc. My DS& are are allergic to cats for a few weeks when we get them & we have to avoid touching our eyes.

RubbishMantra · 13/04/2015 19:26

Blimey, MrsShadenfreude. Always thought the opposite.

Maybe because the tiny fibre-ish hairs of the less hairy breeds get up the nasals more? Make people more sneezy?

Original poster
Koalafications · 13/04/2015 19:55

Ah, thanks for that MrsSchadenfreude. I'm not allergic to long haired dogs but I am allergic to short haired dogs so maybe it would be the same with cats.

Do you have to groom your long haired cats a lot?

Although, Korats are short haired and apparently good for allergies.

OP posts:
Original poster
Koalafications · 13/04/2015 19:56

Yes, poisionedpen that is what my GP said, too.

OP posts:
Orangeanddemons · 13/04/2015 20:07

How do you lot become unallergic?

I'm allergic to all animals and it sucks. I love animals, but they all make me wheeze, itch etc, and antihistamines do sweet fa.

I've recently bought some rabbits, because is thought as they lived outdoors, I would be fine. I'm allergic to them as wellSad, and I bloody love them to bits. It really pisses me offSad

Loveleopardprint · 13/04/2015 20:13

I have a russian blue which is supposed to be less likely to cause allergies. I am still allergic to him but not as allergic as I was to my Persian cat. So probably wouldn't go for either of those breeds.

Loveleopardprint · 13/04/2015 20:14

Not allergic to my Cavapoo dog though.

Original poster
Koalafications · 13/04/2015 20:23

Thank you loveleopardprint I'll tick those breeds off my list, then.

OP posts:
OneFlewOverTheDodosNest · 13/04/2015 20:33

We've got Siberian cats which are supposed to be good for allergies. DP is not as bad with them as with others but still gets stuffy occasionally. You can go to breeders and do allergy testing if you want to be sure.

claraschu · 13/04/2015 22:05

There are a few different allergens, so it depends which one you are sensitive to. Siberian cats don't have the allergen which affects 60% of allergic people, so they will still bother you if you are in the other 40%.

This is my vague memory from reading up about it 5 years ago; have you googled for more precise info?

sashh · 14/04/2015 05:38

I would really like a rescue cat but I'm not sure that many rescue centres would be too happy with us having a dog. Does anyone know if it would be a problem?

click the link, put in your postcode and tick the box 'can live with dogs'

www.cats.org.uk/

The rest of you step away from the link now, I'm not going to be blamed again

HellKitty · 14/04/2015 05:54

DP has a cat allergy. He had cats with his ex, then a few years without then met me. He'd sneeze and his eyes would get itchy and any scratch would get inflamed but he insisted he'd get 'immune' to them. Which he did. He has no bother now. His sister was even worse and would be full on eyes streaming and sneezing if she came in. She's got herself a kitten now and is fine.

Some allergies are a lot more serious though. Dp sold his car a couple of years ago, the cats were never in it but there must have been fur from his jacket on the seats despite him cleaning it, we didn't live together then so it wouldn't have even been much fur. The new owner asked about cats as his wife got in and immediately started sneezing. DP had to pay for a full valet Grin

BagelwithButter · 14/04/2015 08:20

And, for anyone in the SE, I found these lovely, senior cats last night!

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