Is it possible to have a hypoallergenic moggy?!

[Oscha]

DH is allergic to cats. It’s minor-he gets a runny nose and itchy eyes, and when I’m feeling uncharitable I refer to it as his ‘allergy,’ but it is real, and I know it’s my fifteen years of being cat-less making me annoyed and mean!

Someone suggested we could get a hypoallergenic breed such as a Russian Blue, which I hadn’t really realised was a possibility. However, for various reasons, I’d rather not buy a breed. Just in case I’m missing something else obvious, the very nature of a moggy means it’s not going to be possible to find a hypoallergenic one, right? Is there any other way I can get around this and reintroduce a cat to my life?

(Short of ditching DH, who is very lovely when he’s not being annoyingly sniffly around the superior species 😉)

My first thought was a sphinx, but they're an acquired taste for sure. They actually have a silky feel other than skin feel.

DH & I both have allergies and so do two of our children.

This is the third cat we have adopted and each time we have visited the cat first to see if we were allergic.

When you find a cat that might be a suitable match, he meets them and spends time in close proximity. If it's a shelter with zillions of cats, the cat might have to be brought to him in a separate room, to rule out reactions to other cats in the shelter.

Wait to see if he gets a reaction. If he doesn't, adopt the cat (assuming the match is otherwise suitable). If he does, wait a week and then try with another cat.

No

No; sphinx cats can still cause reactions; it's not the fur people are allergic to but a substance in their saliva. Sphinx cants still groom themselves so can still cause reactions.
OP as I understand it even within a breed there is no guarantee that a particular animal would not cause a reaction.

If he gets a reaction with a short-hair, then next time try a long-hair (or vice versa).

Oh ok moggle I didn't know that.

I have a Siberian Forest Cat. They are supposedly low on the allergen scale.

This article has some good tips.

It is possible to desensitise over time. My allergy (dander) was pretty severe, triggered asthma attacks and a general wheezy streaming mess, but I wasn't giving him up and over time my symptoms have gone to pretty much nothing. I have developed hay fever in the meantime though!

I'm allergic to my cats. If their fur goes anywhere near my eyes, they get itchy, watery, and my nose gets runny and bunged up. I'm very careful not to let their fur get near my face and make sure my hands are clear of fur before I touch my face. I'm not affected by their fur floating in the air or on the furniture. I've had short and longhaired cats for 30'ish years. Good luck.

I read about some stuff you could put on your cat's fur to lessen the allergic reaction. It was well rated and not at all harmful to the animal. I think it was this (see reviews):

www.allersafe.co.uk/bio-life-petal-cleanse-cat-cleanser/p12#tdesc_6

We have had 3 rescue orientals - DH isn't allergic to them

No idea why

PS I am also allergic to my cats BUT it has faded since we got them. I exposed myself to handling them slowly and didn't have them in the sitting room the first few weeks - don't have them on my bed. I am fine with them now and can handle them with no problems. I was considering the Petal Cleanse stuff but haven't needed it.

It’s minor-he gets a runny nose and itchy eyes

sounds pretty miserable to me tbh.

don't do it, would be unfair on the cat when you have to rehome it.

Yes, but they are really hard to identify. I don't react to my neighbour's moggy, when in most other houses with cats, I end up sneezing for most of any visit. I've stroked this particular cat on my lap for half an hour at a time with no ill effects.

No. There's no such thing as hypoallergenic cats.
People can be allergic to the fur or saliva etc.
I'm allergic to one of our two sisters. Had cats most of my over 40 years and never reacted before.
Yes your sensitivity can decrease but it can also escalate and get much worse. I wouldn't risk it. What if you have to rehome the cat as he cant breathe?

different people are allergic to different things. My friend couldn't cope at all in my house when I had a short haired moggy. Eyes streamed and non stop sneezing as soon as she came in. My husband couldn't sit on the sofa the cat Sat on. Both are absolutely fine with our very fluffy ragdoll. We rehomed her and were able to spend some time with her before we brought her home. It may be worth looking at specific breed rescue centres or consider giving an ex breeding cat a cuddly home. So you can spend some time with them to see how badly he reacts.

To those who mentioned re-homing, that’s exactly what I want to avoid 😣 (Both DH and any potential cat 😉) I don’t want to bring a cat in in hopes he desentises and then find it doesn’t happen.

Trying him out around a long haired cat at a shelter is a good idea though, as so far it’s been short haired that he’s reacted to-I didn’t realise it might be different...

Off to read the links now, thank you all!

One of my dns is ok with his long hair but reacts badly to our Bengal.

Dh is allergic but he got used to him, if he touches the cat and rubs his eyes he still reacts.

Glad I saw this thread as I'm in the same position OP, would love a cat but DH allergic