Cats are wonderful pets, however for the roughly 15% of people who are allergic to cats, adopting a sweet kitty into the home could be a real challenge - but perhaps not an impossible one! Many people wonder, "Can I Have a Cat if I'm Allergic? "
Table of Contents
- What Are the Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction to Cats?
- What Causes Cat Allergies?
- How Do I Reduce the Allergens from my Cat in my Home?
- What are the Best Cat Breeds for People With Allergies?
- 1. Sphinx
- 2. LaPerm
- 3. Cornish Rex
- 4. Devon Rex
- 5. Javanese
- 6. Oriental Shorthair
- 7. Russian Blue
- 8. Balinese
- 9. Siberian
- 10. Bengal
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What Are the Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction to Cats?
If you're allergic to cats, and wondering, "Can I Have a Cat if I'm Allergic?" you might notice some of these symptoms pretty quickly—sometimes within minutes, or it could take a few hours:
- A runny nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Trouble breathing
- Hives or a rash
For some people, cat allergies can be more serious, like causing asthma attacks, very low blood pressure, or even something called anaphylactic shock. But don’t worry—these severe reactions aren’t very common. Even if you’ve had a cat for a long time, you could still develop new symptoms,
Cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies. If you have a reaction to cats, but still dream of having a kitty, don’t give up hope. The key is figuring out what’s triggering your reaction—and guess what? It’s not the fur!
What Causes Cat Allergies?
If you’re allergic to cats, your body reacts to a protein found in their saliva, skin, and urine. When cats lick themselves, this protein gets on their fur, and as they shed, tiny flakes of skin (called dander) spread everywhere—onto walls, carpets, furniture, and even into the air. These flakes can stick around for a long time, even after the cat is no longer in the house.
A cat’s lick or scratch can make your skin itchy or cause red, raised spots called welts. If the protein gets into your nose or lungs, it can lead to sneezing, watery eyes, a stuffy nose, or even asthma symptoms. Your immune system also plays a big part.
Allergies happen when your body thinks something harmless—like cat dander—is dangerous. Your immune system tries to “fight it off,” which is what causes those allergy symptoms. Not everyone reacts the same way. Some people with cat allergies can hold a cat and feel fine, while others might have an asthma attack just by standing near someone who has cat dander on their clothes. It all depends on how sensitive your immune system is!
How Do I Reduce the Allergens from my Cat in my Home?
If you’re allergic to cats, there are ways to manage it so you can still enjoy their company.
Here are some tips:
- Keep Things Clean: Groom your cat regularly to reduce the amount of dander they produce. Also, clean areas where your cat spends a lot of time, like their favorite chair, sofa, or around the litter box.
- Keep the Skin in it's Best Health: Try BestLife4Pets Healthy Coat and Skin Remedy. It is specially formulated to alleviate inflammation and irritatation that leads to excessive skin flaking and shedding, which reduces the dander.
- Consider a Hypoallergenic Cat: Some cats may cause fewer allergy symptoms. Scientists aren’t exactly sure why, but it could be because these cats produce less of the protein in their saliva, skin, or dander that triggers allergies. However, it’s important to know that all cats make this allergen to some degree, and even small amounts can cause symptoms if you’re sensitive or if your house isn’t kept clean.
- Find the Right Cat for You: Some people find they react differently to certain breeds or even coat colors. For example, you might do fine with a domestic shorthair but not an oriental breed—or maybe you can pet a white cat but start sneezing around a black one. Many people with allergies report that Siberian cats cause fewer problems for them.
- Adopt a Kitten: kittens may cause fewer allergy symptoms as they produce less allergen for the first 14-15 weeks of life, allowing those with mild allergies to slowly adjust.
- Feed Your Cat Eggs: Eggs are a great and healthy addition to your cat’s meals, and chickens that live alongside cats naturally make eggs that have a natural “antidote” to cat allergies! It is important to note that the cats must have the eggs from these specific chickens, and studies have shown that after 12 weeks the cats produce less allergens. There are commercial cat foods containing eggs with IgY, and it is also available in powder form.
What are the Best Cat Breeds for People With Allergies?
There are several cat breeds considered to be hypoallergenic. Before taking home a new furry friend, it is definitely smart to spend some time with the cat breed you are thinking of adopting, and if possible take home a blanket they have laid on to see if you have symptoms.
Chosing to adopt a pet is an important commitment, so be sure to take the time to be sure you will be able to live with your new pet.
1. Sphinx
The Sphynx cat is famous for being hairless, which gives it a unique look. Since it doesn’t have fur, the proteins in its saliva (the ones that can cause allergies) don’t have anywhere to stick like they would on a furry cat.
2. LaPerm
The LaPerm cat has a special curly coat that might help keep dander from spreading all over your home. Lots of people with allergies find they can live happily with LaPerms!
3. Cornish Rex
Most cats have three layers of fur: the top "guard" hair, the middle "awn" hair, and the bottom "down" hair. But the Cornish Rex only has the soft bottom layer of down hair. This makes them super soft, and because they have less hair, they shed much less. That means they’re less likely to cause an allergic reaction!
4. Devon Rex
The Devon Rex has the same type of fur as the Cornish Rex, with only the soft down hair that makes up most cats' undercoats. But the Devon Rex has even less hair than the Cornish Rex and sheds very little. This makes them less likely to cause an allergic reaction, just like the Cornish Rex!
5. Javanese
Javanese cats are different because they only have one layer of fur instead of the usual three that most cats have. Unlike the Cornish and Devon Rexes, which have just the soft undercoat, the Javanese only have a top coat. This means they shed less and spread less dander around your home!
6. Oriental Shorthair
Oriental Shorthairs have a short, silky coat and don’t shed much. To keep things even better, brush your Oriental Shorthair regularly. This helps remove loose hairs and cuts down on how much they shed!
7. Russian Blue
Russian Blues might not have a special coat that makes them hypoallergenic, but they do make less Fel d 1—the protein in their skin that many people with allergies react to.
8. Balinese
Similar to the Russian Blue, the Balinese cat produces less Fel d 1 which means that they are less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
9. Siberian
This might surprise you… Even though Siberian cats have long, beautiful fur, they’re actually not as bad for allergy sufferers as you might think! Like the Russian Blue and Balinese, Siberians produce less of the Fel d 1 protein in their skin, which is what many people with allergies react to. So, they’re considered hypoallergenic!
10. Bengal
Many breeders and owners say that Bengals are hypoallergenic. While there's no proof that they produce less Fel d 1 protein, some people believe they cause fewer allergic reactions because their short, pelt-like coat sheds much less hair than other cats.
So if you have every wondered, "Can I Have a Cat if I'm Allergic?", with careful planning and care for your cat, it is possible. Take the time to adopt a cat that’s easier on allergies, and stay committed to maintaining your cat's skin health with BestLife4Pets Healthy Coat and Skin Remedy, regular brushing and grooming, and a balanced healthy diet. Keep the home as clean and dander free as possible to reduce allergens, as even the hypoallergenic cats still shed a bit.
Adopting a new kitty into your heart and home is a big commitment, so take the time to consider carefully how to best conquer the allergies, and still grow your family by 4 feet!
