{"id":82,"date":"2021-08-05T16:31:08","date_gmt":"2021-08-05T16:31:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/?p=82"},"modified":"2025-10-01T20:44:28","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T20:44:28","slug":"hypoallergenic-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/deep-dives\/hypoallergenic-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Hypoallergenic Cats – Do They Exist?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Allergies to cats, what a troubling issue! It has been a growing concern in terms of public health, as it affects 7 to 25% of the world’s population… Making it the most common mammalian-origin allergy in human beings. Whether it\u2019s a mild runny nose or a severe asthma attack, the truth is that everyone who presents these signs after being exposed to a cat allergen has an over-sensitive immune system. Now imagine how emotionally demanding it must be for those who not only have to deal with the symptoms, but also with the fact that leaving their cat behind might be the only effective solution. But what about hypoallergenic cats<\/strong>? Is there such a thing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, there is currently a high focus on figuring out a way to overcome the allergy issue… Since veterinarians and researchers have come to the conclusion that unlike hypoallergenic dogs<\/a>, hypoallergenic cat breeds do not really exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do cats have that makes us sneeze?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Among the eight proteins already identified as cat allergens, Fel d 1 is responsible for up to 96% of human sensitization to cats. It’s mainly produced in the sublingual and sebaceous glands. This makes it easy for the protein to be spread throughout the cat\u2019s skin and hair during grooming, and into the environment when the cat sheds. Anal and lachrymal glands also produce Fel d 1, but to a much lesser extent. As of today, not even one single cat has been identified as being free from Fel d 1, making hypoallergenic cats an impossibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common sense leads us to believe that their fur is the source of all problems. In fact, the cat\u2019s hair does not induce an allergic response, but it carries dander, urine and saliva. Besides, it not only remains in the air, but also clings to furniture, walls, clothing and other surfaces. This allows for the levels of allergen to remain high for several months, even in the tidiest household. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Believe it or not, Fed d 1 can sometimes even be found in places where a cat has never been, like public transport vehicles\u2026 It\u2019s been documented at a high enough level to induce an allergic reaction! No wonder that even in houses without cats, sensitive people may start sneezing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cEvery time Umi is hospitalized, it\u2019s for like four days and it costs over $5,000\u2026 Maven has helped me not only save money<\/strong> but also save his life<\/strong><\/em>\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jessica Ortiz
Umi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Track your cat’s health!<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Is there such a thing as hypoallergenic cats? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We wish there was! Truth is that all cats produce Fel d 1 regardless of their breed, age, coat, lifestyle (indoors or outdoors) or body weight. So whenever you hear that Siberian or Balinese cat breeds will solve all allergy-related problems, keep in mind that there are currently no scientific studies supporting the existence of hypoallergenic cat breeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also remarkable how the same cat can produce widely different amounts of Fel d 1 throughout the year, and even throughout the day. This explains why someone\u2019s allergic response to their own cat may vary over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can the allergic reaction be avoided?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For those who are highly sensitive, we’ve got bad news… Unfortunately the scientific community still hasn\u2019t come up with a solution to this major problem. The desire to spot or develop a hypoallergenic cat breed is strong, but we are not there yet. So the first recommendation usually given by physicians is to attempt to reduce the allergen load and exposure… Whether by removing the cat from the household, or by adopting environmental control measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Removing the cat, and therefore avoiding the allergen, is tricky. Fel d 1 prevails in the household for ages, so it may take a while for symptoms to improve. Even though this technique is effective, it has a big catch… The psychological distress caused by having to give our furry friend away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to environmental control, things are a bit different. There’s plenty that can be done to reduce the levels of allergen, but that doesn\u2019t mean all symptoms will disappear. Fel d 1 will last in any surroundings for a long time… So the positive outcome of these measures is sometimes barely noticeable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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