Hypoallergenic Cats - How to Find A Cat That Does Not Bother Your Allergies So Much

Many people have been asking about the existence of hypoallergenic cats. The truth is that there is no such thing as true hypoallergenic cats. Despite this fact, there are some that tend to be less difficult on the allergies than most others. While there is no such thing as true hypoallergenic cats, a company is claiming that they have genetically produced the first true hypoallergenic kitty. Reviews from several people are reporting that this is the case, but it will be years before most people can afford one of these.

Here are a few tips to finding cats that will not bother your allergies as much as most.

1. Get A Siberian Cat. Many experts will tell you that these cats are naturally hypoallergenic. They are great lovable cats that are prominently found in Russia, but you can get them in the United States too.

2. Bathe Your Cat Regularly. Cats hate water. They absolutely despise it. They will run around in the rain outside, but they do not want to be near any streams or lakes. Despite all of the stereotypes regarding cats and water, it is entirely possible to get one to stand in a bathtub for a bath. The cat will have much less dander and shed less if you can train them to appreciate a bath. After you have bathed your cat a few times, they will get used to this activity and will not fight you at bath time.

3. Get Any Short Haired Cat. Short haired ones tend to be closer to hypoallergenic cats than others. The hair that they shed will not show up in your carpet as much as other cats and you may find that the cat agrees with your sinuses.

4. Try to get used to the cat if you really want him. Our bodies react differently to allergies. Many people have reported that they do not have as many problems with allergies after they have been around the same cat for a few weeks. I know that this has been the case for me, as I got used to the cat that was bothering my allergies. Now he can sit on my lap every day, and I do not have any problems with him.

In the future, we will likely see more and more hypoallergenic cats as science improves. It remains to be seen if the cats genetically produced are truly hypoallergenic, but the early results appear to be promising. As these cats become a part of the cat population, it is expected that the cost of a true hypoallergenic animal will go down considerably.

If you really want a new four legged furry friend now, you should look into the options available to you today.

Kevin Highfill writes about pets [http://www.online4pets.com/] and pet related topics at [http://www.online4pets.com/].

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Hypoallergenic Cat

If ones nose starts running, eyes water, throat feels like it is closing or hives develop when a cat is near, an allergy to it is the problem. Immunotherapy, a series of injections is one solution. Another is purchasing a hypoallergenic cat.

Allerca Lifestyle Pets sells hypoallergenic kittens for $5,950. The kitten is a short haired breed based on the British Shorthair. Although not guaranteed, the sex and coat color and pattern are optional. Currently, there is a two year wait but for an additional $1950, the waiting time can be reduced. Allerca offers a one year full refund guarantee.

Allergic reaction to a cat is caused by Fel d 1 glycoprotein which is secreted by the skin and saliva. In worst cases, it can cause asthma in allergy sufferers. Every time a it licks or rubs against something, Fel d 1 is deposited. The allergen builds up quickly existing every where it has been.

How does Allerca create a hypoallergenic cat? The company uses a form of selective breeding. It isolated the gene that produced Fel d 1 and accelerated the genetic divergence process thus minimizing or eliminating the gene. This did not cause any genetic problems with the animal.

There are some breeds that can lessen an allergic reaction. Different breeds have different levels of Fel d 1. Devon and Cornish Rex have a reduced number of hairs leaving less surface area to collect allergens. The Shpynx is almost completely hairless. The Russian Blue has a low level of this allergen. The Siberian has the least amount of this allergen of all breeds. Females have less of this allergen then males. Un-neutered males have more than neutered males.

Some of the ways to minimize the amount of allergens:
Spay or neuter.
Wash it periodically in plain water.
Flea control.
Install an air filtration system.
Ventilate the house.
Vacuum carpets with HEPA equipped vacuum cleaner.
Avoid wearing wool which attracts allergens.
Keep the litter box in a well ventilated area.
Use an enclosure to keep it outside sometimes.

The best way to treat this allergy is not to have a cat. Other alternatives are to suffer with the allergy and use over the counter medications to treat it. Get a series of injections to reduce the allergic symptoms. Contact Allerca and purchase a hypoallergenic cat.

Frank Loethen lives with his wife and three cats, Sunny, Sinclair and Midnite, in Georgia. If you enjoyed this article, please visit my cat products website, [http://www.purrfectcatproducts.com], your one stop site for all your cat and kitten needs. Cat food, cat toys, litter accessories and cat treats are among the many items on the site. You can also see my three cats on the site.

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Hypoallergenic Cats?

Lots of people around the world would love to have a cat or two as pets but can't because they are allergic to cats. Many people love their cats so much that they keep the cats and live with their allergies as best they can. Cat lovers and breeders around the world have put many years of effort into finding a cat breed or type that is hypoallergenic. Although they have had some success in the past, until recently there really has not been a cat type or breed that is totally hypoallergenic.

The cause of the problem is primarily a protein in the cat's saliva and skin called Felis Domesticus but most people call it Fel D 1 to keep it short. A skin gland called the sebaceous gland produces it. Since all cat breeds have this gland they all can generate allergic reactions in their owners. Although the hair, dander and urine from cats can produce allergic reactions in people, Fel D 1 is the biggest cause of cat generated allergens. It is an extremely small and sticky molecule, much smaller than dust or pollen. It is almost everywhere that a cat has been and can hang around in the air for several years after the cat has left. Believe it or not, Fel D 1 has even been found in the Antarctic far away from the nearest cat.

Two cat breeds in particular have been better tolerated by allergy sufferers. The Sphynx breed is almost totally hairless and because of this they cause fewer allergic reactions from people. They don't really shed since they are mostly hairless so that eliminates one way of spreading the Fel D 1 protein. This is truly an enchanting and elegant breed but the Fel D 1 protein is still generated and can cause allergy problems for the owner. Cornish Rex is a similar breed with very short dense hair. It does shed but much less than most other breeds. Because of this it has gained a reputation as a good possible cat for allergy sufferers. But again, it is not completely hypoallergenic.

Recently, a company called Allerca feels that they have completely solved the problem with Fel D 1. They used a patented process to test cat's genes to identify which genes produce Fel D 1 protein. Once they identified the Fel D 1 gene they found cats that had genetic divergences with that gene. They call genetic divergences GD for short. They did not do any genetic engineering or cloning or anything like that they simply found cats that already had the genetic divergences naturally and breed them with each other to produce cats with genetic divergences that changed the structure of Fel D 1. The result was 100 percent hypoallergenic cats. This is not a particular breed of cat. Cats of all breeds can have the required GD (genetic divergences) but it is very rare.

So can you buy one of these Allerca GD cats? Yes, but they cost about $3500 dollars U.S. and that puts you on the end of a waiting list about 2 to 3 years long. As in most businesses, money talks so for an extra $2000 you get to go to the head of the line and get one today. For that price they even fly the kitten to your veterinarian in a private jet. Is Allerca having any trouble selling the kittens at that price? They are receiving 500 down payments per day for kittens. That's right, 500 down payments per day so selling the cats is not even remotely a problem but keeping up with demand is obviously a problem. Allerca plans to have 500 kittens available in 2007 and hopes to increase that to 5,000 next year in 2008 and 200,000 per year by the year 2010.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Allergies [http://allergies-treatment.com/]

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Thank Goodness for Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds!

Thanks to hypoallergenic cat breeds, everyone can enjoy the affection that a purring friend can offer. It is a fact that humans live longer, healthier and happier lives when they have an animal companion. Unfortunately, allergies trouble a large percentage of the population but that doesn't mean they can't have a feline friend in their life.

What's the Difference?

If you are like many others, you are probably wondering what the difference is between these cats and the ones that make you sneeze, wheeze and give you watery eyes. Simply put, these breeds produce fewer allergens.

Fel D1 is the allergen found in a cat's saliva that causes the reaction you experience. When your cat licks his coat, allergen-laden spit becomes airborne after it dries. At this point, it looks for a warm, moist environment like your nose, sinuses, throat and eyes. Cats that produce less of this irritating allergen are considered hypoallergenic.

Hypoallergenic Cats

• Devon Rex - These cats are active, playful, intelligent, affectionate and are ideal companions for humans and other pets. The Devon Rex is easily recognized by its curly coat, large ears and a wedge-shaped head.

• Sphinx - These cats do need frequent baths because their natural oils produce a gummy buildup on their skin. Although these cats are hairless, they do still have the ability to evoke allergic reactions. The Sphinx is a hungry cat with a fast metabolism and an abundance of energy.

• Balinese - These cats certainly don't look like they would be hypoallergenic but they are! The Balinese looks like a Siamese only smaller and they have a longer, silkier tail. These cats love to hangout in high hiding places and they are considered the smartest of all breeds.

• Javanese - Playful, vocal, intelligent and people-oriented are all words to describe this breed. They are slender with blue eyes and beautiful markings.

• Oriental Shorthair - These cats demand attention and can be extremely vocal if they are ignored. They are sleek and sturdy and come in over 300 colors and patterns.

• Cornish Rex - Their very short coat has curly washboard waves. They are not truly hypoallergenic but most allergy sufferers are less affected by them. They are extremely affectionate, playful and have an average lifespan of 15 years!

• Siberian - At least 75 percent of allergy suffers are unaffected by the Siberian, despite its long, beautiful coat. The Siberian is big and powerful, athletic and energetic and possess a dog-like devotion to their human companions, including children.

Bringing a Cat Home

It is strongly recommended to spend some time with a cat before you purchase or adopt it. Just because one person is not affected by a breed does not mean that you won't be. If you have children who are allergic to cats, they should spent time with the feline first as well. It is unfair and very stressful to the animal to bring it home and then return it. Everyone should have a pet, thanks to hypoallergenic cat breeds, this is possible!

Sonia Manning provides interesting information, helpful tips and useful resources about cats and their behaviors.

Visit her website at [http://www.catbehaviorsolutions.com] for more topics, and solutions for problem cat behaviors. You can also receive free an 8-day Email Mini-Course on "Secrets About Your Cat's Behavior: Why He Does the Things He Does!"

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