A lot of people love cats because they are adorable and very cute. Among different cat breeds, Persian cats are an all-time favorite. They are loyal loving and are considered to be hypoallergenic. These small furry animals with their innocent eyes (have you ever looked into those deep pools of baby blue?), furry tails, and round faces make the world go ‘aww’.
Cats give us hope for humanity as we can’t imagine anything worse than those terrifying monsters from those old horror movies – the kind where something bad always happens and then jumps out at you, and (mwahaha) it’s just a cat!
Cats provide people with companionship, so people like them to keep them in their houses. However, there are a lot of people who have allergic reactions to cats. The reasons for this range from the fur, the dander, and even cat saliva.
If you have been thinking about getting a cat but have been worried about your allergies, fret not! There are several breeds of hypoallergenic cats that do not cause any allergic reactions. So, what about Persian Cat? Are Persian Cats Hypoallergenic?
The short answer is that Persian cats are not hypoallergenic. But what exactly is Hypoallergenic?
What Does It Mean When a Cat is Hypoallergenic?
The term “hypoallergenic” is used to describe animals that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction in people.
Similarly, cats are hypoallergenic means that they do not cause an allergic reaction in most people.
But sad to say that no cats are 100% hypoallergenic. However, some breeds may be less likely to cause an allergic reaction than others.
What Makes a Cat Hypoallergenic?
Most people think that cats’ fur is the main reason that causes allergies to humans. It makes your nose itch and eyes watery, but that’s not all. Cats’ dander and even cat saliva also equally contribute to it.
But the main reason is a protein called Fel d 1 highly present in cats’ saliva and sebaceous glands located in their skin.
Are All Cat Breeds the Same?
There are many cat breeds, and each one of them produces different levels of Fel d1 protein. Hypoallergenic cats can be a good alternative for many people who suffer from allergies and asthma due to their fur and skin.
For example, the Birman cat breed has been found to produce high levels of protein, while the Siamese cat breed produces low levels.
So, if you’re considering getting a cat, it’s important to do your research and find a hypoallergenic breed.
Which Breeds of cats are Hypoallergenic?
As mentioned above, no cat breeds are 100% hypoallergenic. However, the breeds listed below are considered to have lower allergy rates.
How Hypoallergenic Are Persian Cats? (On a scale of 1-10)
As aforementioned, Persian cats are not hypoallergenic. However, Persians are often found in homes with people who are allergic to cats because of their passive temperament and less allergenic qualities. However, people who are allergic must think about this before getting one.
Hypoallergenic Score: 2
Reasons Persian cats are not considered Hypoallergenic are:
Persian cats can trigger several allergies, but the most common include rhinitis, eczema, and even asthma. If you are allergic to cats, it is important to avoid contact with them as much as possible.
How to Reduce Cat Allergies?
There are many options for reducing the amount of allergy-causing substances coming into contact with your skin when you’re around your furry feline friend. It includes regular grooming, washing clothes that come into contact with the animal, using a HEPA filter or air purifier, and getting rid of any.
Here are different ways to reduce allergies from your furry little friend.
Grooming
Grooming a Persian cat can help reduce allergies in humans. According to a study conducted by the University of Missouri. The researchers found that when the cats were groomed, their allergen levels dropped by 60 percent.
The study shows that when you groom your cat, you’re reducing the number of allergens in your environment.
Brushing your Persian cat regularly can also relieve them of shedding as well, which can cause allergies in humans. When you brush your cat, you’re removing loose hair and dander from their coat. This will help keep your environment free of allergens.
Another important factor that can help reduce allergies in humans is bathing your cat. When you bathe your cat, you’re removing allergens from their coat. You can use a pet shampoo to help reduce the number of allergens in your environment.
Cleaning Your House
The clutter in your home may be the reason you’re allergic to cats. Cleaning up can help you get rid of all of that fur, dander, or dust that is making you itch. It will also, hopefully, keep allergens from sticking to your clothes.
You should vacuum the mattress, furniture, as well as curtains regularly. Clean your sheets often to make sure you’re not exposing yourself to allergens. To keep allergies from adhering to your clothes, wash them frequently.
HEPA filter or air purifier
One way to reduce your risk of developing a cat allergy is to remove pet dander from the air. Pet dander is a common allergen that can cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to cats.
One way to remove pet dander from the air is to use a HEPA filter or an air purifier.
A HEPA filter is a type of air filter that removes 99.97% of all particles larger than 0.3 micrometers from the air. An air purifier is a device that cleans the air by removing harmful particles and odors. Both of these devices can help reduce your risk of developing a cat allergy.
Keep Your Cats Out of Your Bedroom
There’s nothing like coming home to the comfort of your furry friend, but don’t invite trouble in the bedroom, where you sleep and relax. Even if your cat snuggles up close in bed or on a pillow, this isn’t good for your health. There’s an allergen shed by cats that can cause severe allergies and even asthma attacks with repeated exposure!
Use Antibacterial Hand Wash
The first thing you do when you get home from work is to let your cat outside. This usually takes about ten minutes as your cat starts playing with the other neighborhood cats, and then washing up is an afterthought.
Geez, what a hassle. Be sure to touch the faucet with your hand using antibacterial hand wash or liquid soap before taking off any of your work clothes. Also, do not touch any other part of your body before washing up, as bacteria may transmit.
Wash Pet Bedding Regularly
Pet bedding is a storehouse for fur and dander because cats may use it to groom themselves. To help you protect from any allergic symptoms, it’s very important to wash their pet bedding regularly, i.e., every few weeks, preferably in hot water.
Move The Litter Box
It’s best to keep your cat litter box somewhere other than in a living room or bathroom. In fact, the ideal location would be a utility-type space where it could easily be accessed and cleaned regularly without disturbing other furniture pieces or aesthetically unpleasant sights from being left out in plain sight.
Another great option would be a hooded litter box that aims to conceal the entire process of getting rid of waste as much as possible. You can also choose to get automatic cat litter boxes that do away with manually cleaning the box by eliminating the waste instead.
Conclusion
Cats have been known to trigger allergies in those who are sensitive. If you have a cat allergy, the Persian cat breed may be difficult for you to handle. You’ll need to do some research about the breed and see if it’s a good fit for you before you adopt.
If you do want to adopt the Persian cat breed, then you’ll need to be prepared to take some extra precautions to make sure they don’t trigger your allergies.
English
French