Are British Shorthair Cats Hypoallergenic? [ See Here ]

Cat allergy is a very common topic that we often get questioned about here. As a large majority of people have one or the other type of cat allergy, potential cat owners ask whether their choice of cat would be hypoallergenic or not.

There is a fundamental problem to this question, and we are going to talk about it later in the article.

When it comes to British Shorthair Cats, they are not hypoallergenic.

Although the length of the hair is not long, these cats have thick coats underneath. So, as far as loose hair goes, you will find it everywhere. We will explain later why it is important.

In this article, we will take a look at whether you can call British Shorthair Cats hypoallergenic.

We will first discuss what hypoallergenic means and later see whether these cats qualify as hypoallergenic cats.

Are British Shorthair Cats Hypoallergenic?

British Shorthair cats are not hypoallergenic. None of the cats qualify to be one. All the cats secrete some amount of allergen in the air, and it can trigger an allergic response to anyone susceptible to develop symptoms.

Due to the thick coats of British Shorthair cats, these cats shed quite a lot if you are not brushing them weekly.

First of all, let us understand what hypoallergenic means. It is a commercial term that many cat breeders use to upsell their cats.

Hypoallergenic means something that does not trigger any allergic reaction to people around it.

Hence, hypoallergenic cats do not cause allergic reactions to anyone around. If the concept is clear, we can look at why we state that cats are not hypoallergenic.

Cats cause allergies because of a compound called FelD1, an allergen found in the saliva, sweat, and urine of cats.

So, whenever the cat is licking their coats, the allergen gets transferred to the coat.

As shedding is common for any cat, the loose hair on the cat’s body gets airborne along with the allergen.

If a person who is allergic to this compound somehow inhales it, they will develop some symptoms.

If we are clear about these, we can understand why cats can never be hypoallergenic.

Every cat sheds some amount of fur daily, and there is no way around it. Yes, you can reduce the shedding by brushing the cat daily, but the cat would still shed to some extent.

It might lead you to believe that hairless cats are safe regarding the allergy situation, but you’re mistaken.

Although hairless cats do not shed, the compound FelD1 is still quite profound on their skin. So, they are equally capable of triggering an allergic reaction to any allergic individual.

Now, you should be aware of why the claims of any particular cat being hypoallergenic are absurd.

However, some cats can indeed cause more allergies than others, and hair length plays a vital role in that.

We can at last talk about the British Shorthair cat. So, you might argue that the length of the hair should make British Shorthair better than other cats.

However, these cats produce the allergen at the same rate as any other cat.

While it is true that the chances of this allergen reaching your orifices reduces, the probability is not even close to zero. So, they are not hypoallergenic in any sense.

Do British Shorthair Cats Shed?

One of the most desirable qualities of British Shorthair cats is that they do not shed their fur as much as any other cat of their size would do. It is primarily because these cats have short and thick coats.

The climate also plays a vital role in determining the shedding of British Shorthair cats.

Generally, cats shed a lot when the season changes from a cold to a relatively warmer temperature. They lose the need to have such dense fur anymore, resulting in shedding quite a lot.

If you have owned a British Shorthair cat, you might have noticed that these cats shed throughout the year at a constant rate.

However, British Shorthair cats are primarily house cats, and they are more prone to having a conditioned temperature throughout the year. As a result, they do not have the effects of seasonal changes.

How To Prevent Your British Shorthair From Being Allergic?

There is no way you can prevent the allergens from reaching you.

If you are living with any cat, you will have some effects of the FelD1 compound.

However, many people are not sensitive to this allergen, and they tend to spend an amazing time with their cats. But not all are lucky like them.

Some people have reported that they have grown used to having a cat around, and the allergen has stopped affecting them.

But there are opposite remarks, where the concerned individuals have reported that the condition only exacerbated from the start.

There are a few ways you can ensure that you are not living in an environment filled with those allergens by being a little careful. You will not be able to solve the problem entirely, but there are a few ways you can make it better.

• You must have a vacuum cleaner at your home when you have a cat. It is better to invest in a good model with a HEPA filter that does not let allergens get out of the vacuum.
• You can also buy an air purifier for your bedroom and living room.
• Reduce interaction with the British Shorthair cats, especially when you are sleeping.
• You can always wear a mask while playing with your cat. If you are prone to allergies, you must use a mask when you are brushing your cat.

Conclusion:

This article should give you enough to know that hypoallergenic cats do not exist. Every cat has different strengths in causing allergy, and British Shorthair cats do not lie on the lesser side of the scale.