Pet allergy is a common phenomenon in pet households. It has been observed that cats are two times more susceptible to allergies than dogs.
Cat allergies can cause sneezing, coughing reactions, skin rashes, and other symptoms in humans, especially pregnant women and children.
Allergies in cats are not caused due to their fur or long hair, instead, it has more to do with cat’s urine, saliva, and dried skin flakes.
Are you or any of your family members prone to cat allergies but have overpowering love for the feline creatures?
Then it’s time to bring a hypoallergenic cat to your household. Siberian, Russian Blue, Balinese, Burmese, and Siamese cats are considered to have less allergenic reactions in humans.
Are Persian cats hypoallergenic?
So are Persian cats hypoallergenic? In short, Persian cats are not hypoallergenic but they can bring out allergies due to their long coats.
Most people argue that no cat breed is truly hypoallergenic. 100% hypoallergenic cat is a myth.
Some breeds like ragdoll considered to be not hypoallergenic. That’s because of their less allergic reactions in the human body than the other ones. Persian cats, in particular, are considered as non-hypoallergenic cats, i.e., Persian cat parents are more prone to cat allergies in comparison to the hypoallergenic cat parents.
If not bathed often, Persian cats’ fur may contain high levels of cat dander, which results in allergic reactions in humans.
All cats produce Fel d 1 protein in their saliva, which is one of the leading causes of allergy. Male Persian cats contain more protein in their saliva than the female ones.
Therefore, if you or anyone else at your home is prone to cat allergies, a Persian cat may not be the ideal choice. The Fel d 1 protein and dander get stuck in their fur, also leaving a trail of dust in your house.
While no particular breed of cats will keep you completely safe from cat allergies, Persian cats may pose a more massive risk.
Pet parents with a history of allergic reactions and symptoms may avoid bringing a Persian cat at home. Your allergic symptoms may likely resurface.
Persian cats are not hypoallergenic. If you do not shower them, your cat allergies might become worse.
However, there is still a significant portion of Persian cat parents that have absolutely no allergic reactions because of their feline friend.
It depends on your bodily reactions to the cat protein. Some pet parents may suffer from irritation and redness in the eyes and nose, sneezing and coughing, skin rashes while snuggling with their Persian cats, In contrast, others may be completely resistant to any allergic reactions.
So the answer to the question, ‘are Persian cats hypoallergenic’ depends mostly on the bodily reactions of pet owners and their family members.
Why are Persian Cats not hypoallergenic?
Even though there are a large variety of cats such as Siberian, Balinese, Russian Blue, Sphynx, Javanese, and Devon Rex that are considered to be hypoallergenic, you still won’t be 100% safe from cat allergies.
Allergic reactions depend on the immune system of the body. Pet parents often believe that the long hair of their Persian cat causes allergies.
However, contrary to what people might believe, cat allergies are caused due to allergens present in cat dander and saliva.
Dander is dried flakes of a cat’s skin that is one of the leading causes of causing allergic reactions. Also, cats have a habit of licking their skin through their saliva.
Fel d 1, a protein, is a common allergen present in the dander and saliva that becomes a microscopic particle and spreads in the air. When the pet parent breathes, the allergens cause allergic reactions.
Also, the microparticles can stick to your clothing and can stay in the air for a long time, causing frequent allergic reactions in the human body.
Persian cats have long hair, which holds more dust particles and allergens than other cats. Another major cause of cat allergies is cat litter that gets stuck to your pet’s fur. The pungent odor of your cat’s urine may also cause allergic reactions in some people. Therefore, Persian cats are not hypoallergenic.
Ways to reduce cat allergies
If you love cats but can’t control sneezing when near them, then the below-given ways to reduce allergic reactions will be a lifesaver for you.
- Get a separate bed for your cat. If your cat sleeps in your bed, it might increase the chances of cat allergies as the allergens or dust particles may fall on your bedsheets and stick to your skin while sleeping. Keep your cat away from your bed, and also, try cleaning your bed sheets often.
- Shower your cat frequently. Cats have a habit of grooming their skin through their saliva that contains protein, which is the leading cause of allergic reactions. Keeping your cat clean will decrease the number of macroparticles and allergens in the air, thus protecting you from sneezing.
- Vacuum your house daily. If you have a weak immune system and are prone to allergic reactions, then vacuuming your house daily will work wonders for you in reducing the allergic reactions as your home will be free of dust and dander that poses a lot of problems.
- Keep your hands and clothes clean. Whenever you touch or play with your cat, avoid touching your face, eyes, or nose with the same hands as it might cause irritation and itchiness. Also, wash your clothes frequently to get rid of dust particles and allergens.
Don’t worry about sneezing or coughing anymore and rather spend quality time with your adorable Persian cat.
Conclusion
Persian cats are not hypoallergenic. Their long fur may cause allergic reactions to their pet parents. However, most of the pet parents or their family members suffer from cat allergies caused due to Fel d 1 protein, which is present in the cat’s dander and saliva.
Other causes may be the pungent smell of cat urine and dust particles that get stuck to your cat’s fur. It majorly depends upon the immunity and susceptibility to allergic reactions.
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Hi There, AJ Oren here. I am the founder of this amazing pet blog & a passionate writer who loves helping pet owners to learn more about their pets through my articles. I am also the content manager of this blog. I have experience in pet training and behavior, sheltering, and currently working for a veterinary clinic.