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Myths Around The Hypoallergenic Cat

By Steven Wright


Cats have been at the company of man since time in memorial. They mostly provide companionship and eat rats, which may be destructive. However, there are some people, who cannot withstand the sight of them, because they develop medical conditions. This includes sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and skin swelling, which are minor allergic reactions. Major ones such as asthma attacks are possible if the minor conditions persists. However, some have been discovered to have little or no allergic reactions and are called hypoallergenic cat.

One of the biggest breakthroughs came when scientists discovered how the allergies come about. The cat saliva contains a protein called felius domesticus allergen 1, whose function is unknown, but it is affects the human body. To reduce contact with this protein will help to prevent the allergies; however, its effects are only limited to some people.

The level of tolerance differs from individual to the other. It is possible for the proteins to come in contact with an allergic person, but the health effects are lesser. This is because some people have a strong immune system, which may tolerate the pathogens, even if he is sensitive. If a person has a weak one, he can get a booster shot to supplement his.

The environment also affects a person. If you live in a room that is stuffed and air is dampened, then the risk factor of developing allergies from your cat will be higher. Therefore, it is recommended to do regular cleaning so that you can refresh the air and decrease the pathogens in the air. Moreover, cleaning the cat helps to reduce it.

If you are aware of your sensitive situation, then try as much as possible to limit the time spent with the pet. Doing contrary of this, the allergens in your body can increase; hence, high chances of getting a reaction. In addition, the cat should be prevented from certain places such as the bedroom and especially the bed in order to reduce the risks.

The amount of fur also affects the saliva deposited. A cat with more fur will be able to hold more saliva; hence, it can transfer more of the protein while one with less is likely to cause a lesser reaction. However, some cats naturally have little fur and some more fur. The fur is important, since it conserves heat, which helps to protect it against cold temperatures. Therefore, it is not advisable to trim the fur since you could make the animal susceptible to cold related diseases.

The genetic components of a particular cat affect the reaction. It is possible to find a cat that produces less amount of saliva and also lesser of the fel d1 protein. This simply means that the allergens will be secreted, but at small quantities; thus, little reaction. However, if the proteins find a direct entry into the bloodstream, then slight allergies may be experienced.

To put all the above in a nutshell, the choice of cat should be through a careful evaluation of the above factors and you are likely to get an animal that fits your preferences.




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