Allergies

What is it really?

Between 2 and 15% of humans are allergic to cats . Cats (and to a lesser extent dogs) produce proteins in their oil glands, saliva, hair and skin flakes that, when inhaled, create an inflammatory reaction similar to that created by pollen that causes hay fever or asthma. The protein can also create the same symptoms if deposited on the skin of an allergic person or on mucous membranes, such as the conjunctiva of the eyes.

Any cat or dog has the potential to be hypoallergenic (which means less allergenic – anallergenic would be the term for totally non-allergenic). The protein secreted simply needs to be different enough that the allergic person’s immune system does not recognize it. In addition, animals that shed less hair or skin dander leave less of this protein in the house, on clothing or suspended in the air. On the other hand, a cat or dog cannot be anallergenic .

In cats, five allergens have been recognized in the medical literature. The two main allergens are called Fel d 1 and Fel d 4. The Fel d 1 protein is produced in the saliva and sebaceous glands of the cat.

Which breeds are less allergenic?

Some breeds of cats are less likely to secrete this protein and/or have a coat that sheds less easily in the house. Although this can be debated and especially since it is not a guarantee against allergies, some statistical or clinical studies report that the following breeds have hypoallergenic potential: Russian Blue, Siberian, Devon and Cornish Rex, Abyssinian, Balinese and Sphynx . Neutered females and males are said to produce similar levels of Fel d 1, while intact (non-neutered) males are said to produce it in greater quantities. There is no significant scientific evidence to conclude that coat color is associated with a cat’s allergenic potential. However, even for a female of a breed known to be hypoallergenic, the amount of allergen can be sufficient to produce an allergic reaction in people with sensitive immune systems.

As for dogs, it would be more breeds whose hair is woolly or sheds very little: poodle, schnauzer, bichon frise and Maltese, Irish and Portuguese water dogs, etc.

How to manage allergies?

If you are (a little) allergic but want to keep your small animal, the following few simple steps will make your life easier:

• Ban him from your bedroom.
• Wash your hands after touching it; do not touch your face or eyes first.
• Rinse with very warm water and soap if you get a scratch or bite; if necessary, you can also disinfect the impact point with peroxide, for example.
• Use a sticky roller to remove hair from your clothes or bed.
• Clean your bedding regularly and vacuum it (with a HEPA filter) at least twice a week.
• Remove rugs and carpets; replace them with wood or tile floors.
• Brush the animal thoroughly every day, if possible outside.
• Clean his litter box or cage every day.
• Some products, such as Allerpet lotion, can also help reduce the effect of allergies.

Sources :

Animo broadcast, response from Dr Sébastien Kfoury to a question on hypoallergenic cats (page consulted on October 10, 2018): see the link
Wikipedia (pages consulted on October 10, 2018): link 1 and link 2
Article from the Saint-Jean Veterinary Hospital: see the link

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