Cat Allergies
What is Cat Allergy Due To?
The major cat allergen, called Fel d 1, is found in cat saliva, dander from sebaceous glands in the skin, fur, and anal sebaceous glands. Other cat allergens, including albumin, are found in the urine, saliva and blood.
How Common is Cat Allergy?
Allergy to cats is extremely common, occurring in up to 25 percent of people with allergies. Cat allergy is more common than allergy to dog dander, which may be related to the potency of cat hair and dander as an allergen as well as the fact that cats are not generally bathed.
Why is Cat Allergy Such a Problem?
Cat allergen is produced in large amounts, particularly by male non-neutered cats as the allergen is partially under hormonal control. The dander is constantly airborne, sticky, and found in public places, even where there are no cats.
This is due to the dander being carried on the clothing of people who have cats, then shed in public places. Therefore, cat allergen is a component of house dust, even in homes where a cat has never lived.
The size of the cat dander particles is extremely small, and is inhaled deep into the lungs. Cat dander is therefore a common cause of allergic asthma, and cat owners who are allergic to cats are more prone to the development of asthma symptoms.
Fel d 1
The protein Fel d 1, produced largely by cat saliva and sebaceous glands, is the primary allergen present on cats. The protein is of an unknown function to the animal but causes an IgG or IgE reaction in sensitive humans (either as an allergic or asthmatic response). Removal of soft surfaces in the home (carpet, furniture), frequent washings of bed linens, HEPA filters and even washing cats have been proven to reduce the amounts of Fel d 1 present in the home. Fel d 1 is a particularly sticky protein and has been shown to cling to clothing and human hair and can be detected in environments where a cat has never been present.
Cats produce, on average, 2-7 µg of Fel d 1 per day. Studies have shown that intact males produce Fel d 1 in levels higher than castrated males, leading to the assumption that Fel d 1 is hormonally regulated by testosterone. Castrated males produce Fel d 1 in levels similar to females (both intact and altered females produce Fel d 1 in similar levels). Even though females and castrated males produce Fel d 1 in lower levels, they still produce enough to cause allergic symptoms in sensitive individuals.
The Sphynx Cat
The Sphynx is not always totally hairless; there can be a fine down on the body, which makes the cat feel like a warm peach. Some light hair is often present on the nose, tail and toes. The texture of the Sphynx skin has been compared to a suede covered hot water bottle or a heated chamois, thus, the Bare Velvet feel.
Because of the lack of hair that would normally absorb body oils, the Sphynx needs periodic bathing and ear cleaning. This is not a difficult task with a cat that has been acclimated from kittenhood with bathing and grooming proper for the Sphynx.
Some breeds of cats are less likely to trigger allergy symptoms in people with pet allergies than others.
Fiction - While it is true that some breeds of cats are said to produce much more allergen than others, there is absolutely no breed that is hypoallergenic or can promise to be best for people with asthma or pet allergies. It is not possible to predict with any accuracy which animals are likely to be more or less allergenic based on a particular breed, size, hair length, or propensity to shed. There is no perfect furry pet for people with allergies to cats and dogs.
Splitting Hairs Over Cat Allergies
Some unknowing or unscrupulous breeders sometimes refer to their cats as 'hypoallergenic.' No breed of cat, nor any cat in and of itself, is hypoallergenic, for there is someone, somewhere, who will have an allergic response to ANY cat.
Some people who cannot tolerate coated cats 'can' tolerate Sphynx. But this is an individual response and no blanket statement can be made regarding your family member's possible reaction to a Sphynx.
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Is the Sphynx Cat Hypoallergenic?
The Sphynx cat is only partly safe for allergy sufferers. If you are allergic to cat hair, you can probably tolerate a Sphynx, but if you are allergic to cat skin and saliva, they will still affect you. Some people who suffer from cat allergies can tolerate living with Sphynx cats. However, depending on the type and severity of the individual's allergic reactions, there are still people who cannot live with this breed.
Controlling cat allergies - What can you do?
Take Control - Keeping pets out of the bedroom can reduce unnecessary suffering since people spend approximately one-third of each day in this room. The presence of cats on owners' beds contributes greatly to the amount of airborne allergens in the home. Exposure to airborne allergens, which also are spread by air currents, can be reduced by restricting the pet's presence in bedrooms, dens or living rooms with upholstered furniture.
Because cat dander is quite light and buoyant, and floats freely in the indoor air, electrostatic or HEPA air cleaners can be a big help in removing unwanted allergenic particles. The size of the space determines the size filter necessary, and units are available as tabletop models or can be adapted to central air conditioning systems. Placing a screen or filter over room vents may keep dander from traveling through the heating and air conditioning system. Bear in mind that it may take six months or more to completely rid the home of cat dander particles even after the pet is removed.
Cat owners may not want to part with their pets, despite the symptoms they endure. Short of getting rid of the cat, here are some ways to decrease cat allergen exposure for cat owners:
- Ensure the cat is neutered
- Bathing the cat at least once or twice a week
- Wiping the cat with a wet cloth or hand towel daily
- Remove the cat from the bedroom, close the bedroom door and air vents to the bedroom
- Keep the cat in a part of the home with an uncarpeted floor
- Vacuum frequently with a HEPA-equipped vacuum cleaner
- Purchase a HEPA room air cleaner for use in the bedroom and/or other parts of the home (it is best to keep the HEPA filter off of the floor so as to not stir up more dust)
- Follow house dust mite avoidance precautions
- If the above measures do not help to reduce allergic symptoms, getting rid of the pet cats may be needed, particularly for people with uncontrolled asthma.
- Cat dander will persist for months to years in the home even if the cat is gone – therefore it is important to clean thoroughly
- steam clean all carpets and upholstered furniture
- launder or dry clean all bedding and curtains
- vacuum all hard floors
- wipe down all hard surfaces and furniture
- replace any air conditioner and heater vent filters
Controlling cat allergies - Once a week its Bath Time
Sphynx cats are hairless, they will require a bath. Once a week is best. In general, cats do not like water, but they can lean to tolerate it, some even like it. At BareVelvet Sphynx Cattery we start bathing our kittens from a very young age so the kittens are used to getting a bath when they go to their new homes. Bathing a cat can be very easy. I like to bath my cats in the kitchen sink. I use an anti-microbial / anti-fungal shampoo. I fill up the sink half way with warm water. I squeeze a little shampoo onto a wet wash cloth, and bathe them just like I would a baby. Be careful not to get any shampoo in their eyes. Make sure to keep a dry towel close by so you can dry the cat off quickly.
Immunotherapy (allergy shots) makes it possible for pet lovers to keep their pets.
Most studies over the last 20 years demonstrate a positive effect, particularly for cat allergen. However, the outcomes of these studies have been based largely on laboratory studies, so what this means for the average allergic pet owner remains a question. Based on available studies, it is most likely that immunotherapy will not allow allergic pet owners to live with a cat or dog more comfortably. More studies are needed to fully define the strategies, both immunologic and environmental, that will be most effective.
Removing the cat from your home
Once the cat or dog has been removed from the home, symptoms may not improve for weeks or even months, as allergen levels fall quite slowly. In homes with cats, for example, the allergen load typically takes as long as four to six months to reach that of non-cat homes. Levels may fall much more quickly if the homeowner makes extensive environmental changes, such as removing carpets, upholstered furniture, and other allergen reservoirs. It has been shown that cat allergen may persist in mattresses for years after a cat has been removed from a home, so new bedding or impermeable encasements must also be recommended. |
Baby Buff(male) . Norton, is now living in
Jacksonville, Florida.
Golden Buff baby
(aka Norton)
Sphynx kittens love to snuggle next to you.
Norton |
