Are Cornish Rex Cats Hypoallergenic? (6 Tips for Allergic Owners)

Despite them having short curly hairs, Cornish Rex cats are not a hypoallergenic breed. Honestly, no cat breed is 100% anti-allergenic, but that does not mean that as a cat lover who suffers from allergies, you no longer stand a chance of actually owning one.

The options for a new cat seem to be unending. There are long-haired and fluffy cats and there are also those who have relatively short furs. The moment you realize that you keep sneezing and eventually find out you are allergic, your list of options instantly gets short.

If you are one of those who are afraid to try to own a kitten due to the idea that you are forever destined not to own a cat, fear no more- the Cornish Rex might just be the perfect fur baby. Not only would he be a less threat to your health but you also get to have a little slender companion who will let you feel what real affection is.

Find out more about why this breed is a great choice for allergy sufferers!

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Are There Any Cats That Are Not Hypoallergenic?

None at all. All cats including the Cornish Rex produce particular proteins called fel d1 that are largely produced by the feline’s sebaceous glands and fel d4 found in saliva. That means that the cat hair has entirely nothing to do with triggering someone’s allergies. The main culprit is the proteins the cat constantly produces.

Fel d1 and fel d4 start to affect people with allergies once it has been spread throughout the cat’s body. Cats are self-groomers. At times you may even find them licking themselves and that is how the trigger starts to linger in your room. Also, if your furry baby does not urinate in the right place, this can worsen your condition as an allergy sufferer.

You might be thinking of housebreaking your cat and shaving his entire hair off, unfortunately, this is only perceived as a band-aid solution. There are better options to deal with your allergy than ruining your Cornish Rex’s appearance.

5 Things to Do Before Getting Yourself a Cornish Rex

Photo from: *kahless.and.lukara.crex (IG)*

As someone who has pet allergies, you have to be all set before your little kitty arrives at your home. Aside from checking certain medical treatments from your doctor, there are also other things you can do to make sure that he is the right cat for you:

Spend time with your prospective kitten.
Consider replacing your furniture with materials where danders cannot easily stick or linger.
Prepare all the grooming equipment your pet might need.
Make sure your clothes and other daily-used items where allergens may stick on are stored properly.
Encase your sofa and bed pillows with allergen-proof covers for better protection.

Do Cornish Rex Cats Shed a Lot?

Thankfully, due to the Cornish Rex cat’s soft and wavy coat which lacks guard hairs, he does not shed as much compared to other cat breeds. This puts him on top of the list of cats you have to consider getting in the future. Aside from that, he requires little grooming as his hair does not freely stick all over your furniture and carpets. Brushing his hair using soft-bristled brushes can make a huge impact on his coat and might even significantly lower his shedding rate.

Moreover, some might suggest that this cat needs no baths at all, but the case may vary for those who have allergies. If you feel the need to bathe him, do so with more precaution. Make sure you use cat products that won’t dry his skin out or this could be another cause for more allergy triggers.

Can You Be Allergic to Cornish Rex Cats?

Many believe that the Cornish Rex cat produces fewer allergens which lower the owner’s risk of experiencing annoying allergy symptoms. They associate it with the little feline’s short, tight curls that seldomly get loose off the cat’s skin. This can be deemed true since the Cornish Rex only has a layer of fur compared to other cat breeds that have three. That would mean that the Cornish Rex puss can shed 2/3 less than anyone else.

With that in mind, this cat becomes a good candidate as a pet for those who have allergies. Moreover, it is important to know that Cornish Rex kittens will always have lesser allergens. That means you may not have any problems for the first few months until they start producing more of the allergenic proteins. If you want to be on the safe side, going for female Cornish Rex cats or neutered male ones will not pose a greater health risk as they will always produce lower amounts of the trigger inside your home.

How Can My Cornish Rex Trigger My Allergies?

Your cute Cornish Rex can trigger anyone’s allergies in several ways. Since he would constantly groom himself, the saliva containing the allergens will spread throughout his body. Even if you vacuum all areas your cat lays around often or brush his coat regularly, the moment you come in contact with a newly-groomed Cornish, allergy symptoms may start to kick in.

What’s worse is if he would start licking you while you prepare your meals in the kitchen or while you chill on the couch. Cats are naturally affectionate and this can be a way for them to show you that they appreciate you. However, this is a nightmare for cat allergy sufferers. Many might worry about the health risks the presence of a cat can cause, but luckily, there are a plethora of options you can choose to avoid serious repercussions.

Symptoms of Pet Allergies if You Are Living With a Cornish Rex

It can be a bad experience if every time you bond with yourCornish Rex cat, your body suddenly exhibits reactions that can either range from mild to severe. As a cat lover, this is extremely frustrating not to mention how many tissue rolls you need to consume!

Luckily, a proper diagnosis can be done if you contact your doctor immediately, but when should you do so? Here are the common signs and symptoms that would tell you that you have to see your physician:

Nasal congestion and facial pain
Runny and stuffy nose
Wheezing
Chest tightness
Coughing
Sneezing
Skin rashes or hives
Red, itchy, and watery eyes
Shortness of breath

For every pet lover, please know that allergies might not immediately show. They develop over time until they finally get you to experience the possible allergic reactions listed above. To avoid worsening your condition, proper diagnosis and treatment must be done right away. In severe cases, some patients can experience life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

2 Tests to Determine if Your Cornish Rex Triggers the Allergies

In dealing with your allergy, you have to know the root cause first. One mistake many cat owners usually commit is by blaming the cat right away when allergy symptoms arise only to find out that the triggers come from other sources.

To be able to know the true cause, here are the tests you can undergo to check if you have cat allergies:

Type of Tests	Method
Intradermal Skin Test	A disposable plastic device containing a diluted allergen will be used to prick the surface of the skin.
Prick/Puncture Test	Using a small, thin needle, a diluted allergen will be injected below the skin surface.

Whichever test is conducted, a 15-minute observation will follow to see if there will be any reactions that may show on the skin. Any raised, red, and itchy bumps will indicate that there are allergy antibodies. The larger they look, the greater the sensitivity.

Please be advised to always go for trained practitioners who know the process very well prior to conducting any of the allergy tests such as:

Reviewing your medical history and immediately performing a physical exam after.
Letting a trained staff perform the allergy test under the supervision of a doctor or an allergist.
Reading and grading the level of response of the test.

Potential risks of skin tests are as follows:

Inaccurate results
Overprescription of medications or treatments
Overdiagnosis

Treatments for Cat Allergies

For most of us, rehoming our Cornish Rex is not on the top list. Many would rather look for other options to deal with their allergy rather than lose their beloved companion. Avoiding the presence of allergens sure is a good idea, but when that becomes impossible, here are a few things that will come in handy:

Over-the-counter decongestant spray products
Immunotherapy or also known as allergy shots for allergy desensitization
Cromolyn sodium to reduce allergy symptoms
Corticosteroid nasal sprays
Antihistamines such as Benadryl, Claritin, or Cetirizine

Take note that these are just the possible products you can rely on once allergy kicks in. However, there is no greater substitute than receiving proper and suitable medications tailored by the doctor himself.

6 Tips for Allergic Owners Who Want to Keep Their Cornish Rex Cat

Many will argue that the best thing to do to avoid the symptoms of cat allergies is to give up your Cornish Rex pet. Of course, this is not an easy thing to do at all, especially if you have already considered him as part of the family. Thankfully, there are easy things you can do so you won’t have to get separated from this little feline.

Here are the pet allergy tips that will surely save the relationship between you and your Cornish:

Use HEPA Filters. Danders are very light and airy and HEPA filters are the sure tool to eliminate these tiny, airborne pollutants.

Keep your Cornish Rex off your Bedroom. It would be a nightmare if you end up wheezing in the middle of the night due to allergies. To guarantee a peaceful, uninterrupted sleep, never let your Cornish in your private sanctuary.

Enjoy doing housework. Regularly vacuuming the place and washing rugs can create a significant difference in the number of present allergens inside your home. Many pet owners who have sensitivity issues consider this as a huge step to managing danders.

Ready your medications. For emergency purposes, it is always much better to have over-the-counter products ready. Allergies may show when you least expect them, so to avoid worst-case scenarios, be ready with your war against allergens.

Wash your hands. After handling your Cornish Rex, avoid touching your face without washing your hands. If you bathe your cat, be sure to use protective gear. Additionally, it is recommended that you designate a few pet clothes you can wear during your bonding moments with your kitty.

Consider getting the allergy shots. This is perhaps the best method you must think through if you want to be around pets, specifically cats in a long-term period. Allergy shots are also called allergy vaccines. Over time, your body will develop protective antibodies that will eventually make you immune from your hypersensitivity.

Getting a Cornish Rex can greatly improve your quality of life whether you have pet allergies or not. By simply calculating the available methods you can use to manage your hypersensitivity, living with this cat is very much possible! Don’t let your allergies keep you from getting a wonderful Cornish kitten. Once you have one at your home, you will surely realize that owning a cat such as this is indeed unregrettable even for allergy sufferers!