The Siberian Forest Cat is the ultimate hypoallergenic breed! This means that although there isn’t any recognized kitty that’s allergy-free yet, the Siberian cat, especially the male, produces fewer protein allergens compared to the levels a regular cat can trigger.
Photo from: finnandmarko (IG)In fact, a claim says that almost 75% of Siberian cat owners have reported that they haven’t had any reaction to their pets’ dander, saliva, or urine. Some cat fanciers consider this breed as the holy grail of all hypoallergenic cats. With that said, there is hope for all hypersensitive individuals who want to own a cat but are fearful of the potential risks. Keep reading to find out how this could be possible!
Do Siberian Cats Shed a Lot?
The shedding rate of the Siberian depends on the climate. During the spring season, expect him to gradually take off his winter coat. Before this period starts, you should have already prepared your HEPA filters and brushes to combat this excessive shedding. Fall season would also kick the Russian cat’s instinct to grow more fur in preparation for the winter weather, but before this, he would let go of his light summer coat.
Photo from: isabellathesiberianprincess (IG)In some cases, the weather isn’t the absolute predictor of when the cat would shed. If he is an indoor pet, the temperature inside can alter his shedding. One tip to control the presence of flying thin hair in the air is to keep your cat in cold temperatures.
Moreover, the other factors that can dictate the timing and the amount of his shedding would be his health and if he is neutered or spayed if it’s a female cat. If undergoing this surgical procedure has disturbed the hormonal balance in the cat’s body, excessive shedding might take place. As for the health factor, poor diet and stress are the top culprits.
How Hypoallergenic Is My Siberian Cat?
Very hypoallergenic! You might be wondering as to why despite the Siberian’s luscious and thick coat, he’s still voted as the best anti-allergic cat. Many of us presume that the causes of us having red and runny noses are due to the fur and dander that fill the air, but it is rather the Fel D1 allergen that sticks on these hairs that causes allergy symptoms. The obvious good news is that the Siberian has minimal amounts of it in contrast to other hypoallergenic breeds!
Photo from: lalathechampagnecat (IG)Understanding that each cat owner will always have a different experience with a Siberian cat, the truth is, out of all the available cats in the market, it is this Russian feline that can pose lesser threats against your health. If you have prepared yourself properly before actually living with a kitten of this kind, you are guaranteed to have a quality experience.
There are various ways to ensure that you bring home the right cat such as initially spending your time with him first to check which one works perfectly well with your particular allergy.
Why Can’t a Siberian Cat Trigger Allergies?
Photo from: steviethesiberian (IG)It is not absolute that whatever Siberian cat you pick, you are going to have one hundred percent no-allergy attacks. Siberians continue to produce at least 4 types of allergen (the most problematic is the Fel D1) in lower levels but these remain to vary according to their genetic makeup. If you happen to end up with a very hypoallergenic Siberian kitten, precautions still need to be executed to secure the well-being of your allergic family members.
On another note, the Siberian Forest cat, being the crowning glory of all non-threatening cat breeds when it comes to allergy sufferers, simply has the innate contributing factor to a successful and mutually healthy relationship with the owner. He is most likely not capable of causing you the dreaded symptoms of allergy as long as you do your part in maintaining the cleanliness of the environment at home.
The same can be applied in case you have other cat breeds. Other hypoallergenic ones we know of are:
- Cornish Rex
- Balinese Cat
- Devon Rex
- Russian Blue
- Oriental Shorthair
- Javanese Cat
Are Siberian Kittens More Anti-Allergenic Than Adults?
Photo from: dartagnan_cat (IG)They are! It is highly recommended that allergy sufferers who adore felines should go for a kitten. By resorting to this option, owners will have some time building up an immunity against the pesky cat allergy. Kittens could rarely groom themselves hence the allergen found in the saliva can’t be spread all over its body.
This, however, is a case-to-case basis. Depending on how you manage things with your cat and your allergy, you wouldn’t exactly know if you’ll have enough tolerance until your pet matures and starts grooming himself.
Is There Any Food That Can Reduce My Siberian Cat’s Allergen Production?
Photo from: arubana2000 (IG)A sudden breakthrough in the world of cats and allergy sufferers has emerged when the Pro Plan Liveclear cat food got introduced. This is considered a ‘revolutionary’ cat diet that promises to better the experience of owners with their cats. The 10-year research claims to lessen about 47% the amount of allergens a certain feline such as the Siberian would produce.
The reason why this cat food should replace regular kitty meals is because when your Siberian cat consumes a diet containing a specific protein that an egg has, the levels of irritant or allergen can significantly be reduced.
The egg ingredient would automatically inactivate at a certain rate the Fel D1 proteins found in the saliva. When the protein allergens get blocked, the saliva that gets transferred on the coat whilst grooming will most likely not interfere with anyone’s health.
On top of this great news, this cat food will not disrupt the normal physiology of your kitty.
9 Effective Ways to Stop Being Allergic to Cats
Putting aside the other things you can do for your Russian Siberian pet, it’s time to focus on what you can do to protect yourself against the potential harm cat allergy can cause you. There are numerous ways on how to do this. Here are the most essential rituals you should undergo:
- Wash your clothes regularly. By doing this, you are putting the annoying protein allergen under control. If you are cuddling with your cat very often, wearing tightly woven cotton fabrics instead of wool or polyester won’t easily trap fur and dander.
- Wash your hands after handling your cat. Since most of us frequently touch our faces, ensuring that our hands are sanitized would prevent us from inhaling the dander.
- Teach your Siberian other ways to show affection. Cats won’t ever know that something is wrong until you make them aware of their actions. Instead of letting him lick your skin endlessly with his allergen-filled saliva, educate him that he can also show love by rubbing his head gently on you.
- Ready the over-the-counter products. We won’t know when emergencies may occur so it’s always better to be prepared when it comes to alternative solutions. The moment cat allergy symptoms start showing, antihistamines such as Benadryl can alleviate them.
- Visit your doctor. Allergists can help you a great deal by using several optional procedures! For most people, the one that works best for them would be immunotherapy. Basically, what it does is either activate or suppress the immune system of the allergy sufferer.
Since not all allergy symptoms must be blamed directly on your Siberian pet, going to your healthcare professional can also aid you in rightly determining the true triggers.
- Use HEPA Filters and air filters. Use these life-saving equipment in rooms or places where your cat frequently hangs out! Most of these are very handy, so transferring either of them from one room to another won’t be an overwhelming task.
- Clean your fabric surfaces using the right products. Dryer sheets, duct tape, and pumice stones do a lot of wonders in keeping off your pet’s hair from certain areas. For furniture and carpets, a dryer sheet is suitable, pumice stones for carpets, and duct tape for any places you think have your cat’s fur on!
- When it comes to fabrics, those who have allergies must consider using taffeta, satin, and silk more often. These are excellent fur-repellants! Also, if you have items at home that are not that useful and might become a dander-magnet, getting rid of them or transferring them somewhere else would be a good idea.
- Never let your cat into your bedroom. Sad to say, but this is where your cat must never chill in! You spend more than 8 hours in this sanctuary where most of the things such as blankets and pillows are notorious for attracting cat hair. No matter how strong the urge is to let your Siberian kitty sleep with you, learn to draw boundaries. Just make it up for him once you’re out of the room.
4 Tips to Manage Your Siberian Cat’s Shedding
Photo from: bagelbitesnellabean (IG)The work of preventing allergies isn’t just done by the owner, of course! The cat must take part to keep his family members happy. Training him to participate during grooming time right when he is still a kitten can result positively once someone in the house eventually realizes he or she suffers from cat allergy.
Here’s why:
- Making your Siberian get used to being brushed regularly can help maintain his coat healthy. Not only that, but all of his hair falls would be taken off and properly disposed of. Allergy sufferers, as much as you can, let this task be done by someone else. If no one could help, wearing protective gear will do.
- Ensure that your Siberian feline has no skin infections. Dry skin can aggravate the condition of the moggy’s coat, thus more shedding would occur. Bringing him to the vet for treatment would stop this uncomfortable experience for your adorable kitty.
- Wash him regularly, but not too often! Convincing your cat that playing with water is fun can be quite challenging. However, getting your Forest cat into the bathtub can do wonders. Make sure you only use hypoallergenic shampoos and products which are also rich in Omega 3 fatty acids for a more vibrant and smooth coat. Avoid overwashing as this can cause dryness of the skin.
- Consult your vet if your Siberian kitty can use acepromazine. A diluted mixture of this combined in food and water is thought to reduce or remove entirely the amount of protein allergens in your cat’s body. Ask questions regarding the effectiveness, dosage, and side effects to ensure that your kitten’s health won’t be compromised.
Is It Worth Getting a Siberian Cat for Allergy Sufferers?
Generally, yes, it is worth getting a Siberian cat. He is one of the top choices of cat breeds that are highly considered by many cat lovers who, at the same time, are sensitive to the allergens produced by these cuties. Additionally, 1 out of 5 adults have this condition, yet there are countless success stories about allergic owners having the best relationship with their cat companions.
Indeed, there will always be risks, but these menaces are less likely to happen as long as you know what you’re getting into.
Researching more and understanding cat allergy as well as following the tips in this guide can make the impossible possible. Consult your doctor and contact the best reputable breeder before bringing home a lovely Siberian Kitten.
