| Siberian Cats: Hypoallergenic Or Hype? |
Many people are drawn to the Siberian by the ‘fact’ that
they are a ‘hypoallergenic’ cat. This is actually a MYTH
they are a ‘hypoallergenic’ cat. This is actually a MYTH
FACT – They are NO completely hypoallergenic cats. Because of people's affection for the
feline, scientists with a corporation (Allerca) believe they can now genetically engineer a cat
that is "completely non-allergenic". You can start by putting your name on a waiting list with
the company, and the purchase price is a mere $6,000 plus (yes, that is 4 zeros). Some
sites I have checked now say the kitten price is only about $3,500, plus nearly $1000
transport by private jet.
feline, scientists with a corporation (Allerca) believe they can now genetically engineer a cat
that is "completely non-allergenic". You can start by putting your name on a waiting list with
the company, and the purchase price is a mere $6,000 plus (yes, that is 4 zeros). Some
sites I have checked now say the kitten price is only about $3,500, plus nearly $1000
transport by private jet.
FACT – Siberian cats are possibly the LEAST allergenic of all the domestic felines that
have fur. There is not nearly enough research to even begin to make conclusions about the
Siberian’s hypoallergenic status, although some Siberian breeders are attempting to gather
some scientific data on this currently.
What we DO know is that cat dander is the trigger for a large number of allergy sufferers.
This cat 'dander' is created when a cat cleans itself with its saliva. ALL breeds of cats
have saliva is partly composed of a protein - FeL d1 - which is the culprit to the victim's
allergic reaction. Siberians are thought to have very low production of this particular
protein than other cat breeds. This was determined by a non-formal done in an independent
lab in Virginia. The study tested the following felines, with results noted:
#1 (male, neutered, mixed breed) 62,813
#2 (male, neutered, Siberian) 2001
#3 (female, Abysinnian, neutered) 384.50
#4 (female, neutered, Siberian) 205.50
(Measurements are mg/g of sample)
From the results, you note that Siberian's have much less FeL D1 protein than a mixed
breed cat, and that the female Siberian and Abyssinian spayed female have lower levels
than a neutered Sib male. What conclusions can we draw from this??? Nothing. More
formal and rigorous studies have to be done and repeated with large numbers of cats.
Some breeders and researchers say it hasn't been proven that FeL D1 is the culprit, but
possibly the Siberians top coat, which has an oilier quality, somehow suppresses FeL D1 and
other proteins from becoming airborne when the cat cleans itself.
have fur. There is not nearly enough research to even begin to make conclusions about the
Siberian’s hypoallergenic status, although some Siberian breeders are attempting to gather
some scientific data on this currently.
What we DO know is that cat dander is the trigger for a large number of allergy sufferers.
This cat 'dander' is created when a cat cleans itself with its saliva. ALL breeds of cats
have saliva is partly composed of a protein - FeL d1 - which is the culprit to the victim's
allergic reaction. Siberians are thought to have very low production of this particular
protein than other cat breeds. This was determined by a non-formal done in an independent
lab in Virginia. The study tested the following felines, with results noted:
#1 (male, neutered, mixed breed) 62,813
#2 (male, neutered, Siberian) 2001
#3 (female, Abysinnian, neutered) 384.50
#4 (female, neutered, Siberian) 205.50
(Measurements are mg/g of sample)
From the results, you note that Siberian's have much less FeL D1 protein than a mixed
breed cat, and that the female Siberian and Abyssinian spayed female have lower levels
than a neutered Sib male. What conclusions can we draw from this??? Nothing. More
formal and rigorous studies have to be done and repeated with large numbers of cats.
Some breeders and researchers say it hasn't been proven that FeL D1 is the culprit, but
possibly the Siberians top coat, which has an oilier quality, somehow suppresses FeL D1 and
other proteins from becoming airborne when the cat cleans itself.
FACT: WHATEVER the mechanism is behind a person's allergies to cats, it has been noted
REPEATEDLY by Siberian breeders that allergy sufferers just don't seem to react to
Siberians; or that they react minimally. People who could never own cats before, could have
the joy of owning a cat and not be miserable. Hence the term ‘hypoallergenic’ became a part
of the Siberian’s allure, and an advertised plus for the breed. People who have been
breeding for years have numerous testimonials to the lower reactivity of this breed.
REPEATEDLY by Siberian breeders that allergy sufferers just don't seem to react to
Siberians; or that they react minimally. People who could never own cats before, could have
the joy of owning a cat and not be miserable. Hence the term ‘hypoallergenic’ became a part
of the Siberian’s allure, and an advertised plus for the breed. People who have been
breeding for years have numerous testimonials to the lower reactivity of this breed.
FACT – Cat dander is not the only problem causing allergies and reactive asthma. Cat
dander regularly flakes off the cat's fur and into the carpeting and furniture, where dust
mites feed off of it. (Don't worry - YOU slough off FAR more dead cells from your skin
and scalp than your cat). People typically are very allergic to the dust mites, or rather, the
dust mites, shall we say, excrement from feeding on the dander and cells. (I know,
disgusting little creatures). Thus, even with a "hypoallergenic" cat, it is EXTREMELY
necessary for allergy sufferers to keep on top of the cleanliness of your environment by
vacuuming and using air filters in the central air system. Also consider that dust from cat
litter can be a trigger to a reaction as well. There are low dust/low perfume products out
there for those individuals who are sensitive to the various litters.
dander regularly flakes off the cat's fur and into the carpeting and furniture, where dust
mites feed off of it. (Don't worry - YOU slough off FAR more dead cells from your skin
and scalp than your cat). People typically are very allergic to the dust mites, or rather, the
dust mites, shall we say, excrement from feeding on the dander and cells. (I know,
disgusting little creatures). Thus, even with a "hypoallergenic" cat, it is EXTREMELY
necessary for allergy sufferers to keep on top of the cleanliness of your environment by
vacuuming and using air filters in the central air system. Also consider that dust from cat
litter can be a trigger to a reaction as well. There are low dust/low perfume products out
there for those individuals who are sensitive to the various litters.
That is why we at Keitta Siberians, along with other responsible breeders, require a site
visit or an allergy test with fur sent to you (we use an exposed t-shirt method), through the
mail from our cats (the adults). Again, from Breeder's experience, different genetic lines
of Siberians tend to be more hypoallergenic than others. This also means you should allergy
test with the cattery where you are making the purchase. We believe that it is a disservice
to you and to your chosen kitten to send them to a home where within a week the kitten
needs returning to us.
visit or an allergy test with fur sent to you (we use an exposed t-shirt method), through the
mail from our cats (the adults). Again, from Breeder's experience, different genetic lines
of Siberians tend to be more hypoallergenic than others. This also means you should allergy
test with the cattery where you are making the purchase. We believe that it is a disservice
to you and to your chosen kitten to send them to a home where within a week the kitten
needs returning to us.
Therefore, a Siberian Cat is the best chance an allergy sufferer has to owning a cat that is
not genetically engineered - and THAT is a FACT.
not genetically engineered - and THAT is a FACT.
| Website promoting the genetically designed hypoallergenic cat as an FYI for the curious |
| References: |
Article questions validity and reliability of studies
touted by Allerca, most of which are unpublished.
touted by Allerca, most of which are unpublished.
We make other recommendations to allergy/asthma sufferers as well. For example,
wiping down your cat weekly with Pet Wipes to keep dander counts down. Don't let the
cat sleep on your face...OK, laugh if you will, but those of you who already own Siberians
know that their morning wakeup calls often involve any tactic to get your attention and
get you awake. Allergists recommend not having your cat/s sleep with you or be in your
bedroom at all. That would have to be a choice you make, and based on if you are slightly
reactive versus not at all. Other recommendations - there are sprays that can be
sprayed onto couches, rugs, bedding, etc., that inactivates the allergens related to dust
mites. Central airflow Hepa filters are important.
How can we at Keitta talk with such expertise about these things? Well, both of us are
allergy sufferers - have been all our lives. And we are allergic to cats, but have also
owned cats all our lives and put up with the inconvenience and sometimes misery
associated with this. However, since Siberians have come into our lives, the cats are not
the allergy trigger any longer.
wiping down your cat weekly with Pet Wipes to keep dander counts down. Don't let the
cat sleep on your face...OK, laugh if you will, but those of you who already own Siberians
know that their morning wakeup calls often involve any tactic to get your attention and
get you awake. Allergists recommend not having your cat/s sleep with you or be in your
bedroom at all. That would have to be a choice you make, and based on if you are slightly
reactive versus not at all. Other recommendations - there are sprays that can be
sprayed onto couches, rugs, bedding, etc., that inactivates the allergens related to dust
mites. Central airflow Hepa filters are important.
How can we at Keitta talk with such expertise about these things? Well, both of us are
allergy sufferers - have been all our lives. And we are allergic to cats, but have also
owned cats all our lives and put up with the inconvenience and sometimes misery
associated with this. However, since Siberians have come into our lives, the cats are not
the allergy trigger any longer.
May 23, 2008
| We allergy test at Keitta by asking you to send us a t-shirt, pillow case, handkerchief, or some item of clothing that you can wear for a day. Contact us for the address to send it to. We charge $25 for allergy testing (non-refundable - for return postage, gas, time). This amount is applied toward the purchase of a Keitta Kitten. We DO NOT do home visits for allergy testing. |
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