16.08.2022

Is there a fully hypoallergenic Siberian cat? A compact guide for cat allergy sufferers

Siberian cats are playful, affectionate, and low-maintenance, so they are perfect companions for almost everyone. But, if you or someone in your household suffers from cat allergies, you must think twice before adopting this or any other kitty.

A hypoallergenic Siberian cat would imply the feline secretes minimal allergen compounds, which are found in high quantities in an average feline’s saliva, fur, dander, and urine. In this guide, we’ll learn:

• Is a Siberian cat hypoallergenic?
• Does this breed’s shedding pattern impact its hypoallergenic status?
• How can one tame allergies reactions while living with cats?

We’ll also check out cat food products that help minimise dander production by keeping a cat’s coat in tip-top condition.

Are Siberian cats hypoallergenic?

Approximately 10%–20% of people in the UK are allergic to cats. Feline salivary, anal, and sebaceous glands emanate about ten different allergens, but most humans react to Fel d 1. In a study conducted on kids and adults suffering from cat allergies, over 94% of the participants experienced sensitivity to Fel d 1 and not the other cat allergens (like Fel d 2, Fel d 3, and Fel d 4).

The genes Ch1 and Ch2 in felines are responsible for making Fel d 1. Siberian cats are sometimes classified as hypoallergenic cats because their Ch1 and Ch2 genes have mutated considerably to produce a negligible amount of Fel d 1. Keep in mind that a hypoallergenic kitty only means a low-level allergenic cat—as it’s impossible to eliminate all the allergens they release.

Some other low-allergen cat breeds include:

• Russian Blue
• Burmese
• Cornish Rex
• Devon Rex
• Selkirk Rex
• Siamese
• Balinese
• Oriental Shorthair
• Bengal
• Javanese

Sphynx cats are also appropriate for allergy sufferers as they are hairless and produce less dander. People with cat allergies should avoid breeds like the Maine Coon, Persian, Ragdoll, British Shorthair, Himalayan, and Norwegian Forest cat.

I swear I never made my hooman sneeze. Must be those wildflowers!

Source: Sunykiller

Can you still have Siberian cat allergies?

The level of allergens produced by different Siberian cats may vary. In a study conducted on 300 Siberian cats, it was found that more than half of the felines had significantly lower allergen count than street cats. Quite a few kitties had exceptionally low allergen levels, and a small sample showed a high allergen count.

Most people with severe cat allergies don’t react to Siberian cats unless a feline licks them or rubs against them excessively. You should talk to the breeder or the shelter manager and request a few sittings with the kitty you intend to adopt. This will enable you to assess your sensitivity to the particular cat before making the final decision. People with a history of severe reactions should talk to their doctors before adopting a cat.

Watch out for periods when a Siberian cat may not be non-allergenic

Keep in mind that Siberian cats, like other low-allergenic breeds, may exude more Fel d 1 during specific times, namely:

• During pregnancy—Studies have found that Siberian female cats tend to produce higher concentrations of allergens, especially during the last stage of the pregnancy and early nursing period
• Throughout kittenhood—Adult Siberians may be low-allergy cats, but Siberian kittens tend to secrete more Fel d 1 because the protein plays a crucial role in the early development of kittens
• During shedding seasons—All cats release allergen-loaded hair and dander into the environment when they shed. Because Siberian cats originate from cold regions, they have three dense layers of fur that they shed twice a year. They’ll lose their long winter coat during spring and their short summer coat as fall sets in. Allergic cat parents must meticulously groom their felines during these seasons to minimise their exposure to the allergen

Keep in mind that Fel d 1 has been found in a feline’s reproductive hormones and pheromones, so cats tend to have lower levels of allergens in their fur and dander after sterilisation.

Common symptoms you may expect during high-allergen periods

You may experience the following mild to moderate symptoms—depending on the severity of your cat allergy—when your Siberian cat releases more allergens:

These symptoms are manageable with over-the-counter or prescription allergy meds and nasal sprays. Many people also go for allergy immunotherapy treatments to build antibody-based resistance to Fel d 1 over time, but you need to talk to a medical professional about that. Avoid being near a Siberian cat if you get severe respiratory symptoms like wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, asthma attacks, and anaphylaxis.

Hey there, hooman! Me a fluffball. Also cuddly and sneeze-free. Would you take me home?

Source: odinin_viikinki

Living with a Siberian cat—tips for allergy sufferers

Since Siberian cats are low-allergenic, living with them should be easy if you limit your exposure to dander. Here’s what you can do:

1. Personal preventive measures
2. Household maintenance
3. Feline grooming and nutrition

Personal safety measures while living with Siberian and other hypoallergenic cats

Here are some tips that can help you avoid allergic reactions to your furry friend:

1. Train your Siberian kitty not to lick you or cuddle with you excessively
2. Don’t stroke your pet when tit’s warm to avoid contact with sweat (Siberian cats are super fluffy and tend to sweat and lick themselves a lot on hot days)
3. Refrain from touching your eyes, nose, or face after playing with your kitty
4. Wash your hands or clean them with allergen wipes after touching your cat
5. Clean their litter tray regularly (urine and poo are full of Fel d 1)
6. Use gloves and a mask while gardening if your Siberian cat does their business outside
7. Wash your clothes, bed sheets, etc. with an allergen-removing laundry detergent to eliminate accumulated dander

Siberian cats and allergies—keep your house clean

Focus on keeping your living space free from Fel d 1. Here’s what you can do to remove the allergen:

Are those dog grooming tools? Can’t say I’m not offended, hooman.

Source: monster_thesiberian

How to keep dander under control with appropriate feline care

Regular grooming sessions are essential in minimising your exposure to the allergen. Pay special attention to the following:

1. Coat care—A Siberian cat’s coat is not too hard to maintain despite being long and thick. You must brush it once or twice a week to keep it healthy. Increase the frequency when your kitty begins to shed. Bathe them only when necessary, although these cats, like Bengals and Ragdolls, love frolicking in water 
2. Nutrition plan—A Siberian cat needs food rich in proteins and healthy fats (like Omega-3 fatty acids) to maintain a lustrous coat. You should stick to their natural diet of whole meat, which contains suitable amounts of all proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals that strengthen fur roots. A lean-meat diet can also prevent many health issues that cause shedding and excessive dander production, such as:
1. Hyperthyroidism
2. Feline diabetes
3. Gastrointestinal issues (vomiting, diarrhoea, etc.)
3. Food allergies—Siberian cats shed profusely and throw up often if they eat something they’re allergic to. Some potentially harmful allergens for this breed can be:
1. Milk and dairy products (cheese, ice cream, yoghurt, etc.)
2. Beef
3. Grains (corn, rice, and wheat)
4. Histamine-rich food like bacon, avocado, and chocolate
5. Chemical preservatives and artificial taste enhancers (found in dry and wet food)

What to feed a Siberian cat for minimal shedding?

The best food for a Siberian cat would be a product with:

1. More than 50% protein
2. About 20% good fat
3. Under 3% carbohydrates

Subpar and inadequate ingredients in cat food not only aggravate shedding and hairball problems and trigger severe health issues like diabetes, obesity, UTIs, cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and pancreatitis.

Pay attention to the protein source in cat food—it should be whole meat, not nondescript ingredients like chicken digest, bone meals, or plant and insect proteins.

Stop dander in its tracks—use whole meat products from Untamed to keep your Siberian’s coat strong and gleaming!

Image (c) Untamed

Keep dander under control with Untamed

If you’re looking for vet-formulated cat food that nourishes your Siberian cat’s coat and overall health, go for Untamed jelly and gravy meals with:

• Human-grade whole meat—We choose the best cuts of human-grade, ethically-sourced whole meat for our dishes as it’s naturally infused with health-boosting micronutrients like taurine, selenium, and vitamin E
• Hypoallergenic ingredients—We skip known allergens to ensure kitties with stomach sensitivities or food allergies can keep their meals down. Untamed is also free from grains, dairy, sugar, vegan proteins, and meat derivatives

The protein content of our food is between 60% and 63%, which is one of the best you can find in the UK and twice more than what average products offer. Everyday consumption of our healthy meals will prevent unnatural shedding, extreme dander production, and gastrointestinal issues.

Will my kitty like Untamed?

You should get your Siberian used to wet food because biscuits are bad for their long-term health. If your kitty rejects wet food, the problem is usually not the texture but what’s in it. Fussy cats won’t touch anything that smells or looks funky.

Luckily, kitties of all breeds and ages adore Untamed, including sickly kittens or senior cats with a poor appetite. That’s because we steam our meat to keep it fresh, soft, and aromatic.

We prepare delicacies with chicken, liver, ham, duck, tuna, salmon, shrimp, sardines, and mackerel. Take our TRY NOW quiz to create a customised meal plan for your kitty—you can order our taster pack at the best price!

The best cat food looks and feels like meat because it is meat!

Image (c) Untamed

Untamed kitties have fluffy, healthy coats for life!

Untamed will support your Siberian cat during their entire life. Serve our food in appropriate portions to:

• Boost the development of kittens
• Keep indoor cats lean and active
• Manage weight and gastrointestinal issues in senior cats

Opt for our monthly subscription because it's reliable and convenient. Here’s what our regular clients have noticed after switching their feline companions to Untamed:

The good life is getting monthly meal boxes tailored to my special preferences!

Image (c) Untamed

Get the Untamed trial pack!

Use our online ordering system to get our delicacies delivered to your doorstep in a day. Start with the trial pack—here’s how:

1. Complete our TRY NOW quiz
2. Make a tailored meal plan
3. Place the order

Our shipping is free, and you can modify, cancel, or postpone an order at your convenience. You’ll get a fresh batch delivered around the same date each month.

Untamed is an eco-friendly business. We are carbon-footprint-neutral and use 100% recyclable packaging for our cans and delivery cartons.