Many allergy suferers who never thought they would be able to live with a cat have found success with the Siberian breed of cats. Siberians are known to have lower levels of the Fel d1 protien in their saliva which has earned them the repuation of being hypoallergenic. And although this is true, it is important to keep in mind that there are many contributing factors to why humans have allergic reactions to cats – the Fel d1 protein is simply put the most common reason.
Feline allergen (Fel d1) is found only in cats and accounts for up to 60% of cat allergies. Typical reactions to the allergen vary, but includes symptoms ranging from mild runny nose and itchy eyes, to severe reactions such as swollen eyes, hives or difficulty breathing. Individuals allergic to cats and not other animals are usually allergic only to Fel d1.
Fel-d1 is produced by lacrimal, salivary, sebaceous, and perianal glands. During grooming, Fel-d1 from saliva becomes airborne. Allergen from the skin glands stays on the fur and is easily transferred to clothing, carpet, and upholstery. Litter boxes often contain the highest amount of Fel d1, as the highest concentrations are found in the anal glands.
Research on saliva testing has shown that intact adult males produce the hightest amount of Fel d1, while spayed/neutered cats would comparatively have lower levels. In addition to the hormonal influence, stress levels can also increase the levels of Fel d1 produced. Therefore, the stress of a kitten aclimating to their new home will likely cause higher levels of Fel d1 than normal.
Having said all that, remember that regardless of how low their Fel d1 levels are, there is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic cat. There will always be variation in Fel d1 from cat to cat and even from kittens within the same litter.
If you have allergies and are considering a Siberian cat or kitten from us, please fill out the allergy questionnare so that we can better advise you on your options.