Hypoallergenic Cats

If you are a cat enthusiast that suffers from allergies to felines, the dream of having a loving cat companion may still become a reality depending on the severity of your allergies and your reaction to certain breeds or genetically bred hypoallergenic cats.

Hypoallergenic cats

When the word hypoallergenic is used in reference to cats, it is often thought that a person that suffers from allergies to cats will not have an allergic reaction to a so-called hypoallergenic feline. Sadly, this is not always the case.

The prefix hypo means below, under or less than. When a cat is said to be hypoallergenic, it means it is less likely the cat will produce an allergic reaction in some people. It does not mean the cat is non-allergic.

The source of cat allergies in humans is in a minuscule glycoprotein called Fel D1. This protein is produced in the cat’s saliva, its urine and the sebaceous glands of its skin.

The allergens are spread from the cat’s saliva onto its fur as it grooms itself. Once the saliva dries on the fur, it mixes with the cat’s dander. When the tiny particles come in contact with someone that has an allergy to cats, the person experiences an allergic reaction.

The question of whether or not certain cat breeds are non allergenic or hypoallergenic is the subject of debate among many cat enthusiasts. It is known that different breeds of cats have different levels of the glycoprotein Fel D 1, the allergen that causes cat allergies in people.

There are several breeds that are known to cause less of an allergic reaction to certain people that suffer from cat allergies.

• The Siberian cat is believed to produce less of the Fel D 1 allergens than other cat breeds.
• The Devon Rex, the Cornish Rex and the LaPerm Rex have fewer coat hairs, providing less area for the Fel D 1 proteins to become trapped. Although Rex cats do lose some hair, they do not shed heavily like other cats.
• Almost completely hairless, the Sphynx cat does secrete the Fel D 1 allergen.
• Russian Blue cats are also believed to secrete less Fel D 1 glycoproteins.

Allerca - Lifestyle Pets is a company that breeds and sells hypoallergenic dogs and cats. Started in 2004, Lifestyle Pets delivered the first kitten to a client two years later. Since then, they have gone on to develop two additional types of cats and a dog.

Using the scientific technology of gene sequencing and careful breeding programs, Lifestyle Pets successfully developed cats with naturally occurring genetic divergences. These cats have a different version of the allergen-causing glycoprotein that causes an allergic reaction in most allergy sufferers.

Lifestyle Pets claims a 95 percent success rate of providing their clients with cats that don't trigger allergic reactions. Clients that experienced an allergic reaction are said to be extremely allergic to cats and are believed to have had a reaction to an allergen other then FEL D1.

The Allerca GD (genetic divergences) are Lifestyle Pets' standard cat. With a medium-long hair coat that is low maintenance, Allerca GDs are available in all colors and patterns. These playful and affectionate felines are medium-sized, weighing between 10 and 15 pounds. The cost of the Allerca GD is $6,950.00.

With a price tag of $16,900.00, the Chakan GD cat was developed by crossing a distinctive pedigree Siamese cat with an Allerca GD. The beautiful, intelligent cat has blue almond shaped eyes and a short, flat cream colored coat with colored points on its:

• Ears
• Snout
• Paws
• Tail
• Lower legs

Very social and playful, the Chakan GD is a lightweight cat weighing between six to eight pounds.

Looking like a small leopard, the Ashera GD is a large cat weighting approximately 25 pounds. These beautiful cats are said to be the rarest cat in the world and have a price of $37,000.00.

Low allergen and hypoallergenic cats may be the answer for many allergy sufferers who dream of sharing their life with a feline friend, but it's clear prospective owners will have to pay a hefty price for that pleasure.

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