Are Siberian Cats Hypoallergenic?

Are you allergic to cats?

Is there any help out there for for people who have allergic reactions to cats but still want to own one as a pet? "Allergies" may trace back to the dawn of civilization, but scientific what happens in an allergic reaction and what can be done about it, is very recent.

Are Siberian Cats Hypoallergenic?

With this beautiful breed, that seems to be the question on everyones mind. Fortunately, the answer for most people will be yes, they are :)

Cat Allergies - Fact and Fiction:

It is common misunderstanding that it is the fur of thecats that causes the allergies.... Actually its the proteins that are produced by the animal that cause allergies! Cats produce a protein called Fel-Dh1. This is the protein that causes 85% of the allergies that people allergic to cats suffer from. The Hypoallergenic Siberian Cat produces FAR less Fel-Dh1 than the average cat. Seventy to Ninety percent of the population that has cat allergies will most likely be able to live in a house with a Siberian Cat :)

The average cat produces 63,000 micrograms of Fel-Dh1, it is estimated that the female Siberian produces approximately 200 micrograms of Fel-Dh1 per gram.

The protein is given off when the cat licks or cleans itself and then the dried saliva flakes off, contrary to popular believe it is not the dander of the cat that is the allergy causer. With that said a Siberian Cat also produces much less dander because they have an "oil" based skin. They are much less dry and their skin flakes much less.

There is also some great research done on families that have cats and asthma in the family. Studies show that families with pets, cats & dogs have children that have much less allergies to all things not only animal's then families without pets. There are also studies that show a child with a pet is less likely to be sick and miss school then a child without one.