Persian cats are extremely popular, and allergies will concern many would-be owners. But are Persian cats hypoallergenic?
No, Persian cats are not hypoallergenic.
Persian cats, like all cats, produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur and urine. This protein is what triggers allergic reactions in humans.
Table of Contents
- Why Do Persian Cats Cause Allergies?
- How To Own A Cat When You’re Allergic?
- How To Minimise Allergic Reactions?
- Is Any Cat Breed Hypoallergenic?
- Are Persian Cats Hypoallergenic? Summary
Why Do Persian Cats Cause Allergies?
Persian cats, like all cats, produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur and urine. This protein is what triggers allergic reactions in humans.
Persian cats have different fur patterns based on the positioning of their stripes, and all of them have distinctive “M” markings on their forehead associated with tabby cats.
When cats shed fur, groom themselves and use the litter tray, they spread the Fel d1 protein around your home, which can cause allergies if you come into contact with it.
There are also miniature or “Teacup” Persian cats which are similar but bred to be much smaller. Read more about them here.
How To Own A Cat When You’re Allergic?
You cannot control how much Fel d1 protein your cat produces, but you can limit how much it spreads around your home.
One of the main ways it is spread around is by your cat shedding.
The amount your cat sheds will depend on their breed and factors such as their diet, health, the season and other reasons explained below.
Long-haired cats tend to shed less than short-haired breeds. Gaining longer-haired cats can be more challenging as their fur easily tangles.
Short-haired cats tend to shed more but are much easier to groom.
There are ways in which you can try to reduce the amount your cat sheds:
Brushing Helps With Shedding
Brushing your cat is one of the best ways to reduce excessive shedding.
Brushing regularly removes longer hairs and ones ready to fall out anyway. This will prevent fur falling on your carpet, furniture and clothing.
Cats will need brushing in different amounts depending on their breed.
Brushes We Recommend
These brushes are very effective and a favourite for cats who dislike brushing. They are the perfect size, remove a good amount of fur and leave your cat’s fur soft and fluffy.
For cats that don’t like regular brushes, these gloves can be helpful to get your cat used to being groomed.
Diet
Cats should always be fed a quality, balanced diet.
Although the most readily available cat food will have a suitable balance of ingredients, it is still possible for cats to become deficient in specific nutrients. Vitamins A, E and B are necessary to produce and maintain healthy fur; when a cat does not get enough of these, it can shed more than usual.
All cats need plenty of protein to maintain healthy fur. Some dry foods have less protein than wet foods, which often have a higher meat content. If your cat is shedding excessively, switching to a mix of wet and dry food or entirely to wet food could improve this.
Many different food options are available, so experimenting with different ones can help find the right food for your cat to improve their coat and reduce shedding.
Stress and Shedding
If your cat is stressed, it may shed large amounts of fur in clumps.
There are many reasons your cat could be stressed, and it doesn’t always mean something is medically wrong with your cat.
Cats can become stressed from changes in location. Bringing a new cat into your home can be a stressful time. Read here for tips on how to introduce a new cat into your home. This is especially true for rescue cats with existing issues or troubled pasts.
Loud noises can be stressful for cats. This can include loud music, excessive traffic noise and thunderstorms. It can be helpful to try and reduce background noise if you notice your cat is shedding lots of fur.
How To Minimise Allergic Reactions?
Change clothing and bedding regularly
If your cat sleeps on your bed, then stopping this will make a big difference for allergy sufferers.
Washing and changing the bedding and your clothing often will also help.
Vacuum regularly
Removing cat hair and other particles from your floors and surfaces will help prevent a build-up of allergens for you to come into contact.
Clean out litter tray often
Outdoor cats may not use a litter tray, but if they do, or your cat is an indoor cat, cleaning out their litter tray often will reduce the allergens in the area and avoid them getting carried through the house.
Wash hands regularly
Cleaning hands often will reduce the spread of allergens onto your household items.
Use an air filter
Air purifiers remove harmful particles and flying loose hair from the air before they can settle on your clothes, furniture, or bedding.
In our view, Philips make the best air filters. The Philips 3000i continuously detects and removes allergens from the air and is exceptionally effective with high-grade HEPA filters to remove 99.97% of airborne allergens, pollen, dust and other particles.
Philips air filters are expensive, and a more budget-friendly option would be this model from Levoit
Change carpets to solid flooring
If you have a Persian cat, you’ll know that a lot of the hair they shed ends on the floor. Carpets can hold and build up hair and other particles, which build up much more than with solid floors.
Even vacuuming often doesn’t remove all of this from the carpet easily, so while an extreme step, changing for solid floors could be an option for an allergy sufferer that wants to keep cats.
If you have carpets in your home, it will seem like no matter how much you vacuum, the hair doesn’t go away!
That’s where a handheld carpet scraper comes in handy. This little tool will easily brush all of the cat hair out of your carpet so you can vacuum it up. You will be amazed at how easy it is and how much hair appears when you use it.
Read this article for more about why cats shed and how to minimise it.
Is Any Cat Breed Hypoallergenic?
No cat breed is entirely hypoallergenic, but some breeds such as Siberian cats, produce less Fel d1 protein and can be better for people with cat allergies.
There are also some breeds of cats which shed less fur than others. These can be better choices for people with allergies.
Cat Breeds Which Shed Less
Are Persian Cats Hypoallergenic? Summary
Persian cats are not hypoallergenic.
Persian cats, like all cats, produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur and urine. This protein is what triggers allergic reactions in humans. They are no different to other cats in producing this protein.
Persian cats are a specific breed with a fur pattern associated with the group of tabby cats (read more about tabby cats here).
There are also miniature or “Teacup” Persian cats which are similar but bred to be much smaller. Read more about them here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Persian cats are not considered hypoallergenic and can potentially trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. They produce allergenic proteins in their saliva and dander, which can cause allergic reactions. However, the degree of reaction can vary from person to person. Some individuals with allergies may tolerate Persian cats better than other breeds. Still, spending time with the specific cat and assessing your sensitivity before deciding is important.
While there is no truly hypoallergenic cat, some breeds are known to produce fewer allergenic proteins or shed less dander, making them potentially more suitable for people with allergies. Examples of cat breeds often considered more hypoallergenic include the Balinese, Russian Blue, Sphynx, and Devon Rex. However, it’s important to note that individual reactions can still vary, and spending time with the specific breed is recommended before making a decision.
Persian cats, like other cat breeds, can potentially trigger asthma symptoms in individuals with asthma or respiratory sensitivities. The allergenic proteins in their saliva, dander, and urine can trigger asthma. Suppose you have asthma or are prone to respiratory issues. In that case, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional and consider your sensitivities before deciding to live with a Persian cat or any other pet.
Some potential disadvantages of owning Persian cats include their high grooming needs due to their long fur, potential health issues associated with their facial structure (such as eye and breathing problems), the need for regular baths and eye cleaning, and the risk of matting if their coats are not properly maintained. Their long fur can also be prone to collecting dirt and debris, requiring more cleaning and maintenance.
Living with a cat if you are allergic depends on your allergies’ severity and ability to manage them. While some individuals with mild allergies can coexist with cats by implementing allergy management strategies such as regular cleaning, using air purifiers, and minimizing exposure, others with more severe allergies may find it challenging or not recommended. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional and consider your allergies and sensitivities before deciding.
Persian cats are known for their calm and gentle nature; many enjoy affection and cuddling. However, individual personalities can vary, and not all Persian cats may be equally inclined to cuddle. It’s important to understand and respect the preferences and boundaries of each cat and provide them with a comfortable and safe environment where they can choose to engage in cuddling or other forms of interaction on their terms.