Siamese cats are extremely popular, and allergies will concern many would-be owners. But are Siamese cats hypoallergenic?
No, Siamese cats are not hypoallergenic.
Like all cats, Siamese cats produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur and urine. This protein is what triggers allergic reactions in humans.
Read on to learn more about why these cats cause allergies and how to prevent them!
Table of Contents
- Why Do Siamese Cats Cause Allergies?
- How To Own A Cat When You’re Allergic?
- How To Minimise Allergic Reactions?
- Are Any Cat Breeds Hypoallergenic?
- Final Thoughts
Why Do Siamese Cats Cause Allergies?
Like all cats, Siamese cats produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur and urine. This protein is what triggers allergic reactions in humans.
Siamese cats are a specific breed with a fur pattern associated with the group of tabby cats (read more about tabby cats here).
Siamese cats have different fur patterns based on the positioning of their stripes and all have the 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.
How To Own A Cat When You’re Allergic?
You cannot control how much Fel d1 protein your cat produces but you can limit the amount it is spread 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. However, grooming longer-haired cats can be more difficult 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 regularly is one of the best ways to reduce excessive shedding.
This will remove longer hairs and ones ready to fall out and prevent the fur from 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 a perfect size, remove a lot of fur and leave your cat’s fur soft and fluffy.
Gloves can be helpful to get your cat used to being groomed.
Diet
Cats should always be fed a quality, balanced diet.
Although 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 and when a cat does not get enough of these, they 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
A stressed cat 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 introducing a new cat into your home. This is especially true for rescue cats with issues or a troubled past.
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, 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 is extremely 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 Siamese cat, you’ll know that a lot of the hair they shed ends up on the floor. Carpets can hold and build up hair and other particles much easier than solid floors.
Even vacuuming often doesn’t remove all of this from 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 the cat hair out of your carpet so you can vacuum it up. You will be amazed at how easy it is to use and how much hair appears when you use it.
Read this article for more about why Siamese cats shed and how to minimise it.
Are Any Cat Breeds Hypoallergenic?
No cat breed is completely 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
Final Thoughts
Siamese cats are not hypoallergenic.
Like all cats, Siamese cats produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur and urine. This protein is what triggers allergic reactions in humans.
Siamese cats are a specific breed with a fur pattern associated with the group of tabby cats (read more about tabby cats here). They are no different to other cats in producing this protein.
Frequently Asked Questions
Siamese cats are not hypoallergenic but may produce fewer allergens than other cat breeds. Some individuals with allergies may have fewer allergic reactions or milder symptoms around Siamese cats. However, it’s important to note that individual allergies can vary, and not all allergy sufferers will have the same response to Siamese cats.
Siamese cats have short, fine coats that shed moderately. While they do shed, their shorter hair length may make it easier to manage than long-haired breeds. Regular grooming, such as brushing, can help reduce shedding and keep their coat in good condition.
Siamese cats can develop food allergies or sensitivities like any other cat breed. It’s important to provide them with a balanced and appropriate diet and monitor their response to different foods. If you suspect your Siamese cat has a food allergy, consult a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and guidance.
While Siamese cats have many positive traits, it’s also important to consider some potential cons. Siamese cats are often vocal and demand attention, which may not be suitable for all households. They can also have high energy levels and require mental and physical stimulation. Additionally, their social nature may make them prone to separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods.
The average lifespan of a Siamese cat is typically around 12 to 15 years. However, some Siamese cats can live in their late teens or early twenties with proper care, nutrition, and regular veterinary check-ups.
Siamese cats enjoy being picked up and held, especially if they strongly bond with their owner. However, individual preferences can vary, and some Siamese cats may be comfortable with being picked up or carried. It’s important to respect their boundaries and provide positive and gentle handling.
Related: Are Siamese Cats Affectionate?
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