Persian cats are not hypoallergenic breeds. These cats have a long coat that contains a high level of cat dander thus, not a good cat breed for people with allergies.
The Persian cat breed has a thicker coat, which implies that they will shed more during summer than other months. Also, they produce more proteins, like the Fel d 1 protein, than other breeds, which can cause allergies like a runny nose, sneezing and itchy eyes.
But remember, no cat breed is 100% hypoallergenic. Every cat breed tends to trigger allergic reactions in some way.
The Persian cat, however, is the worst offender. You will be required to groom your furry friend to prevent and combat the allergies.
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Why Aren’t Persian Cats Hypoallergenic?
The term “Hypoallergenic” refers to a pet animal that does not cause allergies to their human parents and other family members. These types of pet animals tend to shed little to nothing at all.
Therefore, no dander production will cause an allergic reaction to people who suffer from allergies. Hence, it becomes easy to maintain without taking any medication.
However, there is nothing like a 100% hypoallergenic cat breed. The cat dander and saliva happen to be the main source of allergies in people.
Keep in mind that controlling one’s allergies is a daunting thing. Cats tend to shed and leave dander all over the house. Getting rid of the cat dander is quite difficult.
Persian cats have longer and thicker fur coats, which tends to shed more frequently. It is the reason why these cats are considered non-hypoallergenic.
These cats have a double fur coat, which means they need to shed more since they have more hair. Shedding tends to happen more during summer than other cooler months.
Therefore, the Persian cat is not ideal for individuals who are highly susceptible to cat allergies. Cuddling and being around the cat breed is not advisable at all.
Hypoallergenic cats tend to shed little, and the dander normally has no great impact on their parents than that caused by Persian cats.
How Much Do Persian Cats Shed?
Persian cats tend to shed more frequently than even other cats. The coat of this cat breed is longer and thicker when compared to other breeds. A thick fur coat is a clear indication that your furry friend is going to shed more dander than other cat breeds.
All cats tend to lose their fur when playing, grooming and scratching themselves. The good news is that the fur tends to grow continually and replaces the old ones.
However, older Persian cats tend to shed more frequently since their coat becomes thinner and fall out more often. Besides that, less new hair grows to replace the falling one.
So, what about excessive shedding? Well, Persian cats tend to shed their fur, and this is regarded to be normal. Excessive shedding is an indication of health problems according to Hills Pet.
We recommend consulting your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. Another common cause of excessive shedding is poor diet and cat skin allergies.
You should note that Persian cats tend to shed more during summer. The aim is to keep cool due to the hot weather.
How to Prevent Triggering Cat Allergies: Six Things To Do
If you are slightly allergic to cats and you are not willing to give up, then be ready to pay the price. Here are tips on how to reduce cat allergies:
Bathing
Cats have the habit of grooming their skin with saliva, which contains a high amount of proteins. The macroparticles are responsible for the allergic reaction.
Bathing your canine friend happens to be the best option to contain excessive shedding and eliminate saliva from the fur coat. It is advisable to bathe your cat after eight weeks.
You should note that over bathing your furry friend is not advisable. Frequently bathing deprives the cat skin natural oil, leaving it itchy and flaky.
Grooming
Grooming is yet another crucial method of taking care of your cat. It tends to be soothing and relaxing. This technique allows your little friend to be cleaned properly.
We recommend taking the cat to a professional groomer in case you suffer from allergies. Your cat will be conditioned to get rid of excess dirt from the fur coat.
Grooming at home helps to get rid of loose hairs from the coat. It will help prevent spreading the cat’s dander all over the home.
Medication
Cat parents suffering from allergies should never give up their little friends. Several over the counter medications like antihistamines and nasal sprays can help lessen the effect caused by dander, saliva, and fur.
These medications help boost the healthy immune system, which will help reduce antihistamines’ frequent production.
Wash Your Hands
Persian cats love to be cuddled and played around by their owners. This implies that touching your cat is the order of the day.
We recommend using antibacterial soaps to wash your hands after play or cuddling your cat. The medicated soap will help to kill triggers that cause allergies.
Get a Separate Cat Bed
Persian cats are so loving. They tend to even sleep on the same bed with their parents. Hence, this might increase the chances of causing an allergic reaction to your cat.
Keeping your feline on a separate bed like this cushy one will help resolve the issue. Remember to clean your bed sheets and bed after the transfer.
Vacuum the House Regularly
These cats normally shed a lot of hair and leave dander all over the house. The dirt can flare up one’s allergies in the house.
The best solution is getting a powerful vacuum like this cordless one that can reach challenging points of the house. It is recommended to vacuum the house twice a week to make it habitable for people with a weak immune system.
Conclusion
Persian cats are very non-hypoallergenic. They tend to shed fur more often, causing an allergic reaction to their pet parents.
Family members or pet parents tend to suffer from cat allergies caused by dander and saliva that contain Fel d 1 protein.
However, the severity of cat allergies depends on the immune system of the pet parent. The good news is that most of these triggers can be reduced with the tips we gave in this article!