Are Snowshoe Cats Hypoallergenic? Facts & FAQ

The attractive Snowshoe cat was developed in Pennsylvania. Two Siamese cats produced a litter of kittens for Dorothy Hinds Docherty within the Sixties, three of which had white toes. They began the Snowshoe cat, whose modern fur is just not hypoallergenic regardless of solely being a single coat.

The coat of the Snowshoe cat is superbly marked, and white is the predominant coloration. These single-coated cats are low-shedders, and their grooming necessities are minimal. Nonetheless, that doesn’t make them appropriate for allergy victims.

Whereas the decrease shedding of the Snowshoe could make them extra tolerable for individuals affected by pet allergy symptoms, they nonetheless produce the allergen that causes a response.

What Causes a Cat Allergy?

Cat allergy symptoms are sometimes considered brought on by cat fur, and single-coated, low-shedding, or hairless breeds are mislabeled as being hypoallergenic. This can be a widespread false impression; individuals with pet allergy symptoms are allergic to a protein within the cat’s saliva, sebum, and urine.

The Fel D 1 protein is the wrongdoer, which is discovered primarily within the sebaceous (sebum glands) and salivary glands of the cat. People produce a particular antibody to cat allergens known as IgE, which is triggered by the Fel D 1 protein. In individuals allergic to cats, this causes an immune response and a histamine launch; this course of causes the signs we affiliate with allergy symptoms.

Cat fur, dander (useless pores and skin), and saliva are what individuals most definitely come into contact with when interacting with cats. People who find themselves allergic to cats may even get a response from an atmosphere a cat has been in, because of fur and dander shedding! That’s the reason cats just like the Snowshoe (that shed lower than different breeds) are sometimes mistaken as hypoallergenic.

How Do I Know I’m Allergic to My Snowshoe Cat?

When you’ve been reacting to your Snowshoe or their fur, you would possibly wonder if or not you’re allergic to them. There are totally different signs individuals can present when affected by a cat allergy, starting from gentle to extreme.

There are therapies accessible when you endure from a cat allergy, however recommendation needs to be sought out of your physician when you’ve got any issues you is perhaps allergic.

The That means of Hypoallergenic

Hypoallergenic means “much less prone to trigger an allergic response.” That is totally different from anallergenic, which suggests “is not going to trigger an allergic response”. That is the place some individuals get confused when in search of cats which are good for allergy victims. Snowshoe cats usually are not hypoallergenic nor anallergenic (no cats are), and they’re prone to trigger a response in these with allergy symptoms.

Some breeds shed much less of the allergen than others, nonetheless. They produce much less Fel D 1 protein or shed much less dander, making them extra pleasant for people with cat allergies.

Why Are Snowshoe Cats Not Hypoallergenic?

Whereas they’re lovely and clever cats, Snowshoes can nonetheless have an effect on these with cat allergy symptoms. Snowshoes shed much less fur because of their single coats, however they nonetheless shed the allergen (Fel D 1), which reveals up in fur, dander, and saliva.

Ultimate Ideas

Snowshoe cats are modern and single-coated, they usually don’t have an underlayer of their fur. Whereas much less shedding makes cleansing up after them simpler, it, sadly, doesn’t cease them from producing the protein that causes reactions in individuals with cat allergy symptoms.

The Fel D 1 protein is produced in sebum and saliva glands in cats, and a few breeds (such because the Russian Blue) produce much less of the protein. Whereas no cats are really hypoallergenic, they’re extra appropriate for individuals with cat allergy symptoms!

Featured Picture Credit score: Aleksandar Nalbantjan, Shutterstock