Sphynx Cat

[BrewsterBear]

I'm very much a cat person and was brought up with them around the home. Unfortunately over the last few years I seem to have developed an allergy to some cats, akin to hayfever (which I also suffer badly from). My only pets since leaving home 10 years ago have been my tropical fish, but I think I'd rather like a cat. As I wouldn't want to risk taking on a lovely fluffy kitten and keeping it for life should I be allergic to it I'm rather taken with the idea of a Sphynx cat.

I'd prefer a female as I've always gotten on better with previous female cats. I know they're indoor cats and this is fine. It'd have the run of the house and a catflap through the backdoor into the conservatory for a litter box. I'm also aware they need to be kept warm. Other than that what is there to look out for? Are they happy as a solitary cat or do they prefer another as company? Prices seem to vary on whether it's GCCF registered or not. It wouldn't worry me too much as it'd be as a pet and not for breeding. Any advice from experienced owners is welcomed.

Cheers.

Edited by BrewsterBear on Sunday 21st August 11:40

[bexVN]

Some people develop allergies after time away from cats but they will disappear once they have prolonged contact again. Obviously it's impossible to know whether you'd be one of these but it's possible.

Sorry I know that doesn't really answer your question re: the breed you are looking into, I don't know much about them!

[monkey gland]

It's a myth that cat allergies are caused by their hair, it's actually the cat dander - minuscule flakes of dried skin that are shed and end up everywhere.

Sphynx cats are not hypo-allergenic and therefore there's no guarantee you'd be any better round them than any other cat, it could even be more acute due to more contact with their skin than a regular cat.

[Jasandjules]

I believe there are non-allergy producing cats which are specifically bred for that purpose, but they are fluffy.. They are expensive mind......

[bigandclever]

monkey gland said:

It's a myth that cat allergies are caused by their hair, it's actually the cat dander - minuscule flakes of dried skin that are shed and end up everywhere.

I thought it was (for want of a better term) cat spit and sebum that we're allergic to?

[Broomsticklady]

Check out Siberians - altho big and fluffy they are sposed to be less easy to be allergic to - to do with dander I believe.

[anonymous-user]

Broomsticklady said:

Check out Siberians - altho big and fluffy they are sposed to be less easy to be allergic to - to do with dander I believe.

Sibs, Norwegian Forest Cars and Maine Coons can all produce a lowered allergic reaction. We looked at a few breeds and our kids were least allergic to Maine Coons (although it can vary from breeder to breeder). After three weeks of having the cat at home, their allergic reactions had reduced to nil.

[Broomsticklady]

Mmm, I've got 3 NFCs and a Maine Coon and still end up handing out anti histamines to visitors so I'd not recommend them on allergy grounds - affection / hunting / looks, yes, allergy no!

[bexVN]

Broomsticklady said:

Mmm, I've got 3 NFCs and a Maine Coon and still end up handing out anti histamines to visitors so I'd not recommend them on allergy grounds - affection / hunting / looks, yes, allergy no!

It doesn't tend to work on short term visits. Most people with an allergy/ sensitivity need to be around the cat for a length of time (few weeks) for their reactions to decrease as the bodies histimine response settles down. Like a natural desens course

I have no idea re: the dander properties of individual breeds of cats but my guess is a cat sensitive person will still react initially but recovery response would be quicker if it's true these cats are better but not instant.

[GTIR]

Your situation was the same as mine op.
I has cats growing up and became allergic to them - sneezing, blocked noses, runny eyes etc - in fact I was seeing this girl who had two cats but I couldn't stay at the house as I'd be miserable and snotty.

I've had my Burmese for 20 months and apart from the first six weeks or so it's been fine. I'm also ok with other cats now.




(the cat lady however turned out to be a complete head case, and rubbish in bed)

[Skaffen]

bigandclever said:

monkey gland said:

It's a myth that cat allergies are caused by their hair, it's actually the cat dander - minuscule flakes of dried skin that are shed and end up everywhere.

I thought it was (for want of a better term) cat spit and sebum that we're allergic to?

I believe you're both right - it is the allergens in the spit and sebum deposited onto the cat's skin (and thus the dander) that trigger the reaction, but it's through the dander that we end up coming into contact with them.