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Myths Around The Hypoallergenic Cat

By Steven Wright


Cats have been at the company of man since time in memorial. They mostly provide companionship and eat rats, which may be destructive. However, there are some people, who cannot withstand the sight of them, because they develop medical conditions. This includes sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and skin swelling, which are minor allergic reactions. Major ones such as asthma attacks are possible if the minor conditions persists. However, some have been discovered to have little or no allergic reactions and are called hypoallergenic cat.

Cats like to lick themselves in order to clean their fur and also to keep it moist. However, even the best of intention can bring great harm. The saliva contains a protein component that has been found out to cause these reactions to man, but are harmless to the cat. The component can get into the human body through a puncture wound by a claw of the cat, saliva when it comes in contact with the skin and inhaled to the respiratory tract once the saliva solidifies to form minute particles called flakes.

The level of tolerance differs from individual to the other. It is possible for the proteins to come in contact with an allergic person, but the health effects are lesser. This is because some people have a strong immune system, which may tolerate the pathogens, even if he is sensitive. If a person has a weak one, he can get a booster shot to supplement his.

Observing cleanliness has been found to play a role. Both the pet and house have to be clean regularly to reduce the amount of flakes deposited. If not, then it would accumulate; hence, increasing chances of an allergic reaction. You need to wash all the clothes or places that the cat has come in contact with and purify the air to improve the quality of air.

How often you come in contact with the cat can influence the possibility of getting a reaction. If you get to spend more time with your pet, chances are high that the proteins will enter the body. They can enter through a wound, inhaling, and through skin from saliva. Try to minimize the occurrences of your pet touching sensitive and soft parts of skin that can allow entry of pathogens.

A person, who is more allergic, is advised to have a cat with less fur. It is not possible to prevent the pet from licking itself, since it is a function that enables it to moisten the fur and remove dirt. Since the fur holds the saliva and the protein component, then it will be logical to say that the more the fur, the more saliva contained; hence, more pathogens.

The genetic components of a particular cat affect the reaction. It is possible to find a cat that produces less amount of saliva and also lesser of the fel d1 protein. This simply means that the allergens will be secreted, but at small quantities; thus, little reaction. However, if the proteins find a direct entry into the bloodstream, then slight allergies may be experienced.

In conclusion, there have not been many discoveries on cats, and this makes it difficult to explain why and how certain behavioral traits came into existence, but with time research will change such.




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