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While Siberians are lower in feline allergens, no cat is fully
hypoallergenic. Even within the Siberian breed, there are major
differences in allergen levels. By selecting kitten from breeding
cats that have tested low for Fel d1, or by spending time with the
dam & sire, you have a better chance of obtaining a
low-allergen kitten.
Even so, people vary strongly in their reaction to allergens,
including Fel d1. Purchase of a kitten is a major commitment.
Should you react to your kitten, there are many reasonable steps
that can be taken to reduce reactions.
- Moisten the kitten with Allerpet Grooming Solution prior to daily
combing. This will reduce allergens released into the air during
combing, remove excess oils and deactivate allergens. Frequent
grooming with a moistening solution is very helpful in reducing
reactions to your kitten. Allerpet Solution can be purchased
at: National Allergy Supply
or KV Vet Supply.
- Bathe kitten twice to four times monthly. This will wash allergens and
irritants out of the coat. Pet shampoo containing lanolin, aloe,
or oatmeal will avoid drying out and irritating your cat’s skin.
Dry with a towel and comb. If the cat will allow it, use a hair dryer
to warm the kitten and fully dry the fur.
- Use washable fleece throws where your kitten likes to sleep.
This includes couches and chairs as well as climbing stations and
and cat beds. Wash throws weekly in hot water with detergent
and borax to deactivate allergens.
- Maintain a calm environment. Cats under stress increase production
of Fel d1 allergen. Some typical causes of stress include having too
many cats in the house, sudden noise or commotion, and a lack of quiet
attention and daily grooming.
- Reactions to young kittens from litter box dust are fairly common.
Small kittens tend to play or scratch quite a bit in the litter box
and get dust on their fur. Using dust free litters, as they reduce
or eliminate reactions to the litter box.
Dr Elsey's 'Precious Kitty
Litter has less dust than most clay litters.
Worlds Best Cat Litter
is made from corn, and is a flushable litter.
Feline Pine Litter
is made from compressed pine sawdust, also flushable.
- Clean litter boxes daily and change litter weekly, as Fel-d1 and
other allergens are found in urine and feces. If possible, the
litter box should be kept in the garage. Otherwise, place
the litter box in a bathroom or laundry room that can be vented
to the outdoors.
- Place the cat door through a wall into the garage and make a
secure area with a top for the litter box. This will prevent kitten
from playing in the garage or escaping. Rigid wire panels are
inexpensive and available at
Revival Animal Health.
- Keep your kitten out of the bedrooms of highly allergic individuals.
This allows the allergic person a period of recuperation (no exposure at night)
which can strongly reduce daytime reactions.
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Disclaimer:
Information provided by SRI is intended to be a general summary on the topic provided.
It is not intended to take the place of your own research.
Severe allergies should always be discussed with a medical professional.
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