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Siberian, naturally hypoallergenic!

FOREWORD: NOT ALL SIBERIANS ARE HYPOALLERGENIC!


IT IS ESTIMATED THAT AROUND 50% OF SIBERIAN CATS HAVE LOWER LEVELS OF THE ALLERGENIC PROTEIN FEL D1 THAN OTHER BREEDS OF CAT. THIS MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR SOME PEOPLE WITH MODERATE ALLERGIES TO ADOPT A SIBERIAN.

 

HOWEVER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE PRODUCTION OF FEL D1 CAN VARY FROM ONE INDIVIDUAL TO ANOTHER. IT IS THEREFORE ADVISABLE TO SPEND A MINIMUM OF ONE HOUR IN THE PRESENCE OF A SIBERIAN CAT TO OBSERVE ANY ALLERGIC REACTION. THIS TIME ALLOWS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM TO BE ACTIVATED AND TOLERANCE TO BE TESTED MORE RELIABLY.

 

WE OFFER ALLERGY TESTS DIRECTLY AT THE CATTERY. THESE TESTS ARE CARRIED OUT DURING VISITS BY APPOINTMENT, WHEN WE HAVE LITTERS AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING. WE INVITE YOU TO CONTACT US TO ARRANGE A TEST AND ASSESS YOUR SENSITIVITY TO THE PRESENCE OF OUR CATS.

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!!! BEWARE OF RUMOURS !!!

CONTRARY TO SOME UNVERIFIED CLAIMS, RECENT SCIENTIFIC STUDIES HAVE NOT CONFIRMED THAT SIBERIAN CATS ARE SYSTEMATICALLY LESS ALLERGENIC.

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AT NEVA STAR, WE ARE COMMITTED TO NOT RELAYING FALSE RUMOURS OR SIMPLE CUT AND PASTES FOUND ON THE INTERNET. THE WORK OF LINDA TARTOF, FREQUENTLY MENTIONED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRODUCTION OF FEL D1 IN SIBERIAN CATS, IS NOT BASED ON ANY OFFICIAL SCIENTIFIC STUDY OR PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATION AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET.

 

BEWARE OF UNVERIFIED INFORMATION AND PREFER ESTABLISHED SCIENTIFIC FACTS THAT CAN BE CONSULTED FREE OF CHARGE.
 

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WHY AM I ALLERGIC TO CATS?

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Allergy to cats is one of the most common respiratory allergies in the general population. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the animal's fur that causes allergic symptoms, but a protein: Fel d1.

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This 35-39 kDa glycoprotein is produced mainly by the cat's salivary, sebaceous, lacrimal, anal and urinary glands. During grooming, it is deposited on the coat and then released into the environment in the form of microparticles. These particles, less than 5 microns in size, can remain suspended in the air for months, attaching themselves to textiles and surfaces and triggering symptoms even when the feline is not present.

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The most common symptoms are allergic rhinitis (sneezing, runny nose), conjunctivitis, coughing, asthma attacks, and even hives or severe respiratory discomfort.

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FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PRODUCTION OF FEL D 1

 

 

Certain factors modulate the production of Fel d 1 in cats:

  • Hormonal status: Cats that are not sterilised, particularly males, produce more Fel d 1. Sterilisation can reduce allergen levels by an average of 40-50%.

  • Stress: Stress increases Fel d 1 secretion.

  • Age: Kittens can produce up to 50% more Fel d 1 than adults.

  • Phenotype : Silver or Smoke individuals generally have higher levels.

IN CONCLUSION

  • The Siberian cat is not "non-allergenic", but statistically less allergenic than other breeds. Some allergy sufferers may be able to adopt one, subject to prior individual assessment.

  • Caution should be exercised, however, as immune reactions vary from person to person. Some allergic reactions can appear 24 to 48 hours after contact with cats.

  • It is essential to spend at least one hour in the presence of the cat to observe any immune reaction.​

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