Allergic to Cats but not Dogs?
I am incredibly allergic to cats, I didn't use to be when I was a kid, it came on all of a sudden when I was around 11.
Now, I've been around dogs a ton, but mostly outside, so when I went to the dog show, I was afraid allergies would manifest themselves...after all, a room filled with a hundred dogs....
but nope, nothing! Not a tear, not a sneeze, my eyes were clear...it's like there were no dogs there at all.
Is that really possible, to be allergic to cats but not dogs? Or am I just a weirdo? lol
[ ok, MORE of a weirdo
] ~
Now, I've been around dogs a ton, but mostly outside, so when I went to the dog show, I was afraid allergies would manifest themselves...after all, a room filled with a hundred dogs....
but nope, nothing! Not a tear, not a sneeze, my eyes were clear...it's like there were no dogs there at all.
Is that really possible, to be allergic to cats but not dogs? Or am I just a weirdo? lol
[ ok, MORE of a weirdo
] ~
Comments
How interesting is THAT? I never knew that!
What about the LaPerm or Siberian claims of being "hypo[not non]allergenic"?
I know Sphynx Cat's are NOT hypoallergenic, even tho they have no fur.
Kittens don't bother me as much as full grown cats.
There could be breeds of cat that are the same? I dunno. I'm not up on my cat breeds.
Cat breeds such as the LaPerm, Sphynx, Devon Rex and Cornish Rex, which lack some or all of the normal layers in cats' fur, are believed by mild allergy sufferers to be significantly less likely to provoke an allergic reaction than other breeds. Siberian cats and Russian Blue are also believed by some to have such properties.
There is only one known hypoallergenic horse breed. The Bashkir Curly horse has a uniquely textured coat that lacks the protein (present in all other horse fur) believed to be the source of allergic reactions to equines. Many people with severe allergies to horses can handle Bashkir Curlies with no reaction.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoallergenic
With the hypoallergenic dogs, they can actually shed pretty much equal to regular dogs if given the chance. Look at your own hair, you'll find bits and pieces of it through out your home. Most of the dogs with hair usually get groomed about every month or two, thus anything that needs to be shed gets washed away at the groomers or in the bath tub. I have seen people who are allergic to cats own quite a fluffball. They routinely vacuum the house and bath the cat on a weekly basis. Long haired cats actually drop less hair than short haired cats, since the majority of the shedded hair gets tangled with the rest, thus causing mats when not brushed.
lol
That's about it for my knowledge of allergies! Seems like our family was (not so) lucky to get them mostly concentrated in one family member!
I would love to own a cat, but I realize that either means finding a specific breed (I've been to a LaPerm cattery and sneezed only once) and not adopting or downing zyrtec, sudafed or benedryl for the rest of forever. Neither is something I want to do, so I don't own a cat... but we did foster cats for 1-2 weeks at a time in the spring. I won't be doing that this year, though. I know that orange tabbies and tuxedo cats really get me sneezing and coughing and runny everything.
Also, thats the info I found, too, Kyla - especially the part about siberian/russian blue/Norwegian forest cats... but my neighbor has a russian blue, and his fur is on everything!!
Coda rubs his body/butt/tail all over me when I am home, and I never have had any reaction to it.
My vet told me a story about her daughter: "Dad, when I get older, I will buy a house and have a room installed where you can go in, but my cats will not be allowed to go." lol