Cats have stress-relieving qualities that simply make their owners live a happier life overall. Even just cherishing your cat can already ease away some of the stress and make you feel happy in a moment.
Imagine having a Maine coon in your home. You’re sure to have no dull moments. Maine coon cats are loving and loyal cats. By nature, they enjoy spending a lot of time with their owners.
Playing with Maine Coon cats can brighten up a gloomy day. However, some people couldn’t have cats even if they wanted due to cat allergies. Despite all the benefits we get from cats, we should not ignore the fact that some cats can cause allergies.
Maine coons are not an exception. They are not hypoallergenic, but there could be ways for them not to cause allergies at home.
Table of Contents
How do cats cause allergies?
Some people think that cats can cause allergies due to their fur. That is not entirely true. It’s not really the fur that causes the reaction. In reality, the allergens come from a cat’s dead skin dander. It can also come from their salivary glands or urine.
Dander is composed of tiny microscopic flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, rodents, birds, and other animals with fur and feathers.
For cats, the primary cause of allergies is a glycoprotein known as Fel D1. It is produced by the sebaceous glands under the skin. To a lesser degree, this is also present in the cat’s saliva.
A cat is constantly shedding minute particles of dander into the environment and when they groom they transfer saliva on the coat which is then shed around the home producing allergies to those susceptible.
People with allergies have over-sensitive immune systems. Harmless things like cat dander, for dangerous invaders, attack them like bacteria or viruses. The symptoms of the allergy are the side effects of your body’s assault on the allergen or trigger.
Symptoms of cat allergy might develop in just a few minutes or take hours to appear. It may include:
- Coughing and wheezing
- Hives or a rash on the chest and face.
- Red and itchy eyes
- Redness of the skin where a cat has scratched, bitten or licked
- Runny, itchy, stuffy nose
- Sneezing
If you’re not sure if you suffer from an allergy to cats, you can request a test. This involves either a skin patch test or a blood test.
Maine coons and allergies
Maine coons are well-loved by many enthusiastic cat owners. However, there is no lead that Maine coon cats produce low levels of allergens, too. Despite this, they remain to be a popular choice for a house cat.
A particular Maine coon kitten may work for you, especially if your cat allergies are light. Females normally produce fewer hormones than males. It is believed that hormones are involved in their Fel d1 production which is what causes your allergy. Males make more of the dreaded protein than females.
How can I avoid cat allergies?
- Brush your cat’s fur regularly. This helps remove cat dander from their fur. It also keeps your cat free from dust and mites which could worsen your existing allergies, if any.
- Bathe your cat. This assures you that excess dander and protein Fel d1 is removed from your cat’s body. One of Maine coons’ best qualities is its love of water. You would not have a problem giving them a bath.
- Wash your hands after touching your cat. This removes saliva and fur from your hands, both of which may trigger allergies.
- Avoid stroking your cat. It may be easier said than done, but you have to cut down on stroking your cat if you don’t want to catch allergies.
- Put on gloves when gardening. Cats usually pee on the soil and may also cause allergies.
- Clean your home. Make cleaning a habit. Increased cleaning at home will significantly reduce cat allergens sticking to surfaces at home.
- Make some parts of your house off-limits. For one, bedrooms should be off-limits for your feline friends. This way, if someone at home is allergic, there is an area where they can stay without worrying they might catch an allergy.
- Look for cat cleaning wipes and anti-allergen sprays. These will help you manage your home more effectively and reduce the risks of allergies.
- Consider buying a HEPA air filter. These filters help collect airborne allergen. As an added bonus, they help purify your air and keep it free from dust and even viruses.
[crp]
Common questions about Maine coons being hypoallergenic
What is a hypoallergenic cat?
Some feline breeds are considered hypoallergenic, which means they produce fewer allergens than other breeds. Cats naturally produce pet dander, a common allergen. However, for people who are allergic to cats, the culprit may be the protein, Fel d1, which is present in cat saliva.
Which cats are hypoallergenic?
Balinese is one of the few breeds that produce less of the Fel d1 protein than other cats, causing fewer allergic reactions in allergy sufferers. Other breeds of the same qualities include Oriental Shorthair, Javanese, Devon Rex, Japanese, Cornish Rex, Sphynx/Hairless cat Siberian.
Is there a breed of cat that doesn’t shed?
Cats that don’t shed are either hairless or with a short coat. Some of the most popular hairless cat breeds are the Peterbald and Sphynx. The Bambino and Levkoy also are hairless and are good examples of hypoallergenic cat breeds.
Because of their thick and shaggy fur, people who have cat allergies have second thoughts about keeping Maine coon cats. Although they can cause related allergies, there are ways to prevent them. As with other types of animals, knowledge and proper care are key to fighting allergies in Maine coons. They may not be hypoallergenic, but their natural charm makes them worth being a house cat.
