Allergy to cats

A hypoallergenic cat is a cat which has been bred to not provoke an allergic reaction in humans, enabling humans with cat allergy to own and handle it.

There are claims, but no scientific evidence, that the Siberian breed is hypoallergenic. Similarly, cat breeds such as the Sphinx, 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.

The protein Fel d 1, produced largely by the cat's saliva and sebaceous glands, is the primary allergen present on cats. The protein is of an unknown function to the animal but causes an IgG reaction in sensitive humans (either as an allergic or asthmatic response). Removal of soft surfaces in the home (carpet, furniture), frequent washings of bed linens, HEPA filters and even washing cats have been proven to reduce the amounts of Fel d 1 present in the home. Fel d 1 is a particularly sticky protein and has been shown to cling to clothing and human hair and can be detected in environments where a cat has never been present.

The company Allerca has announced that they have bred a hypoallergenic cat, which are priced at $3,950. [1]Interesting to note, the Fel d 1 protein is still present in the "hypoallergenic" Allerca cats, but exists in a different form and does not cause an allergic response. Allerca promises that scientific data will be published in a scientific journal in 2007. Felix Pets also claims to be developing hypoallergenic cats.

• Allergen-free cats – a breed apart? - article from New Scientist.

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