The Truth About Saliva

My grandmother is forever searching for a cat that doesn’t shed their fur and make her stuffy.  Unfortunately, I have repeatedly reminded her that all cats shed and her quest is not going to be an easy one.  With the huge number of people affected by allergies, it is not surprising that pets are now being marketed as “healthier” for your house, or hypoallergenic if you will.  Unfortunately, there really is no such thing.

After some research, I found some interesting insight into the “hypoallergenic” cat myth.  Surprisingly, the allergens that actually make you sneeze, cough, and rub your eyes for hours are actually not directly caused by your kitty’s fur, but rather her saliva!  After she grooms herself, the saliva (and allergens) dries and is transferred right on to you as she snuggles by your pillow.  Obviously the mostly-hairless Sphinx Cat has less fur for allergens to hold on to, but does require a little more conscientious effort in bathing routines.

Since you probably can’t (and don’t want to) find a hairless AND tongueless cat, you will most likely just have to deal with itchy, watery eyes.   Here are some ways to at least minimise your symptoms:

• Keep your cat out of the bedroom so fur does not collect on your pillows
• Give your cat a bath each week
• Avoid carpet, replace with wood, solid surfaces to avoid dander    collection and for easier maintenance
• Use an air filter