Quck answer
Hypoallergenic cats are specially bred to produce fewer allergens, which can be beneficial for people with allergies. However, the price tag for a hypoallergenic cat can be quite steep, with some breeds costing up to ,000. While some people may be willing to pay this price for a cat that won’t cause them allergic reactions, others may not see the value in spending so much money on a pet. Ultimately, the decision to purchase a hypoallergenic cat should be based on individual circumstances and priorities.
Pets
A collection of the “world’s first scientifically proven hypoallergenic cats.” For more cat images, check out the gallery.
Photo courtesy Allerca Lifestyle Pets
If you’re a cat lover, it’s hard not to fall in love with their furry and adorable nature. They’re independent yet affectionate, and always seem to know when you need a cuddle. If you’re a cat enthusiast, you probably enjoy watching Fancy Feast commercials and scrolling through cute cat photos online. You might even own a sweater with an embroidered cat chasing a ball of yarn.
Cat Image Gallery
However, if you’re one of the millions of people who are allergic to cats, your love for felines can come with a price. You end up with hives, a runny nose, teary eyes, and a throat that feels like it’s closing up. Despite your doctor’s advice to avoid owning a cat, you may still choose to do so. According to the Humane Society of the United States, one-third of people who are allergic to cats keep one anyway. If over-the-counter allergy medication or prescription hay fever medicine doesn’t work for you, you might opt for immunotherapy. This is a series of allergen injections that eventually lessen the allergen’s impact on your body.
Alternatively, you can avoid the hassle altogether by purchasing a hypoallergenic cat for $6,000.
In 2006, Allerca Lifestyle Pets, an American company, started delivering cats that produce minimal to no allergic reactions in humans. They claim to have created “the world’s first scientifically proven hypoallergenic cats.” The company promises to deliver a 12-week-old kitten to your doorstep for $5,950. Each kitten has been socialized and is “friendly, playful, and affectionate.”
The cats are a short-haired breed that resembles the British shorthair and grow to a medium size of 10 to 15 pounds. Customers can choose the coat color, pattern, and sex of the kitten they want, but there’s no guarantee that they’ll receive it. These cats are still cats, not robots. They’re expected to behave like any other cat, with the exception of being hypoallergenic.
Would you be willing to spend $6,000 on a hypoallergenic cat? Apparently, many people are. It seems like a dream come true for cat lovers who suffer from allergies. As of October 2007, Allerca had a two-year waiting list for their hypoallergenic kittens. However, for an extra $1,950, you can join their Premium Placement program and cut the waiting time in half.
But how do these mild-mannered kitties manage to avoid triggering severe allergic reactions and even asthma in some individuals? How did Allerca solve a long-standing problem? Keep reading to find out.
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Tips for Reducing Allergies to Cats
Even if your cat is shorthair or hairless, it can still cause allergies in humans.
Photo courtesy Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images
Most cat allergies are caused by a reaction to the Fel d 1 glycoprotein which is secreted by cats through their skin and saliva. This glycoprotein is smaller than dust and can remain in your home for months. Avoiding pets altogether is the best option to reduce pet allergies, but it may not be possible for some people. Therefore, pet owners who have allergies have found some ways to minimize the effects of allergies. Washing your cat twice a week, avoiding wool sweaters, opting for female or neutered male cats, and keeping only short-haired cats are some plausible ways to reduce allergic reactions to cats. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat. Cat owners who have allergies have traditionally had to look to medicine for relief. People who own dogs, horses, or birds can also suffer similar allergies.
The Fel d 1 glycoprotein is naturally produced exclusively by cats. Cats emit the allergen through their saliva or skin. When you pet a cat or it licks you, the Fel d 1 protein is transmitted. It can also rub off on anything the cat touches, especially fibers, and it is difficult to get rid of. This allergen can be transferred from a home where a cat lives to other cat-free places. The allergen can also build up quickly. A study conducted in a mattress store in Sweden found that new mattresses in stores had high levels of allergens from customers who own pets trying out the mattresses.
The Fel d 1 protein can cause a severe reaction in some humans. People with sensitized immune systems have undergone a process of becoming allergic. After being exposed to the glycoprotein, the sensitized person’s body creates immunoglobin E (IgE), which is an antibody to fight what the body sees as an invader. The next time the person encounters the protein, the body releases the IgE antibodies. These, in turn, trigger a release of histamines, which relaxes the capillaries and smooth muscle tissue, allowing them to become more permeable. This makes the soft tissue areas around the eyes, nose, and throat become much more sensitive to everyday irritants. So allergy sufferers end up with watery eyes, runny noses, and scratchy throats. At its worst, the Fel d 1 glycoprotein can even cause asthma in allergy sufferers. According to a study published by the National Institute of Health, about 50 percent of asthma cases were allergy-related and 30 percent of those cases came from cat allergies.
So how did Allerca come up with the hypoallergenic cat? Read the next page to find out.
Enhancing the Domestic Cat
A photograph of a bioengineered mouse with an ear on its back.
Photo credit: AP
The term “hypoallergenic” refers to a product that has a lower chance of causing an allergic reaction. The United States Food and Drug Administration does not require evidence of hypoallergenic properties for any product, including cats, pillows, or cosmetics [source: FDA].
Allerca claims to have tested their cats on individuals with known pet allergies. The test subjects did not display any symptoms of their allergies when presented with an engineered cat. However, when the same group of individuals was presented with non-Allerca cats as a control, they experienced allergic reactions, according to the company. Allerca offers a one-year guarantee, promising a full refund if a customer experiences an allergic reaction to one of its cats [source: Allerca].
How did Allerca accomplish this feat? At first glance, one might assume that the company bioengineered their hypoallergenic cats, such as creating an artificial process to grow a human ear on a lab mouse with active cell growth. Bioengineering can also include altering the genetic makeup of a living organism to achieve a desired outcome.
However, Allerca did not use any bioengineering techniques. Customers who want a hypoallergenic cat with rainbow polka dots or a Malcolm plaid will need to wait longer. Instead, Allerca employs selective breeding, which involves breeding only animals with desired traits. Through selective breeding, desirable traits are emphasized, and undesirable ones are removed from the family line. The most technologically advanced aspect of Allerca’s cats is the Microchip Identifier implanted in each one.
Allerca is vague about the details of their selective breeding program. However, the company claims to have achieved success through genetic divergence. This is a natural process that occurs during evolution. For example, the genetic divergence between humans and chimpanzees was caused by a single reproductive trait among males. Humans and chimpanzees still share 99 percent of their DNA, but the divergence resulted in the evolution of two different species [source: Cornell University].
Allerca isolated the gene that produces the Fel d 1 glycoprotein, which causes allergic reactions. Using bioinformatics, the company searched for the cat breed that was most likely to genetically diverge from the rest of the breeds in the production of Fel d 1. Allerca appears to have expedited the process of genetic divergence within the British Shorthair breed through selective breeding. In other words, the company accelerated what nature would have done over time [source: Allerca].
The hypoallergenic cats do not appear to have suffered any genetic damage or mutations from the selective breeding process. Allerca claims that its cats still produce the Fel d 1 protein, but that the protein has a different molecular weight that does not trigger allergic reactions in humans [source: Allerca].
Allerca ensures that interbreeding with common cats in a new neighborhood does not occur as all breeding is done in a controlled environment. Each kitten is spayed or neutered before arriving at their new home. More information about cats and genes can be found on the next page. There is also a lot of additional information available including related articles and great links. Sources for the information provided are listed at the end.
FAQ
1. What is a hypoallergenic cat?
A hypoallergenic cat is a breed of cat that produces fewer allergens than other cats. This means that people who are allergic to cats may be able to live with a hypoallergenic cat without experiencing allergies.
2. How much does a hypoallergenic cat cost?
The cost of a hypoallergenic cat can vary depending on the breed and where you purchase it from. Some breeds, such as the Siberian or Balinese, can cost upwards of $6,000. Other breeds, such as the Devon Rex or Cornish Rex, may cost less.
3. Are hypoallergenic cats completely allergen-free?
No, hypoallergenic cats are not completely allergen-free. While they produce fewer allergens than other cats, they still produce some allergens. People with severe cat allergies may still experience symptoms around a hypoallergenic cat.
4. Can hypoallergenic cats still cause allergic reactions?
Yes, hypoallergenic cats can still cause allergic reactions in some people. While they produce fewer allergens than other cats, they still produce some allergens. People with severe cat allergies may still experience symptoms around a hypoallergenic cat.
5. Are hypoallergenic cats healthier than other cats?
Not necessarily. While some hypoallergenic breeds, such as the Siberian, have been found to have a lower incidence of certain health issues, there is no guarantee that a hypoallergenic cat will be healthier than a non-hypoallergenic cat.
6. Do hypoallergenic cats require special care?
Not necessarily. While some hypoallergenic breeds, such as the Sphynx, may require more frequent bathing to remove oils from their skin, most hypoallergenic cats do not require any special care beyond what other cats need.
7. Is it worth paying $6,000 for a hypoallergenic cat?
That depends on your individual circumstances and priorities. If you have severe cat allergies and have been unable to live with cats in the past, a hypoallergenic cat may be worth the investment. However, if you simply want a cat and do not have allergies, there are many other breeds of cats available at a much lower cost.
8. Are there any drawbacks to owning a hypoallergenic cat?
Some hypoallergenic breeds, such as the Sphynx, may require more frequent bathing to remove oils from their skin. Additionally, hypoallergenic cats are often more expensive than other breeds, which may be a drawback for some people.
9. Can hypoallergenic cats still be adopted from shelters?
Yes, it is possible to find hypoallergenic cats at shelters. While purebred hypoallergenic cats may be more difficult to find at shelters, there are many mixed-breed cats that may be hypoallergenic or produce fewer allergens than other cats.
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