Ragdoll cats are a breed of cat known for their friendly personality and large size, but are ragdoll cats hypoallergenic? Ragdolls are considered one of the most popular cat breeds. It’s a common thought that ragdoll cats are hypoallergenic. While there may be some truth to this statement, unfortunately for the cat lover who suffers from allergies, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic breed of cat, which means that even if you are allergic to cats, ragdoll cats can still cause you problems. . though ragdolls can still be a good choice for people with cat allergies, depending on the source of the allergy.
what kind of people are allergic to cats?
There are many people who suffer from pet allergies. Some of the most common allergies to cats include hay fever, asthma, and eczema. Since there is no way to predict who will be allergic to cats, it is important that people with these allergies take precautions when around a cat.
what triggers a cat allergy?
About 10% of the US population suffers from pet allergies, with cats being the most common culprit. People with cat allergies are not allergic to the cat’s fur, but rather to the fel d1 protein found in the saliva, urine, and dander (dry flakes of fur) of cats. Interestingly, studies have shown that females and kittens produce less Fel D1. Also, an interesting fact is that neutered male ragdolls have been known to produce less fel d1.
Most domestic cats have an undercoat that sheds around their environment and therefore causes allergies in people who come in contact with it.
surprisingly, even though the ragdoll cat breed is known for its big fluffy coat, it has no undercoat. this makes the cat shed less hair.
If an allergy sufferer is triggered by the cat’s saliva, all cats, even the hairless sphynx cat, will cause a reaction. this is because a cat will leave saliva on its fur when it cleans itself. Cats that have a high coat density and shed easily will cause a greater reaction in people with a cat allergy, as they shed their hair around their surroundings, such as beds, furniture, and carpets. learn more about ragdoll cats shedding.
A person with a cat allergy can be triggered by just cat dander or cat saliva, or it could be both! you would need to have a test to find out what is triggering the allergic reaction. a person who is only allergic to cat dander may find that ragdoll cats do not trigger her allergic reaction. other breeds that may cause fewer allergic reactions include the sphynx, cornish rex, Balinese, and Russian blue.
learn more about getting tested for cat allergies
how can you tell if you are allergic to cats?
if you are allergic to cats, you may experience symptoms such as:
- sneezing.
- Itchy red eyes.
- runny, itchy, and stuffy nose.
- coughing and wheezing.
- hives and/or rash on the chest and face.
- redness of the skin if a cat has scratched, bitten, or licked you.
- restrict the cat to certain areas of your home. In particular, keep your cat out of your bedroom.
- wash your hands often and thoroughly before and after coming into contact with your cat. avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Clean up your home lots! Cat dander, like our own dead skin cells, gets everywhere, so be sure to vacuum daily and mop and sweep your floors to reduce the amount of cat hair floating around your home. It’s important to buy a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which sucks up dust and dirt without blowing allergens back into the room. polish furniture with a safe and effective cleaner. this will help reduce the amount of allergens in the air by up to 95%.
- reduce the number of textile surfaces in your home and choose textiles that are less likely to collect dust and dirt, such as leather, plastic, and wood.
- Invest in an air purifier. an air purifier will catch any feline antigens floating in the air. when buying an air purifier, make sure it uses a hepa filter.
- wash your clothes and bedding regularly; If you have cats, chances are their fur and dander are all over your clothes. Regular laundry can help reduce the number of allergens lurking there. a lint roller can also help remove hair stuck to clothing.
- Keep your distance. make sure other family members take responsibility for tidying up and cleaning the litter box.
- Brushing your cat regularly can help reduce the amount of cat hair in their environment. Because they tend to shed a lot, their fur will leave pieces all over the house, on surfaces like furniture and carpets, as well as in the air. When grooming your ragdoll, it’s a good idea to wear gloves or ask someone else in your household to do the chore if you have pet allergies.
- consider bathing your cat. Most cats don’t like water, but some will be willing to let you bathe them. though experts aren’t sure if this will have a large impact on protein exposure.
- Some cat breeds, such as ragdoll cats, easily develop dandruff or a dull coat. If this is a problem with your ragdoll, be sure to provide him with supplements such as omega 3 fatty acids. This will keep his coat shiny and soft. purina pro plan liveclear cat food claims to significantly reduce the major allergen in cat fur and dander by an average of 47% from the third week of feeding
- If you experience symptoms after being around a cat, take an over-the-counter antihistamine such as benadryl or claritin and wait an hour before going home.
There’s no definitive way to tell if you’re allergic to cats, but some of the signs that you may be allergic may include experiencing symptoms after coming in contact with a cat or being around cats in general. if you’re concerned that you might be allergic to cats, it’s best to talk to your doctor.
how to control cat allergies
If you are allergic to cats, there are several things you can do to minimize your exposure to the proteins that trigger the allergic reaction.
can ragdolls have allergies?
Just like humans, ragdolls can develop their own allergies. There are some common categories of allergies in cats, such as food, environmental elements like pollen, grass and dust mites, and fleas and ticks, which means your cat may experience reactions to one or more of these things.
If you think your ragdoll may be allergic to something, it’s important to take steps to limit exposure to these allergens. While it’s not clear what causes these allergies, there are a few things you can do to help reduce your cat’s exposure to allergens. learn more about allergies your ragdoll cat may have and the best way to treat them.
If you think your cat may be allergic to kitty litter, be sure to read our guide to the best hypoallergenic kitty litters on the market.
Are ragdoll cats hypoallergenic?
Therefore, it can be concluded that although a ragdoll cat is not strictly a hypoallergenic cat breed, a person whose allergy is triggered by cat fur may find that they can live happily with a ragdoll without presenting any problems . Although some people believe that ragdolls are a good choice for people with cat allergies, this is not always the case. If you’re planning to get a ragdoll cat and think you may be allergic to cats, it’s important to discuss all options with your doctor.
find out more about ragdoll cats
