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Anonymous
hay /an/,

I'm thinking of getting a cat, but my dad's allergic to fur. Regardless, everyone in my family wants to get a cat.
What kind of cat is the best cat even for people with allergies? I mean, I don't want one of those hairless wrinkly cats because they're frightening.

I wanted to get a British shorthair, but unfortunately they're fat and fluffy. (pic related)
>> Anonymous
I don't think the breed matters. Basically what people are allergic to is the cats saliva. When a cat cleans itself the saliva dries on the fur. The dust of the dried saliva is what sets off the allergies. As every cat cleans itself it doesn't matter what breed you get.

However, you can bath it regularly and this will dramatically cut down on the amount of dander it produces. Also over a few months your dad should get used to it. If not inject him with AIDS. This will weaken his immune system and reduce his allergies.

P.S. Tell your dad he is fail for having an overzealous immune system.
>> Anonymous
Skin and saliva are the sources of the cat allergen (some protein). Wikipedia says:
"A hypoallergenic cat is a cat which is less likely to provoke an allergic reaction in humans. There are claims, but no scientific evidence, that the Siberian breed is naturally hypoallergenic. Similarly, cat breeds such as the Sphinx, Devon Rex and Cornish Rex, which lack some of the normal layers of cat fur, are generally held by mild allergy sufferers to be significantly less likely than other breeds to provoke an allergic reaction. However as more people are allergic to the cat's saliva rather than the fur itself, the benefit of a hairless breed may be limited."

I'm allergic to cats, although mildly so. You can live with a cat even if you are allergic, but as time progresses, the allergy will become increasingly harder to bear.
>> Anonymous
Sounds like your best bet is to bathe the cat regularly. However, bathing a cat is no picnic. There's wipes you can use, but I'm not sure how effective that would be for allergens. My advice is to get a very young cat, which you can accustom to being regularly bathed.
>> Anonymous
I must be lucky, our cat doesn't clean.

On second thought, I'm not that lucky...
>> Anonymous
I lived with a cat for a year so while attending Uni, and I am allergic to cats, horses and a few types of plant pollen. I shared a flat with 4 other people, one of which owned this sweet little kittie.

Basically, I made sure my room was 100% cat free and we kept the place as clean as possible, washing the floors and vacuuming the furniture every week. We didn't have carpets except in the entré, which helps since most types of carpets can be hard to keep clean. In addition, we used a lint roller to keep her groomed.

At the end of the year I was pretty fucked though. Wheezing and a tight chest for an hour or so every morning. If your dad is badly allergic, I would advise you to reconsider.
>> Anonymous
Devon Rex would be my suggestion towards breed. They have short, fine fur and I don't quite remember off the top of my head how, but a friend of mine's dad has similar allergies. Incredibly allergic, but he can live with three little Devons running around the house. And they're cute as buttons.
>> Anonymous
Turkish Vans have are supposed to care less about getting wet and are thus easier to wash if you go that route.

I think you should just put your dad down though. It's selfish to make him suffer like that.
>> Anonymous
I also live with a severly allergic family member. I've been doing research on "hypoallergenic" breeds of animals. There are breeds of dogs that claim to be such. (NO animal will ever be 100% allergen free, btw)

But as far as cats go - they are making a few breeds in laboratories that should be more available to the public soon for hella bunches of monies. There is also a breed called a "siberian" cat that claims to be hypoallergenic and non shedding.

My advise is to visit the breeder's or owner's home for an hour w/ your dad and gauge his reaction to it being in his lap or something. Good luck.
>> Anonymous
Those hairless or super-short haired breeds will never be hypo-allergenic, but they will be easier to clean with wipes. You might want to look into fur types for cats-- for instance, Ragdolls still shed fur, but have "rabbitlike fur" and so shed less.

Like others have said, getting a kitten and getting it used to bathing is probably a good idea.

Also, invest in claritin for your dad. :)
>> Anonymous
go with a Cornish Rex!
they have short curly-ish hair that don't shed. They have personalities like puppies almost.
>> Anonymous
>>87792

This is good advice. Expect to be cleaning your house AND your cat frequently. Try and keep the cat out of your dad's room. You can also try and keep the cat away from your dad, but this can backfire. Some cats seem to sense people with allergies and those who don't like cats and stick near them.
>> Anonymous
>>87815
I lol'd
>> Anonymous
>>88521
cats by nature have a thing with being "noticed" and "unnoticed." Simply put, ignoring them says to the cat that "hey it's ok do whatever the fuck you want," whereas watching them is "excuse me, what the fuck are you doing?"

It's why cats avoid overly-friendly strangers, and are attracted to distant or allergic people.
>> Anonymous
If I remember correctly, just because the cat is hairless does not mean it will be easier to have in your house if someone has allergies. People are allergic to the dandruff and without the fur there, the dandruff is more likely to come off the cat.
>> Anonymous
We have anonymously concluded your dad is to be put down so that he doesn't suffer from horrible allergies anymore.
>> Anonymous
>>88614
It's more complicated than that, at least by my experience. Cats usually spot those that just don't like them and stay clear from those people as if they don't DESERVE their attention. (Narcissistic fucks...) And as for the allergic ones, they split into two categories (counting out those who can be included in the aforementioned): there's the "Aww, I wish I wasn't allergic, s/he's so cuute!" and the "OI YOU, CAT! Don't get fresh, I'm allergic!" The first are the ones who get the most attention. The latter are usually left alone more and I'm one of them. I'm allergic, I wish I wasn't 'cos I'm an animal person and don't really have anything against cats (though I say I do to keep things simple..) but I've kinda detached myself from cats so as not to grow too fond. Their reaction after initial approach is along the lines of "*sigh* Whatever..." and after that they give me funny looks. :D
>> Anonymous
>>87779

Your dad's allergy can be cured.
Visit an ear-nose-and-throat specialist and he'll be given an oral vaccine, and the allergy symptoms actually are near non-existent during said 2 months if he takes the vaccine regularly.

It cost me $300AU for the consultation and $60AU for the vaccine, both of which my health fund covered. So even without the health fund, it's wholly within your family's budget if they're already budgeting for a cat.

A cat will eventually cost that much within the first month what with vet bills, pet products, spay/neutering, registering/microchipping (depends on your area's regulations) and cat-proofing your house or a few fragile items smashed by your cat, even if you're getting the cat itself "free" from a shelter.
>> Anonymous
>>89143

Uhhh cured? Suppressing the allergic reaction with medication is hardly a cure ...