Allergies

It has been proven that Siberians produce lower levels of the Fel d1 allergen but there are two other factors that will contribute to the hypoallergenic profile of a Siberian cat.

The texture of the fur:

Particularly the brown tabby cats have a thick glossy fur that helps to keep fewer particles of Fel d1 in the air or spreading around the house. A healthy cat will lick itself (the entire body) at least once a day. The saliva applied in the fur will become partially airbone but some will remain in the fur, dry and become dust that will be spread around the house in fabrics, carpets and wherever the cats rests. With this particularly thick, glossy texture found especially in brown tabby cats, this dust will adhere to the fur and you will have less of it all around the house. If you touch or pet your cat, you can wash your hands before you forget and touch your face (the most sensitive area) and you will have less dust around the house that you could touch or breathe in.

With other fur colors like silver, blue tabby, solid colors and the Neva pattern, the fur is much thinner and softer and this sort of texture will not help to avoid spreading the Fel d1 dust particles. Silver and smoke are considered the least interesting fur color for allergic people.

Some silver cats, some blue and Neva (rarer with these colors and pattern) have a good thick fur texture. You need to observe the fur texture in both parents.

The temperament of the cat:

Yes the temperament also plays a role as well!

Siberians are pretty laid back kitties but the less timid and relaxed a cat is, the less it will lick its body.

A healthy cat will take a bath daily but cats who are naturally timid or who have a tendency to stress, may lick themselves more or even start stress licking bath sessions if there is something disturbing their routine or if they more stressed than normal for any reason.

So “Zen” cats who lick themselves less often will cause way fewer reactions in allergic people.

I leave here the link to the “Siberian Research” page where you will find a lot more information about Siberian cats and allergy.

DISCLAIMER: Fel d1 allergen can cause potentially serious and even fatal reactions in some individuals.  The information provided in this web page is not a substitution for medical advice. We strongly recommend that you seek medical advice before visiting a cattery or buying a kitten.