Many families with cat allergy problems are interested in the Russian Blue cat, hoping to share their life with a feline.
Unlike what it may seem, the allergic reaction to cats is not due to hair, but to a specific protein called Fel D1 protein, which the cat generates in its skin, saliva and urine.
When felines lick their fur and skin, the saliva, which contains this protein, dries up and ends up becoming an allergen that causes allergies in some humans.
There is no hypoallergenic cat, but if true, russian blue usually produces very small amount of Fel D1 protein compared to other breeds, so many allergic people, could make home visits with Russian Blue cats, and have no allergy symptoms. Although this will always depend on the degree and type of allergy, and each cat in particular, since within the same breed this can vary from one specimen to another.
Another issue is that, due to the thick double-layered fur of Russian Blue, allergens that can occur are trapped between hair and skin, so they have less contact with people and the environment.
We are not doctors, and much less experts in allergies, so we advise that in cases of severe allergies, you always consult a specialist.
Here we talk about what is our personal experience in the coexistence of this breed and some cases that we have had with people who suffer from allergies to cats.
In our house, we usually receive visits from friends, and of course, we have friends who are allergic to cats. One of our friends, has strong symptoms of allergy to cats, and this prevents him from entering houses with cats, since within minutes of coming into contact with the environment they itch, cry and his eyes become red, sneeze, and breathing becomes difficult. Well, despite this, he can spend hours in our house, and he does not suffer from any allergy symptoms. However, if you pet cats, you have some mild symptoms of itchy eyes.
Other allergy sufferers, who have also spent long periods of time at home and have stroked the cats on several occasions, have not presented any symptoms,
We have also had visits from families with allergic children, who had no allergy symptoms with our cats during the visit, and in the hours after.
So, although we cannot guarantee that Russian Blue does not cause allergies, we are certain that the symptoms are markedly reduced compared to other breeds. However, we always advise consulting with the specialist, and being in contact with the cats before making the decision to adopt a Russian Blue.
If you are allergic, or in the family there are people allergic to cats, and despite this you want to live with a cat, in addition to choosing a breed that causes less allergies, there are effective measures to reduce, or even make the allergy disappear to the cat:
We do not give our kittens adoption to people allergic to cats, unless they are mild allergies and not respiratory type, and always after the authorization of the specialist.
Making the decision to live with a cat should not be driven by a whim, since behind the illusion there are feelings and we want to avoid family disappointment and stress for the cat.