Ragdoll cats are a cat breed that is known for their friendly personality and large size but is a ragdoll cat hypoallergenic? Ragdolls are considered to be one of the most popular breeds of cats. It is a common thought that Ragdoll Cats are hypoallergenic. While there may be some truth to this statement, sadly for the allergy sufferer cat lover there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat breed, meaning that even if you are allergic to cats, Ragdoll Cats may still cause you problems. Although ragdolls still may be a good choice for people who are allergic to cats, depending on the source of the allergy.
What Kinds of People Are Allergic to Cats?
There are many people suffer from pet allergies. Some of the most common allergies to cats include hay fever, asthma, and eczema. Because there is no way to predict who will be allergic to cats, it is important for people with these allergies to take precautions when around a cat.
What triggers a cat allergy?
About 10% of the population of the United States suffer from pet allergies with the cat being the most common culprit. People who suffer from cat allergies are allergic not to the cat’s fur but to the FEL d1 protein which is found in cat saliva, urine and dander (dried flakes of skin ). Interestingly, studies have shown that females and kittens produce less Fel d1. Additionally, an interesting fact is that neutered male Ragdolls are known to produce less Fel D1.
Most domesticated cats have an undercoat of fur that sheds around their environment and thus triggering allergies in people who come into contact with it.
Surprisingly, even though the Ragdoll cat breed is known for its big fluffy coat it does not have an undercoat. This results in less hair being shed by the cat.
If an allergy sufferer is triggered by cat saliva then every cat, 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 density of fur and easily shed will cause more of a reaction in people with cat allergy as they shed their hair around their environment, such as on beds, furniture and carpets. Find out more about Ragdoll Cats shedding fur.
A person with a cat allergy may be triggered by just the cat dander or a cat’s saliva or it could be both! You would need to be tested to discover what is trigging the allergic reaction. A person that is found to be only allergic to cat dander may find that Ragdoll Cats do not trigger their allergic reaction. Other breeds that may cause less of an allergic reaction are the Sphynx, Cornish Rex, Balinese, and Russian blue.
Find out more about getting tested for a cat allergy
How Can You Tell if You Are Allergic to Cats?
If you are allergic to cats, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Sneezing.
- Red itchy eyes.
- Runny, itchy, stuffy nose.
- Coughing and wheezing.
- Hives and/or a rash on the chest and face.
- Redness of the skin if a cat has scratched, bit or licked you.
There is no one definitive way to tell if you are allergic to cats, but some of the signs that may indicate that you are may include experiencing symptoms after coming in contact with a cat or being around cats in general. If you are concerned that you may be allergic to cats, it is best to talk to your doctor.
How to Manage Your Cat Allergy
If you are allergic to cats, there are several things you can do to minimise your exposure to proteins that trigger the allergic reaction.
- Restrict the Cat to certain areas of your home. In particular, do not allow your cat into your bedroom.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly before and after coming in contact with your cat. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Clean your home lots! Cat dander, like our own dead skin cells, gets everywhere so make sure you vacuum every day and mop and sweep the floors to reduce the amount of cat hair floating around your home. It is important to purchase a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which sucks up dust and dirt without pushing allergens back into the room. Polish furniture using a safe and effective cleaner. This will help to 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 accumulate dust and dirt such as leather, plastic and wood.
- Invest in an air purifier. An air purifier will trap any cat antigen floating in the air. When shopping for 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. Washing your clothes regularly can help reduce the number of allergens that are hiding there. A lint roller can also help remove any hair stuck to your clothes.
- Keep your distance. Make sure other family members take on the responsibility of grooming and cleaning the litter box.
- Brushing your cat regularly can help reduce the amount of cat hair in your environment. Because they tend to shed a lot, their fur will leave bits and pieces all over the house – on surfaces like furniture and rugs – as well as in the air. When grooming your Ragdoll it is advisable to wear gloves or ask someone else in your household to take on the chore if you suffer from pet allergies.
Breathe a little easier with the Burt's Bees Dander Reducing Cat Spray. Made with some of nature’s finest ingredients for your peace of mind and a happy cat, this gentle spray includes colloidal oat flour and aloe vera, which deeply conditions dry skin and reduces flaking. Not only will this leave your cat feeling his very best, but it can actually help owners with allergies, and it’s all pH balanced just for the felines with no sulfates or colorants.
- Consider bathing your cat. Most cats do not like water be some will be willing to let you bathe them. Although experts aren’t certain if this will make much of an impact on the exposure of the proteins.
Enjoy the time you spend with your exceptional cat to the fullest with Purina Pro Plan LIVECLEAR Rinse Free Allergen Reducing dry shampoo for cats. Our rinse free shampoo is shown to reduce the allergens in cat hair and dander safely and simply and features a cleansing foam that's fast acting and easy to use. To meet your ingredient expectations, we make this 99.8% natural shampoo with a pH balanced, hypoallergenic formula. A pump dispenser makes application quick and convenient, and the waterless cat shampoo formula means there's no need to wash it out when you're done—just lightly brush her coat after massaging the cleansing foam in her hair. Use this foam cat shampoo as needed. To target allergens at the source, also look to Purina Pro Plan LIVECLEAR dry cat food. This revolutionary formula, the first of its kind, uses a key protein in eggs to neutralize a common allergen in cat saliva, Fel D 1. It's been shown to reduce cat allergens in her hair and dander by an average of 47% starting in the third week of daily feeding. When paired together, our fast-acting rinse free cat shampoo and groundbreaking dry food formulas make a powerful duo in allergen control. For innovative products backed by science, turn to Purina Pro Plan for cats, and get the upper hand on allergens in your home with the LIVECLEAR line of cat food and shampoo.
- Some breeds of cats, such as ragdoll cats, easily develop dander or a dull coat. If this is an issue with your Ragdoll, make sure to provide them with supplements like Omega 3 fatty acids. This will keep their fur shiny and smooth. Purina Pro Plan LIVECLEAR cat food claims to significantly reduce the major allergen in cat hair and dander by an average of 47 percent starting in the third week of feeding
Purina Pro Plan Allergen Reducing, High Protein Cat Food$39.58Buy Now from AmazonLIVECLEAR is the first and only cat food with the power to reduce cat allergens simply and safely by neutralizing Fel D 1, a common allergen in cat saliva, using a key protein from eggs
Discovered through over a decade of research, Pro Plan LIVECLEAR cat food significantly reduces the major allergen in cat hair and dander by an average of 47 percent starting in the third week of feeding
Salmon is the first ingredient in this high protein dry cat food for skin and coat care
Safe and nutritious adult digestive dry cat food is fortified with guaranteed live probiotics for digestive and immune health
10/12/2024 05:40 pm GMT - 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 returning home.
Can Ragdolls have Allergies?
Just like humans, Ragdolls can develop allergies of their own. There are a few common categories of allergies in cats, like food , environmental things such as pollen, grasses and dust mites, and fleas and ticks, which means that your cat may experience reactions from one or more of these things.
If you think your Ragdoll may be allergic to something, it is important that you take steps to limit exposure to these allergens. While it is not certain what causes these allergies, there are some things that you can do to help reduce your cat’s exposure to allergens. Find out more about allergies that your Ragdoll Cat may suffer from and how best to deal with them.
If you think your cat may be allergic to cat litter then make sure you read our guide for the best hypoallergenic cat 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 a cat’s coat may find that they can live happily alongside a Ragdoll without presenting any issues. Although some people believe that ragdolls are a good choice for people who are allergic to cats, this is not always the case. If you are planning on getting a Ragdoll cat and think that you may be allergic to cats, it is important to speak with your doctor about all the options.
Find out more about Ragdoll Cats
