allergies to cats

Question
Our family would like to get a cat. Unfortunately I am allergic to them. My mother & brother who come to visit are much more allergic to them than me. Is there a breed that is better for people with allergies? Or is there a spray that is better than another to prevent dander? I used to have 2 cats, & when I get used to the dander I am not so allergic, it's more for my family members than me.

Thank-You
Natalie

Answer
Hi, Natalie.  There are three main causes of cat allergies - saliva, eumelanin (the pigment that causes black and gray fur), and dander.  I myself am allergic to eumelanin and am okay with all cats but black ones.  So in my case, the breed of the cat wouldn't matter as much as the color.

For people who are allergic to the saliva, short-haired cats that shed minimally are best.  That's because cats groom constantly and leave their fur coated with allergenic saliva.  Less fur means less saliva.  Some good choices are the hairless breeds (Sphynx, Peterbald), the Rexes (Cornish Rex, Selkirk Rex, Devon Rex), and Oriental breeds (Siamese, Oriental Shorthairs, Tonkinese, Burmese, Korat).  The Ragdoll, Javanese and Balinese have longer hair, but it is a single-coat, and they shed very minimally and are less allergenic than other long-haired cats.  

Those breeds are also good for people allergic to dander and fur.  If you can manage to brush them, that's the best way to prevent dander from spreading throughout the house.  Also, feeding a high-quality diet (generally, anything sold at a pet store) can help reduce flakiness and shedding.  You can also add a teaspoon of fish oil to your cat's food a couple times a week to help moisturize the skin.  I haven't found the wipes to be of much use, personally.  I have found that using air purifiers helps a great deal, as well as vacuuming frequently.

Best wishes!

Jessica