If you are looking for a cat breed to adopt, it is perfect for your family. These coon cats have a friendly nature and are natives of New Englander. It is the world’s longest house cat. The size of these cats can be grown up to 4 feet.
These Maine coon cats have double-layered fur. The second layer grows taller than the first one and protects the first one. You can maintain these cats easily as they are not very demanding. They also keep their instinct of hunting, if you need them to hunt mouse.
They have ear tufts growing on the inner part of their ear that makes them more affectionate. These tufts protect them from different environmental conditions. However, some cats do not grow these tufts. It all depends on their genetics. If the cat is purebred, they will grow these tufts; otherwise, it might be questionable.
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Are Maine Coon Cats Hypoallergenic?
Hypoallergenic cats mean that they produce lower levels of Fel d 1. Generally, the cats and the dogs that shed more hair or have long hair might cause allergies to the people. If we talk about cats, there are many cats with long hair that shed very much. This includes Persian cats, Maine coons, the British longhairs, and many more.
If you are suffering from any allergy, then it is suggested that you should avoid male cats and black-colored cats. As they shed more hair as compared to light-colored female cats. If you decide to adopt a Maine coon, you have to keep them away from certain rooms, clean their beds, sweep the house frequently, and many more things. It will help you to clean the hairs and prevent them from entering certain rooms.
What Causes Cat Allergies?
Almost 10% of people in the world are animal allergic, and the most common animal among those animals is the cat. Allergies because of cats are two times more than the dog’s allergies. Many people confuse the allergy with the hair of the cat. However, it is not true, and sometimes you are not allergic to cat hairs.
There are other things in the cat such as their dander, protein, urine, etc. dander means the dried flakes of the cat’s skin. So if you are allergic, you must not buy a cat, even a cat with small fur.
What Are Some Of The Cat Allergy Symptoms?
If you have cat allergies and you do not know about that, then a few things will tell you whether you are cat allergic or not.
- Coughing and wheezing,
- Itchy eyes,
- Redness on your skin,
- Running nose,
- Itchiness inside and outside the nose,
- Redness all around the area where the cat has licked you, etc.
So these are some symptoms that you will get when you are handling a cat. Moreover, it takes only a few minutes or a few hours to show you these symptoms. People who are suffering from asthma should also catch many problems when a cat is around them.
So having a cat as your pet might not be safe for your health. So before buying or adopting a cat, make sure that you do not cat allergic. For this, just visit your doctor, and they will tell you by doing a blood test. Otherwise, you have to face a lot of problems in handling the cat.
How Do You Reduce The Cat Allergies?
Cat allergies can be controlled easily with the help of drugs. You have to consult your doctor. He will suggest some drugs that will help you to get rid of cat allergies. The following two drugs can be used:
- Antihistamines: These drugs can be readily available over the counter.
- Decongestants: These are also readily available over the counter
- Nasal steroid sprays: These sprays are a standard treatment for allergies
Allergy shots are another option that you can go with. These shots are not always effective, and it also takes years to complete the treatment. But keep in mind do not use these shots for children below the age of 5.
The effects of these allergic shots differ from person to person. So you should consult with the doctor whether they will be effective on you or not. Some people grow allergies from pets over the years, while some who have the allergy and live with the cat and dogs might worsen.
Also Read: Maine Coon Temperament
Maine Coon Food Allergies
However, this cat is loved by many people because of its friendly nature. Along with its good nature, it comes with many other problems. The main problem is allergies. These cats cause many allergies in humans because the protein produced by them is greater than the other. Not only this, but these cats also have some food allergies.
Just like humans, they also develop allergies. Different Maine coons develop allergies regarding different food items. Some common allergies that can be seen in these cats are Atopic Dermatitis, Flea Allergy Dermatitis, and Plastic Allergies.
Which Cat Breeds Are Hypoallergenic?
However, some cats are hypoallergenic. Some cats produce significantly less amount of Fel d 1. It is the protein that is produced by the cat’s saliva and other glands. The Siberian and the Balinese are the two most famous cats that are also termed hypoallergenic. They produce very low levels of allergens that cause problems to humans.
There are many other cats also that do not produce many allergens. However, it does not ensure that the cat allergic person will not get affected by these cats. These cats can cause problems to humans like redness and others. So you should know how to manage your allergies and cat at the same time if you own a cat.
Final Words
So it is all about the cats and the allergies that spread. Mainly because of their long hair and shedding problems. Along with the problem, many other things in the cat cause allergies in the human. Before adopting a cat, just go through all the tests that will tell you whether you are cat allergic or not.
