When talking about Siberian cats, their hypoallergenicity is often mentioned. However, according to experts, this statement does not provide a complete guarantee that an allergic reaction cannot occur when coming into contact with cats of this breed.
In fact, most people are not allergic to the cat’s hair, but to a protein in its saliva. The cat spends much of the day grooming itself, spreading protein all over its fur with its saliva. Since the cat loses hair when it is stroked or when the allergen is otherwise dispersed in the air, sensitive people react immediately: sneezing fits, watery eyes, skin and eye irritations occur.
Most Siberians have a lower level of Fel d 1 protein in their saliva, which gives them th reputation of being hypoallergenic. However, as
1) not every cat produces the same amount of this protein
and
2) it may not be the only cause of allergy,
we recomment that you check with the breeder beforehand and be sure to visit the cattery before choosing a kitten.
Hair samples from a particular cat can serve as material for examination by an allergist.
Many of our club members have extensive positive experience with families where there is a cat allergy. A large number of Siberian and Neva Masquerade kittens live happily in appropriate families and do not cause any allergic reaction.