anyone own a sphynx, cornish/devin rex, russian blue, or siberian cat???

[kcoursolle]

Hi everyone,
Does anyone own one of those cats and want to tell me any experiences you''ve had with people with cat allergies visiting your home? I desperately want a cat, but DH is allergenic. A good friend of mine who is a pet expert said that these are the best breeds for people with cat allergies, except for the cats that cost 6k that are specifically genetically engineered to be hypo-allergenic.

What are these breeds like, friendly, lively, etc.?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ksinger]

Well, I don''t know about the Sphynx or the Rex''s, but I do know the Siberian is a big kittie, first and foremost, so unless you have alot of space, think twice. These big cats need bunches of room, just like big dogs. (I had a Maine Coone at one time, so I know whereof I speak...I have a small house. It didn''t work out.)

Basically, they say that some breeds produce more of the substance that typically causes allergic reactions. That said, I''ve had a Birman, (who was horribly spoiled and lived til the ripe and crotchety old age of 19) which, like the Siberian, is also supposed to be less allergy causing than some breeds. One friend of mine was terribly allergic to cats, and my cat, with typical feline perversity, would go to him and only to him, and try to rub on his face. He never did have a reaction. Birmans are also nice because although they are long-haired, they don''t mat and don''t HAVE to be brushed every 5 minutes. The best of both worlds. Fluffy AND low maintenence!

My fiance has had a Russian and he LOVED his temperment - laid-back and gentle, but playful. Gorgeous cats. Can''t speak to their allergy quotient tho.

Not much help I suppose, but I hope you find the right baby. ONE day, we''ll have cats again....right now we have a big black lab. He''s enough for now.

 

[kcoursolle]

Thanks ksinger, this was actually pretty helpful. I don''t know much about Birmans, but I will definitely look into them. Thanks for the suggestion! These breeds are a little harder to find, so if I have another breed I can look for it will definitely help. I want DH to meet some breeds and see whether he has a reaction. I''m optimistic that there is a cat out there somewhere for us!

 

[Hera]

We bought my mom a Russian Blue a few years ago. They stay extremely playful (like kittens) for their whole life. Here's a picture of her

Haven't heard anything about the allergies though. She alternates between being very sweet and not wanting to be touched. She is the exception because I've heard this breed is very mild and sweet (I think my mom getting her declawed contributed to it as well

) I've heard (I think on here) that you can test a kittens friendliness my putting your hand out and seeing if the cat puts his head against it. I know we picked out our cat because he came up to us.

 

[Deelight]

I don''t own any of those cat breeds but something to consider if you get a sphinx is that you will need to bathe them as they can develop acne due to the fact they have no fur.

 

[Delster]

kcoursolle have you seen these threads?

Anyone else out there have a Sphynx?
Cat Allergies?
Hypoallergenic Kitties???

A common theme from those threads is that you need to figure out if your hubby is allergic to cat FUR or cat DANDER. The latter is more common and with hairless breeds there is a chance he could be even more allergic to the animal, as without hair to trap the dander it escapes into the air more quickly.

I feel your pain - I adore cats but can''t ever have one as I am horrendously allergic

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

My mom''s best friend has a russian blue. My experience is that they are mellow, especially smart and sometimes aloof. Stella really is a love though and unless your are looking for an uber affectionate cat, they are great.

I don''t know this for a fact, but I have heard that rexs often don''t have the best personality.
I don''t know about their allergens, but birmans are very sweet cats.

 

[Miscka]

heraanderson that is a GORGEOUS cat!!!!

KCoursolle, I wish I had advice for you, as my Bf is highly allergic to my 2 cats and cannot even come over for dinner

Luckily, my roommate will be taking them when we move out soon, but I will be so sad! I hope you find a good solution!

 

[Delster]

Date: 2/12/2008 9:19:05 AM
Author: Miscka
heraanderson that is a GORGEOUS cat!!!!

KCoursolle, I wish I had advice for you, as my Bf is highly allergic to my 2 cats and cannot even come over for dinner

Luckily, my roommate will be taking them when we move out soon, but I will be so sad! I hope you find a good solution!

Miscka you think that's bad??? My first few days on my new college course last year I couldn't figure out why I was suffering so bad with allergies. Nose stuffed, headache, sore throat, eyes running itching and burning. I was in so much pain after just two days I went to a pharmacy and got some antihistamines. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what was wrong. I hadn't gone near a cat in years! Then I found out the girl I was sitting beside had a cat at home. The cat dander on her clothes was enough to set me off. The reaction lasted even for hours after I'd gone home and then I'd meet her the next morning and off I'd go again...

Why oh why oh why does this happen me when I love cats so much?!?!?

I totally agree heraanderson, that cat is beeeeyoootiful

 

[LegacyGirl]

My Aunt and Uncle and also my Cousins own Rexes. Both of those cats are so flipping cute and I want one so bad! They bought a Rex because both of them have allergies. They have not had any sort of reaction to these cats. My Cousin has asthma and this cat does not trigger anything. They are very happy with their kitties.

Their cats were so friendly and energetic. They would bounce like 6'' in the air to grab a toy and they always wanted to play. They also traveled in the car extreemly well without being in a carrier. They brought them to FL from NC for the holidays and I couldn''t believe how well behavied they were. I believe their cost was $750 (but the one my Cousin had was actually a wedding gift, and she''s all white which I thougt was so appropriate

).

 

[Miscka]

Delster that is awful!!! It bothers BF if I have been holding a cat and then go to his house. I have to think ahead and if I know I am going over there I cannot love on my kitties or I have to change clothes. Maybe someday they will invent a magical cure! I am not sure I trust allergy shots...

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 2/12/2008 2:40:35 AM
Author: heraanderson
We bought my mom a Russian Blue a few years ago. They stay extremely playful (like kittens) for their whole life. Here''s a picture of her

Haven''t heard anything about the allergies though. She alternates between being very sweet and not wanting to be touched. She is the exception because I''ve heard this breed is very mild and sweet (I think my mom getting her declawed contributed to it as well

) I''ve heard (I think on here) that you can test a kittens friendliness my putting your hand out and seeing if the cat puts his head against it. I know we picked out our cat because he came up to us.

oh my goodness, she is adorable!!!!! Thanks for your description of her personality too, sounds like a lovely pet. I''ve heard similar things about declawing that it can sometimes affect personality, I''ll try not to do it unless absolutely necessary. We''ve had cats with claws that weren''t a problem at all!

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 2/12/2008 3:43:02 AM
Author: Deelight
I don''t own any of those cat breeds but something to consider if you get a sphinx is that you will need to bathe them as they can develop acne due to the fact they have no fur.

I''m aware of this. Apparently that have oil in there skin similar to humans and need to be bathed at least monthly. I can deal with this and it definitely beats vacuuming double time due to cat hair.

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 2/12/2008 6:01:20 AM
Author: Delster
kcoursolle have you seen these threads?

Anyone else out there have a Sphynx?
Cat Allergies?
Hypoallergenic Kitties???

A common theme from those threads is that you need to figure out if your hubby is allergic to cat FUR or cat DANDER. The latter is more common and with hairless breeds there is a chance he could be even more allergic to the animal, as without hair to trap the dander it escapes into the air more quickly.

I feel your pain - I adore cats but can''t ever have one as I am horrendously allergic

This was so helpful, thanks for posting these threads! We aren''t sure if he''s allergic to the hair or the combination of saliva + dander. I''ve emailed a few sphynx breeders in so cal and I''m hoping that we can go visit some cats and see how he reacts before we buy a cat. Cross your fingers...I really want a cat!

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 2/12/2008 9:19:05 AM
Author: Miscka
heraanderson that is a GORGEOUS cat!!!!

KCoursolle, I wish I had advice for you, as my Bf is highly allergic to my 2 cats and cannot even come over for dinner

Luckily, my roommate will be taking them when we move out soon, but I will be so sad! I hope you find a good solution!

That''s so sad, I''m so sorry you have to give up your cat!! Hopefully you''ll still get to visit them since your friend is taking them.

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 2/12/2008 4:15:01 PM
Author: LegacyGirl
My Aunt and Uncle and also my Cousins own Rexes. Both of those cats are so flipping cute and I want one so bad! They bought a Rex because both of them have allergies. They have not had any sort of reaction to these cats. My Cousin has asthma and this cat does not trigger anything. They are very happy with their kitties.

Their cats were so friendly and energetic. They would bounce like 6'' in the air to grab a toy and they always wanted to play. They also traveled in the car extreemly well without being in a carrier. They brought them to FL from NC for the holidays and I couldn''t believe how well behavied they were. I believe their cost was $750 (but the one my Cousin had was actually a wedding gift, and she''s all white which I thougt was so appropriate

).

Aw, they sound like so much fun!!! I would love a fun playful cat!

 

[LegacyGirl]

Date: 2/12/2008 7:04:41 PM
Author: kcoursolle

Date: 2/12/2008 4:15:01 PM
Author: LegacyGirl
My Aunt and Uncle and also my Cousins own Rexes. Both of those cats are so flipping cute and I want one so bad! They bought a Rex because both of them have allergies. They have not had any sort of reaction to these cats. My Cousin has asthma and this cat does not trigger anything. They are very happy with their kitties.

Their cats were so friendly and energetic. They would bounce like 6'' in the air to grab a toy and they always wanted to play. They also traveled in the car extreemly well without being in a carrier. They brought them to FL from NC for the holidays and I couldn''t believe how well behavied they were. I believe their cost was $750 (but the one my Cousin had was actually a wedding gift, and she''s all white which I thougt was so appropriate

).

Aw, they sound like so much fun!!! I would love a fun playful cat!

After playing with them I really wanted to get one but my cat now HATES other kitties so no more for me (she loves my little Chihuahua though and its so funny watching the 3lb dog boss around the 13lb cat).

 

[Deelight]

Date: 2/12/2008 7:01:08 PM
Author: kcoursolle

Date: 2/12/2008 6:01:20 AM

Author: Delster

kcoursolle have you seen these threads?


Anyone else out there have a Sphynx?

Cat Allergies?

Hypoallergenic Kitties???


A common theme from those threads is that you need to figure out if your hubby is allergic to cat FUR or cat DANDER. The latter is more common and with hairless breeds there is a chance he could be even more allergic to the animal, as without hair to trap the dander it escapes into the air more quickly.


I feel your pain - I adore cats but can''t ever have one as I am horrendously allergic

This was so helpful, thanks for posting these threads! We aren''t sure if he''s allergic to the hair or the combination of saliva + dander. I''ve emailed a few sphynx breeders in so cal and I''m hoping that we can go visit some cats and see how he reacts before we buy a cat. Cross your fingers...I really want a cat!

Awesome I personally adore the look of them and after a long haired domestic and a persian my next kitty is gonna have NO hair