Are Bombay Cats Hypoallergenic? Vet-Approved Facts & Tips
By Lorre Luther
Updated on
Bombay Cats are friendly and outgoing, with short black coats, yellow eyes, and full faces. They have lithe, elegant bodies that weigh 6 to 11 pounds. They’re smart and typically great with children and well-behaved dogs. But are these cats hypoallergenic? Unfortunately, Bombay Cats are not hypoallergenic, but no cat is truly hypoallergenic. Although they shed less than some cats, they still produce the proteins responsible for causing allergic reactions in susceptible people.
What Causes Cat Allergies?
Allergies caused by exposure to cats are essentially immune system overreactions to specific proteins (allergens) found in feline saliva and sebaceous glands from the face, skin and anal sacs. The Fel d1 protein is the most common culprit, but a few others can also trigger allergy symptoms. Humans with sensitivities to these proteins often react when around cats or in environments where they frequently hang out. When cats groom themselves, the allergens from their saliva spread to their fur and get shed through their hair and dander (dead skin cells).
So, Are There Hypoallergenic Breeds?
Unfortunately, hypoallergenic cats don’t exist. All cats, even hairless ones, produce the proteins often responsible for the sneezing and runny noses of human allergy sufferers.
Some sources recommend certain cat breeds for allergy sufferers. For example Siberian cats, claimed to produce less Fel d1 than others, as well as Burmese and Javanese cats, since their smooth, short coats don’t shed much or require much grooming to keep in shape. Hairless Sphynx Cats are often considered good choices for people who are allergic to cats. The above claims are not backed up by science since all cats produce and shed allergens, even hairless cats!
Some People Who Are Allergic to Cats Have Feline Companions!
Not all people react to cats in the same way! Some individuals have mild symptoms such as itchy eyes or an occasional stuffy nose if they spend too much time cuddled up with a cat. Others can have full-blown reactions, progressing to serious events like asthma attacks.
Cats produce differing amounts of the most common triggering proteins, and several proteins can cause allergic reactions in humans. All cats produce their unique protein cocktails, making it difficult to predict how allergy sufferers will react to specific cats.
But there are a few things that can help reduce mild allergy symptoms, such as frequent vacuuming, making bedrooms cat-free areas, and using high-quality air filters to reduce the amount of dander floating in the air.
The 5 Tips for Living With Cats and Cat Allergies
1. Vacuuming
Vacuuming is the cornerstone of any anti-dander plan. Plan on vacuuming regularly to prevent allergens from getting out of control. Some models have HEPA filters that trap small particles so they can be removed from the environment. Spending more time vacuuming in the bedrooms and places where pets like to hang out is best, and you can remove the sofa cushions to ensure all the nooks and crannies are reached and thoroughly cleaned. Also, you can wash your cat’s bedding more often to minimize the dander in your home.
2. Replace Carpets
Carpets hold onto dirt, hair, and dander more tenaciously than hardwood, marble, and tile floors. Removing the carpets in bedrooms can go a long way toward making the environment more comfortable for allergy sufferers. You can also clean hardwood floors with a damp mop to prevent dust and dander from swirling up and being redistributed.
3. Keep Cats Out of Bedrooms
While cats often enjoy sleeping with their human companions, sometimes it’s best to make bedrooms off-limits to pets. People generally spend substantial amounts of time in their bedrooms, and most spend a minimum of around 8 hours just sleeping. Add in getting ready and reading before bed, and it’s surprising how much time is spent in bedrooms.
Making sleeping areas cat-free spaces can sometimes help mild allergy symptoms. But keep in mind that dander still migrates into most rooms in homes with cats, so regular cleaning will still be needed in even feline-free zones. Daily vacuuming may be necessary depending on the severity of the allergies.
4. Use an Air Purifier
Consider using a purifier with a HEPA filter to help keep allergens under control. It can reduce the amount of dander in the area and minimize mild allergy symptoms. Several air purifiers are available, including high-quality choices that don’t cost a fortune but do a solid job of getting rid of allergens. It’s even possible to find purifiers for small spaces and ones that suck up pet hair.
5. Seek Medical Help
People with relatively mild allergy symptoms can often get some relief from a combination of medication, home measures, and allergy shots. Over time, this sort of immunotherapy sometimes reduces sensitivity to specific allergens. Allergy shots take time to work but may be worth considering for those considering adopting a cat. Your allergy signs will largely depend on whether you have other allergies, as well as your symptom threshold. This means the level of exposure to the different allergens that you can cope with before developing the uncomfortable allergy signs.
Does a Cat’s Diet Play a Role in Allergen Production?
Following research, a brand of cat food has created a complete and balanced dry food that has proved to reduce the major cat allergen (Fel d1) in cats fed this diet. Cats that produced the higher levels of allergen had the greatest decrease. Most cats in the study had 47% less Fel d1 in their saliva after eating the diet for about 3 weeks. The kibble, coated with anti-Fel d1 antibodies, may hold promise in reducing the amount of Fel d1 protein cats make.
Conclusion
Bombay cats make almost perfect companions, but you should speak to your vet and your doctor if you suffer from cat allergies. Bombay cats have gorgeous short, black fur that doesn’t require much maintenance, but they can’t be considered allergy-friendly cats.
Allergies are caused by proteins that all cats produce in different amounts, so it’s technically impossible to find a truly hypoallergenic cat. Mild allergy signs can sometimes be managed with a few environmental tweaks, such as using HEPA filters and keeping cats out of sleeping areas.
Featured Image Credit: xiclography, Pixabay
