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Are Savannah Cats Hypoallergenic? A Guide For Allergy Sufferers
Not all cat lovers can have their favorite pets in their houses because of allergies.
To solve this problem, many breeders work on new breeds to minimize the risk of allergies in these animals. Savannah cats are a good example.
Are Savannah cats hypoallergenic? How to reduce allergies while raising your pets? This article will be what sensitive cat lovers need. We will reveal the answers to these questions and share some tips to take care of Savannahs.
You must be eager to bring a cat to your house. So what are you waiting for? Keep scrolling down to see what we suggest!
Are Savannah Cats Hypoallergenic?
Yes. Because of their low risk of triggering allergies, Savannah cats are mostly hypoallergenic. However, some allergy sufferers may still have allergies.
The domestic cat used for breeding affects the potential to cause allergies as well. If you choose a hypoallergenic domestic one, you can decrease the danger of allergies brought by Savannah cats.
Why is a Savannah cat hypoallergenic? The following factors will reveal the answer. You can apply to check if you have a hypoallergenic Savannah cat.
Allergies
Cats may cause skin or respiratory allergies regardless of how much they shed. In this regard, Savannah cats don't often cause these problems.
Although folks with skin sensitivity have specific concerns, those with asthma or respiratory issues must consider this breed's rate of shedding.
Not all Savannah cats are the same. To tell if yours is safe, take him to the local breeder to have him checked. Every breeder has a different perspective on how their cats affect allergies.
Shedding
Good news for those who don't like suffering from fur-shedding: Savannah cats are one of the least shedding cat breeds. Shedding only occurs during spring or when the temperature in your house fluctuates significantly.
However, these cats may shed when they feel stressed, bored, and growing. Their growth phase is long, so expect the shedding issue to occur during your pet's first two years.
Savannahs don't have long hair. Hence, even when they shed, you need time to realize it. Their hair is smooth and doesn't often cling to your furniture. Hence, you won't find it annoying to clean the shed fur.
These cats are pretty big, making it difficult for them to access tiny corners in your home. As a result, it might minimize the spread of allergies in your house.
Dander and saliva
Allergy-causing proteins in dander or saliva often affect people with skin allergies. These allergies depend on one's particular sensitivities. So if you are not allergic to Savannah's dander, it's fine to have one in your house.
Numerous people who suffer from cat allergies claim that Savannah cats are more tolerable for them than many other breeds. In this case, the Serval parent is the key.
The dander of an African Serval is different from a domestic cat. Savannahs shed considerably less, limiting the transmission of dander in your house.
All cats drool when they are comfortable, which is normal in terms of saliva exposure. Yet, the dry saliva on their fur due to their self-grooming routines poses some threats to you. So before touching your cat, get some cat wipes to clear the saliva from their hair.
Grooming
Savannahs are usually clean cats that don't require frequent washing. Meanwhile, excessive washing might irritate your feline's skin, cause shedding, and increase dander production.
Factors That Increase Shedding In Savannah Cats
Savannahs are low-shedding cats, but they still shed. To those with allergies, shedding always remains one of the most terrible problems. The following factors will worsen the problem.
Stress
Savannahs are active; therefore, you need to give them a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep them happy. If left alone, they will become stressed and shed more.
Stress shedding occurs due to the arrector pili muscles connected to their hair follicles. Those muscles contract when your pet gets stressed, causing his fur to stand on and drop.
If you detect lumps of fur on your rug continuously, check on your pet. There may be some stress triggers around him.
Photoperiod
The amount of light cats are exposed to is photoperiod. The longer they stay in the sun, the more they may shed. It's why their shedding seasons start in the spring when the days are longer.
Sunburn also contributes to excessive shedding; this condition is more common in short-haired kittens like the Savannahs.
So, keep an eye on how long those cats enjoy the sunlight. They love the sun, but you should limit their time outdoors if you think they get sunburnt.
As you can guess, indoor cats shed less than outdoor ones because they rarely access sunlight. They can avoid their primary shedding time and only shed a little throughout the year.
Underlying Medical Issues
Contact your vet if you spot any bald patches on your cat, as they can be symptoms of a skin problem. The causes might vary from dietary or environmental sensitivities to fleas and mites.
See more cat pictures at: Cat Images
Diet
Savannah cats have a wild background. Hence, they need meat-based foods to stay healthy. If you give them low-quality diets, they will suffer from many health problems. The symptoms include hair loss, an untidy look, and lethargy. Even though Savannah cats are famous for their excellent health, they are nevertheless prone to illnesses that impact other cat breeds. The simplest method to prevent health issues from occurring is to keep your pet on a high-quality diet. Also, keep an eye on him to identify the problem soon.
How To Reduce Allergies?
You can consider your Savannah cat hypoallergenic cats. But it can't completely eliminate the risks. So, you should also perform other practices to solve your problem.
Training
Savannahs are suitable for training because they are independent and love attention. With good reinforcement, you can train them in anything.
No matter which lesson you focus on, start with the following:
- Not licking you, especially if you are sensitive to cat saliva
- Staying with the compound's borders
- Not accessing your bedroom
- Getting familiar with grooming
Groom your cat
Grooming is a good way to limit shedding. The routines below will help you do it properly.
- Frequent brushing
Savannah cats need weekly brushing. But if you have allergies, brush them every day to minimize shedding.
If you intend to perform this treatment regularly, train your pet to accept it. During the first brushings, expect your furball to react a little.
- Use shedding gloves
Using cat-shedding gloves will make the brushing process easier. Your cat is also more likely to accept the treatment.
- Brushing timing
It would be best to brush your Savannah at the end of the day because he's tired after playing for hours. Then, you won't need much effort for the job.
Clean your house
Paying attention to Savannahs is a must. But it's equally important to keep your house clean when it comes to reducing allergies. What should you do here?
- Vacuum your house regularly
Your little furball friend likes to play around your house and leave his hair there. To handle this situation, habitually vacuum your home regularly, especially in the cat's resting spots.
Clean the furniture too. Using a microfiber cloth, you can wipe surfaces like tables or shelves. These places must have gathered a lot of dust and dander.
- Install an air filter
If you have severe allergies, investing in an air filter will be an excellent solution. It will help eliminate allergens in the air, making breathing easier and safer.
- Optimize your furniture
Savannahs love soft surfaces, such as carpets or sofas. Why don't you install wood flooring? This material is easy to wash. Moreover, it doesn't absorb allergens as carpets do.
If your cat loves to lie on your sofa, let him do it. But allergy sufferers should use leather sofas instead of fabric ones.
This video will give you extra tips to reduce allergies:
Can You Live With A Cat If You Are Allergic?
Yes. Despite having a cat allergy, many people still keep cats, and you have several choices for handling your allergy.
First, over time, your allergic response will fade. The allergic reaction is your immune system overreacting. Once your body gets familiar with your cat's allergens, the effect will turn milder.
Second, you can manage your Savannah cat allergies directly using shots or other methods. These solutions are suitable for those with severe allergies.
Please note that those shots don't work like vaccines. Hence, you have to get them frequently to take advantage of the treatment.
Conclusion
Savannah cats are mostly hypoallergenic. Moreover, they shed less than most breeds of cats, making them a good choice for allergy sufferers.
However, we can't guarantee that all Savannahs are safe in terms of allergies. When you have one, learn how to reduce the risks by constantly taking care of your pet and keeping an eye on him.
Hopefully, even if you are allergic to cats, you can find a way to adopt one in your house. He will be a reliable buddy that you won't want to skip.
Thank you for reading!
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