Dolittler: Kitty corners: Real life outdoor enclosures for cats

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Cats out of doors: On the emerging importance of outdoor enclosures for felines (March 15, 2008)

Comments

Just a thought have you tried a Siberian Forest Cat. It is my understanding they produce a significantly less amount of the protein Fel d1 then most cats. I am allergic and just got one a few months ago and I am fine. Most breeders will allow you to visit and interact with the cats to see if there is any reaction.

# Posted By Regenia | 3/25/08 9:25 AM

Funny you mention it. Gina over at PetConnection just recommended the same thing a couple of days ago.

# Posted By Dr. Patty Khuly | 3/25/08 11:35 AM

A Sphynx might be another alternative. They are for all practical purposes hairless, so a lot of beans who can't handle a typical kittie can have a Sphynx.

<a href="http://dragonheartsdomain.blogspot.com/">Dragonheart & Merlin</a> have a blog with more information.

# Posted By Radcliff, Allie, Luna, & Ozzie | 3/25/08 2:59 PM

Greetings! I found your site through the cat blogosphere intro today.

I think the cat safety devices are a brilliant idea but with your son's allergies, I think it would be of benefit to offer him up for adoption. That way you could have as many cats as you wish! Preferably siamese, but then I am biased.

Oh ok,I understand humans don't think like me. How about getting a hairless kitty like a sphynx? He might not be allergic to that!

x

# Posted By HRH Yao-Lin | 3/25/08 3:03 PM

Giving him up for adoption is *always* on the table. ;-)

We fostered two Devon Rex's about seven years ago or so. We battled sinus infection after sinus infection after that travesty. It's always horrible to fall in love only to find that it wasn't meant to be.

# Posted By Dr. Patty Khuly | 3/25/08 4:05 PM

I never found the Sphinx or Rex breeds to be any different in terms of allergies. They made me sneeze and wheeze. After all, it's not the hair (or lack thereof), it's the dander, saliva, etc.

The Siberian ... strictly anecdotal, and I'm truly afraid putting the word out there will immediately result in lots of greedy idiots passing any long-haired cat off as one, or breeding them without regard to allergy testing or the breed's health issues, but ... Clara the Siberian has been here for a year, and my allergies do not react to her. Even more significant, my brother, who is severely allergic, has no troubles visiting, either.

So ... glimmer of hope for those who dream of getting a cat, but ... BUYER BEWARE.

# Posted By Gina Spadafori | 3/25/08 8:10 PM

I know a lot of people with severe cat allergies who don't react to the Sphynx- and they are easier to keep cleaner too. BUT of course, there is always that one (or two or ten) who still have horrible reactions! Problem with going with a hard-to-find breed is that a good breeder isn't going to offer you a kitten on a 'trial basis' and oftentimes the breeder you want isn't close to where you live! UGH!

Anyways, love the enclosures! Would love to do one someday :)

# Posted By Trish | 3/25/08 9:12 PM

Cat enclosures are great, although expensive if you go the commercial route - cheaper if you build it yourself. The only problem I have is with the ones that connect with tunnels - cats love the tunnels, but I see the potential for a cat going into a tunnel and the owner not being able to get at the cat, for medicating, or the cat is ill and won't move. You do have the option of pulling them apart though.

Then again, I rescued my cat from a storm drain, by his tail, because it was my only choice (didnt damage him), when he was an outdoor cat.

# Posted By Robin | 3/26/08 5:12 PM

Raw-fed cats don't produce as much of the allergen as kibble-fed cats. I don't know if there is "scientific evidence" to back this up, but I've heard enough anecdotal evidence to say that it at least is worth looking into. Furthermore, if your son gets his gut health in order (with a proper diet and plenty of probiotics - I'm certainly no gut health expert, I'm barely starting to grasp it now), he should be able to ward off allergens better...

# Posted By Sabrina | 3/29/08 2:03 AM

This is something other volunteers and I have noticed at the local cat shelter:
Black cats seem less allergic! ....maybe because they are not double coated so have less fur -- and allergy potential is progressive to the double coated with orange in the high allergy zone for some people.

It could be worth going to a shelter where cats have been there for a while, and having you son give them a sniff test... or even taking baggies of black, white, grey, tabby, beige, calico and orange cat hair home for trial. Your clients would be great since you could brush some during an exam and you already know which cats have proper nutrition and no medical issues to skew results.

It'd be great if it works for you and others too...

# Posted By rose | 3/29/08 6:44 PM

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