What cats don't cause allergies?

[registereduser]

Originally Posted by Kithy

Also, be wary of "cheap" pets. Especially when looking at pet stores or from "breeders".

NEVER buy kittens or puppies from a pet store. NEVER.

[Kithy]

Originally Posted by registereduser

NEVER buy kittens or puppies from a pet store. NEVER.

Agreed. Godmother did that once and the poor thing had to be put down at the age of 2 for such severe problems.

[Leopardfire]

I want to get my kitten from a local shelter not a pet store. Shelter kittens are relatively healthy, right?

[LittleBettaFish]

Well they are really a genetic grab-bag since you don't know anything about the health and genetics of either parents. There's no guarantee unfortunately. Worst dog we ever owned health wise came from the RSPCA and the best cat we have ever owned came from the nearby cat shelter.

However, in my experience moggies tend to be pretty robust and I would definitely get one over a purebred any day of the week for our next cat. Unlike with dogs where certain breeds have been bred for certain jobs, cats are mostly all the same. We got a black and white moggy who has an almost identical personality to our Siamese (loud, intelligent and naughty) so you can find the temperament and appearance you want in a shelter cat or kitten.

[registereduser]

Originally Posted by Leopardfire

I want to get my kitten from a local shelter not a pet store. Shelter kittens are relatively healthy, right?

Relatively. When cats are housed together in large numbers it is very easy for them to get upper respiratory illnesses.

When you go to the shelter be sure to spend time with the cat/kittens you are interested in. Watch for sneezing or coughing, look for clean eyes, noses and ears.

URIs are usually not life threatening so if you do fall in love with one that seems ill, be prepared for a vet bill when you get it home. Shelters are not miracle workers, and many do not have health guarantees of any sort.

On the other hand a shelter cat will usually be spayed/neutered and tested for life threatening diseases like feline AIDS and feline leukemia and given the required immunizations, dewormed, etc.

[SnowySurface]

I noticed a lot of people say, "It's the dander that causes allergies," but that is not the only cat allergen. My Mom, Dad, and I are all allergic to cats. My Dad's allergy is to the fur and my Mom's allergy is to something in the urine. I'm allergic to the dander, something in the urine, and clumping cat litter.

There are natural alternatives you could use that don't have the chemical that makes it clump, but that isn't is a fool proof way to avoid litter allergies. My mom thought she was only allergic to the clumping litter and tried to have a cat with the natural non-clump liter but still had attacks because the allergen was in the urine itself. The special litter exists because some people are fine around the cat and the cat urine/poop but are allergic to the clumping litter only. Also, some people don't want their cats pawing at chemicals everytime they pee.

I'm not trying to discourage you or anything. I just wanted to warn you that there is more to cat allergies than dander. You may want to make sure your Dad won't have more trouble with the litterbox than the cat itself. : /

[Leopardfire]

That's a good point, SnowySurface. We're going to keep the litter box in the laundry room since my dad never goes there so hopefully that will be enough that he won't be bothered by the litter.

[ChoclateBetta]

Our dogs a purebred. I think it will depend on your dads allergies. You know like there are 2 different kinds of Apple allergies.

[Phaydra]

Originally Posted by Leopardfire

That's a good point, SnowySurface. We're going to keep the litter box in the laundry room since my dad never goes there so hopefully that will be enough that he won't be bothered by the litter.

Cats can learn to use the toilet. Some will even flush after themselves.

[ChoclateBetta]

Cats can be leash trained too.