The Oriental Shorthair cat breed is a good choice if you want a playful, intelligent and kid-friendly cat. These cats make good companions, but if you are prone to allergy attacks you may have to step back and weigh your options. Let’s consider some of the pros and cons of owning an Oriental Shorthair.
Are Oriental Shorthair cats hypoallergenic?
No, Oriental Shorthair cats are not hypoallergenic. They produce less dander and shed moderately because of their short and sleek coat. However, this does not mean that they won’t trigger an allergy attack.
No cat is hypoallergenic since all of them produce the Fel d 1 protein, the allergen that triggers allergic reactions. This can be found in the cat’s saliva, fur, urine, and dead skin or dander.
People who have allergies have immune systems that make antibodies to fight off the allergens. Reactions can cause symptoms like itching, skin rashes, runny nose, and asthma. Genetics plays a vital role in the development of allergies and allergy attacks.
Cat allergy symptoms
Common symptoms of a cat allergy include swelling and itching of the membranes around the nose and eyes that lead to a stuffy nose and eye inflammation. Other people develop rashes in the neck, face, and upper neck as a reaction to the allergen. If cat allergens reach the lungs, they can combine with antibodies and cause symptoms like difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and coughing. Cat allergies can also cause acute asthma attacks and trigger chronic asthma.
Cat allergy treatment options
There are several treatment options available to those with cat allergies. Some of the most common are:
- Corticosteroid nasal sprays like Flonase and Nasonex
- Over-the-counter decongestant sprays
- Antihistamines like Benadryl, Claritin, and Zyrtec
- Cromolyn sodium, which prevents the release of immune system chemicals and reduces symptoms
- Immunotherapy or allergy shots that desensitize you to allergens
- Leukotriene inhibitors like Singulair
- Nasal lavage to rinse the nasal passage and reduce post nasal drip and sneezing
- Acupuncture and probiotics
How to reduce cat allergies
There are also several ways you can manage your cat allergy symptoms without medication:
- Always wash your hands after you handle or touch your cat.
- Opt for wood flooring and clean walls instead of wall-to-wall carpeting and upholstered furniture.
- Keep your cat from going inside your bedroom.
- Use furniture covers and rugs that can be washed in hot water and wash them regularly.
- Cover your heating and air-conditioning vents with a filtering material, such as cheesecloth.
- Vacuum your home weekly with a HEPA filter vacuum.
- Place an air cleaner or air purifier in the rooms you use the most.
- See to it that the humidity level in your home is around 40 percent.
- Use face masks when cleaning or hire a non-allergic person to clean your home and your cat’s litter box.
About the Oriental Shorthair
Physical Features
This elegant and svelte cat breed weighs 8 to 12 pounds with males usually being heavier than females. They are part of the Siamese family of cat breeds which includes the Balinese and Oriental Longhair. Their lifespan is 8 to 12 years.
These cats have a medium coat length and shed moderately. Their coat colors include blue, white, ebony, brown, cream, red, fawn, platinum, frost, chocolate, chestnut, cinnamon, champagne, lavender, and seal. The color patterns include solid color, bicolor, tricolor or calico, tortoiseshell, tabby, ticking, smoke, points, and shaded.
These cats have a long triangular head, tall ears, and a long, straight nose. They have long and slender legs with a long tail that tapers to a point. They have almond-shaped eyes that are bright green. The pointed Oriental Shorthair cats have blue eyes while white Oriental Shorthair cats may have green, blue, or odd eyes.
Personality
Oriental Shorthair cats are very intelligent and can be trained to walk on a leash. These cats are affectionate, and they expect their owners to be the same. They expect their humans to give them attention and play with them. They tend to be very vocal, energetic, and playful, and get along well with kids and other pets.
Health Problems
Some of the health conditions that this cat breed tends to develop may include bladder stones, dilated cardiomyopathy, crossed eyes, mast cell cancer, and liver amyloidosis. These felines should be fed with high-quality cat food and should not become overweight to keep up with their long and svelte body frame.
Shedding
Oriental Shorthair cats do shed, but they do not shed a lot. They are related to the Siamese family and they share the same coat characteristics- short and glossy. Their smooth fur does not require much maintenance at all.
Conclusion
Oriental Shorthair cats belong to the Siamese family of cat breeds and have long, svelte, and elegant looks. They do not shed a lot and have short, glossy fur, but you can still have allergic reactions around them. These cats are not hypoallergenic since they produce the Fel d 1 protein, the allergen responsible for cat allergies.
Image: istockphoto.com / cynoclub