Poodle cats are famous as the “cats in sheep’s clothing.” They are very fluffy, and some people find them hilarious to look at. Having one or more of these curly kitties would bring much joy, unless you are prone to cat allergies. Read on and let us find out if these furballs can trigger allergy attacks.
Are poodle cats hypoallergenic?
No, poodle cats are not hypoallergenic, although they have been marketed as such. No cat is truly hypoallergenic because all of them produce the Fel d 1 protein, the allergen that triggers allergy attacks. This allergen is found in the saliva, anal glands, skin, fur, and sebaceous glands of cats.
Poodle cats have curly fur and tight curls that can catch dander and shedding fur. This characteristic has made them highly recommended for people who are prone to cat allergies. Unfortunately, it will not prevent the attacks entirely. If you would like to have one of these cats, try spending time with one to see if it triggers an allergic reaction.
What exactly is a poodle cat?
The term “poodle cat” generally refers to cats with curly fur. The so-called poodle cat breeds are the Rex breeds that include the Selkirk Rex, Devon Rex, and Cornish Rex. Mixed breed cats with a rex parent are also called poodle cats. The appearance and temperament will depend on their specific breed.
The origin of Selkirk Rex poodle cats dates back to 1987 according to The International Cat Association (TICA). A feral cat gave birth to a litter of five kittens in Montana. The breeders noticed that one of the kittens looked different because of its curly and thick fur.
Poodle cats resulted from a spontaneous genetic mutation that made curly hair the dominant trait. The Devon Rex and Cornish Rex breeds have curly fur, but they carry recessive genes. Meanwhile, the Selkirk Rex has a thicker coat and has three layers of fur.
Where did the term “poodle” come from?
The word “poodle” in the “poodle cat” comes from the curly-coated dog breed, the poodle. Poodle dogs have curls that catch and trap shedding hair which is why they are popular among people with allergies. Poodle cats share the same characteristic, the curly fur; this is what makes these cats and dogs unique. Poodle cats can also have kinky whiskers and eyebrows.
Poodle Cat Breeds
Selkirk Rex
Height: 9 to 11 inches
Weight: 6 to 16 pounds
Lifespan: 15 years
Coat: short or long; curly or straight; colors include brown, gray-black, chocolate, beige, tan lilac, orange, ebony cream; patterns – bi-color, tri-color
Personality: affectionate, loving, playful, clownish, likes being a lap cat, very intelligent, good with children and other pets
Devon Rex
Height: 10 to 12 inches
Weight: 6 to 9 pounds
Lifespan: 9 to 15 years
Coat: short; colors include black, red, blue, chocolate, cream, lavender, cinnamon, and fawn; various patterns and shadings
Personality: energetic, active, playful, affectionate, friendly, outgoing, sociable; good pets for people of all ages
Cornish Rex
Height: 8 to 12 inches
Weight: 6 to 10 pounds
Lifespan: 9 to 15 years
Coat: short and crimped; colors include black, blue, white, cream, brown, red, platinum, fawn, chestnut, cinnamon, lavender, seal, champagne, frost; patterns include solid color, bi-color, tri-color, calico, tortoiseshell, tabby, ticking, smoke, shaded, points
Personality: intelligent, sociable, acrobatic, clownish, sometimes demanding, vocal, insistent, snuggly
Do poodle cats shed?
Yes, although they are classified as low shedding cats, poodle cats shed. If you have poodle cats, they are likely to shed only a little compared to other breeds. However, if you have a mixed breed cat with curly fur, she will likely shed more, especially if one of its parents is a high shedding breed like the Ragdoll or Siberian.
How do you groom a poodle cat?
Grooming your poodle cat will depend on its particular breed. Their fluffy curls, especially if they have longer fur, should be groomed regularly. If you seldom groom them, the fur could develop stubborn knots and tangles.
Common health issues of poodle cats
These are the common health issues observed among poodle cats:
- Alopecia or hair loss
- Patellar luxation – loose, slipping kneecaps
- Seborrhea and seborrheic dermatitis – scaly eczema
- Skin problems
- Muscular dystrophy- a sex-linked inherited disease affecting mostly male cats.
- Hereditary myopathy- an autosomal recessive trait and degenerative muscle weakness
Your poodle cat’s health will depend on its particular breed. You should be able to determine the actual breed if you plan to get one from a local breeder. Your cat’s health will also vary depending on if you have a purebred or mixed breed poodle cat.
Poodle cats are becoming popular nowadays. Take extra care in choosing a responsible cat breeder since some may claim they are selling poodle cats when they are not. Some breeders just want to make a quick profit and ride with the trend. Responsible breeders are those that focus on breeding the healthiest kittens.
Check if the kittens have health certificates. Prices of kittens will vary depending on their breed, demand, and location. The cost of poodle kittens is typically $500 or more, but if they are of show quality, the cost will be higher.
Conclusion
Poodle cats are becoming popular nowadays because of their fluffy, curly fur and tight curls that seem to resemble a sheep’s hair. They comprise several rex breeds such as the Selkirk Rex, Devon Rex, and Cornish Rex. Poodle cats are not hypoallergenic since all cats produce Fel d 1 protein, the allergen responsible for cat allergies. Although these cats are preferred because they are low-shedding, it does not guarantee that they will not trigger allergy attacks.
Image: istockphoto.com / Belikart