Lovers of Burmese cats, do you want to know if this breed is hypoallergenic?
Burmese cats are known worldwide as intelligent cats that originated from Burma. This breed descended from a female cat known as Wong Mau that was brought to the U.S. from Burma in 1930. Wong Mau was bred with the American Siamese to produce what we now know as Burmese cats. An interesting fact we discovered about Burmese cats is that initially, they were all dark brown but have since evolved to lighter shades as well.
For allergy sufferers, we are committed to finding out if this breed is a great option for their homes. And we have gone straight to the deets on whether Burmese cats are hypoallergenic or not.
Let’s get straight into it!
Are Burmese Cats Hypoallergenic?
Luckily, the answer is yes. The Burmese cats are considered to be hypoallergenic since they have a low probability of triggering allergies. The Burmese is one of the world’s lowest shedding cat breeds.
Since it’s lineage descends from the Siamese cat, which is also hypoallergenic, the Burmese has many other allergy-friendly traits as well. However, it still produces the allergy-causing protein that can affect some people with cat allergies, so it’s not 100% guaranteed that you won’t react to a Brumese cat.
The leading cause of allergic reactions is the Fel d1 protein found in a cat’s saliva, urine, and skin. All breeds produce Fel d1 protein together with the Fel d2, Fel d3, and Fel d4. And some cats like the Burmese naturally produce less of this allergy-causing protein.
How to Decide If the Burmese Is Hypoallergenic to You
As mentioned, cat allergies are usually triggered by the proteins and antigens produced by cats. And even cats that produce low amounts of these proteins, or the secretions which contain these proteins, can trigger a wide range of allergic reactions like skin and breathing allergies.
So, we have rated the Burmese for both…
One of the main things that affect sufferers with breathing sensitivities is shedding. Luckily, the Burmese is ranked among the lowest shedding breeds on the planet. And with proper grooming, you can manage their shedding level. More on this in a moment.
People with skin sensitivities have more things to worry about, including exposure to the Feline d1 protein in all its various forms.
Even though Burmese are considered hypoallergenic, we’ve still gone into the details of why this is the case and how you can protect yourself if you are extra sensitive to cats!
Do Burmese Shed a Lot?
No, Burmese cats are not heavy shedders. The Burmese is considered to be one of the world’s lowest shedding breeds. These cats have fine silky coats with very low maintenance, with the most common coat color among the Burmese being sable (dark brown).
Burmese cats have a short hair length; therefore, you might not notice their fur all over your home even when they do shed.
If you do start noticing that your Burmese is shedding more than usual, there could be an underlying health condition affecting their coat. It’s best to seek a vet’s assistance if this is the case. If left unchecked, you can say hello to an airborne allergy delivery system right there with all the fur and dander your Burmese could be releasing!
Burmese Saliva and Dander Exposure
If you’re prone to skin allergies or eczema, your unique sensitivities usually determine whether some cat breeds are safe for you or not.
You could be safe if you are not affected by a Burmese cat’s saliva or dander. But that is unlikely if you are extremely sensitive to most types of cats since the Burmese still produces the allergy inducing proteins found in dander and saliva.
All cats produce dander, and the Burmese is no exception. Despite producing less dander than most cats, Burmese cats still release dander and outdoor allergens that may be trapped in their fur when they shed.
And this can affect highly allergic sufferers. Fortunately, Burmese are low shedding cats; therefore, if your allergies are on the low to moderate side of the scale, you might find that a Burmese cat has hardly any effect on you at all.
Like all cat breeds, the Burmese are self-grooming creatures that clean up their coats several times a day. So, their saliva also has a high probability of triggering skin allergies when trapped in their coats though a good brand of cat wipes should do the trick and remove most of the surface level saliva!
Grooming and Coat Maintenance
Burmese cats are generally clean cats that love cleaning their coats, so they shouldn’t be bathed regularly. Burmese cats should only be washed when they get into something nasty and cannot clean themselves properly.
Also, make sure you wash them with the right shampoo that will leave their coat and skin shiny and healthy!
Burmese cats don’t shed a lot, and their need for self-grooming helps keep their coats healthy and shiny naturally. However, regular brushing can help you reduce their shedding and dander production rates even more, or at least prevent these from circulating throughout your home. Just make sure you brush their coats at least once a week with a rubber curry brush.
Tips for Reducing Allergies With A Burmese Cat Around
No breed is 100% non-allergenic! Therefore, irrespective of your cat’s hypoallergenic status, you should always be looking for different ways of reducing allergens in your home environment. So, here are some tips that can help you manage allergies when living with a Burmese cat.
Training
Burmese cats are highly intelligent creatures that take well to being trained. These cats are fast learners that can also take well to potty training. They can easily pick up that clawing and scratching should only be done on their scratching posts. So, we recommend that you teach them the following:
- To always play within your house’s boundaries
- To never lick you
- To stay away from your textile surfaces and furniture
- To stay away from your bedrooms
- To do their business in an area you designate
If you train them well, your cat will be your biggest ally in helping prevent the spread of their allergens all throughout your home!
Fortify Your House
As a catch-all, we also recommend that you fortify your residence with the following allergy-fighting devices:
- Lint rollers for the textile surfaces
- HEPA filters
- A high-quality air purifier
- A high-quality vacuum cleaner
- Reduce the number of textile surfaces in the house
- Always keep your allergy meds near you
Choose a Hypoallergenic Burmese Cat Mix for Less Allergic Reactions
Tonkinese: Siamese + Burmese mix
Tonkinese cats are lovely cats that share the traits of both their parents. Therefore, this hybrid might produce fewer allergens than both the Burmese and Siamese cats.
Burmilla: Burmese + Chinchilla Persian
Burmilla is an accidental breed that originated from the United Kingdom in 1981. This medium-sized breed has a glittery silver coat and a muscular body. This hybrid is a great option for allergy sufferers, and the fact that both parents are considered hypoallergenic is a bonus.
Final Thoughts
Even though Burmese cats are hypoallergenic in nature, if you experience extreme sensitivities, the proteins they produce may still bother your allergies. Despite being low shedders and producing lower amounts of dander, both breathing and skin allergies can still be a risk. Though if you have a lower level of sensitivity, a hypoallergenic Brumese cat may just be the perfect furry friend to bring into your home!
