Lovers of Ocicats, would you like to find out if this breed is hypoallergenic?
Ocicat is an unusual cat breed that resembles an ocelot but has the temperament of domesticated animals. A fascinating fact we uncovered about this breed is that it was created by crossing Abyssinian and Siamese cats and then later adding the American shorthair to the mix. The first Ocicat named Tonga was bred in Berkley, Michigan, by Virginia Daly.
For people with pet sensitivities, we have committed ourselves to find out if an Ocicat can be a great addition to your houses. And true to our style, we have done thorough research on whether Ocicats are hypoallergenic or not.
So, let’s dive straight in…
Are Ocicats Hypoallergenic?
Luckily, the answer is yes. Ocicats are considered to be hypoallergenic as they have a low likelihood of triggering allergies.
The main reasons why Ocicats are considered hypoallergenic include:
- Low dander production rate
- Low shedding levels
- Low Fel d1 levels
- Easy to groom
- Have a hypoallergenic parent breed (Siamese)
Nevertheless, no cat, including Ocicat is 100% guaranteed not to cause allergies.
Cats can cause a wide range of allergies, including breathing and skin sensitivities. Luckily, Ocicats have a low likelihood of causing either. For more details on this, please read on!
How to Know If Ocicat Is Hypoallergenic to You
Cat allergies are generally triggered by the Fel d1 protein in their fur, dander, saliva, and urine. And even breeds with low Fel d1 production rate, like Ocicats, can cause skin and breathing allergies in some asthma and allergy sufferers.
So, we have rated the Ocicats for their likelihood to generally trigger skin and breathing allergies below.
People with asthma or breathing allergies are affected by airborne particles such as cat fur or dander. And with Ocicat’s low shedding levels, you could be safe.
On the other hand, individuals with skin sensitivities have other things to worry about. Mostly it’s about direct exposure to substances with Fel d1 such as urine, saliva, or dander.
Whether you will be affected by an Ocicat depends on your unique sensitivities. Therefore, make sure you spend time with an Ocicat before bringing one home.
Below we’ll go deeper into each of these elements in case you wanted to nerd out with us on the specifics of what makes an Ocicat hypoallergenic.
Do Ocicat Shed a Lot?
No, Ocicats are naturally low shedding cats, therefore, their coats are quite easy to maintain. Proper grooming can also help keep their shedding levels even lower.
Ocicats have short hair length; therefore, you might not notice their fur even if they do start shedding. You shouldn’t expect to find a lot of fur in your home, since they are low shedding cats with no seasonal blowouts.
If you do, there may be an underlying health condition which is causing this. Other factors which may have your Ocicat shed more include stress in the home environment, boredom, temperature changes or if they are still growing.
Ocicats Saliva and Dander Exposure
For people with skin sensitivities, the protein found in the cat’s dander, skin, and urine is their primary concern. Luckily, allergies depend on a person’s sensitivities; therefore, you could be safe if you are not affected by this cat’s low Fel d1 levels!
Like their shedding rate, Ocicats have a low dander production rate, which you can manage with proper grooming. When they shed, a certain amount of dander is usually released into the environment as well, and this can affect allergy sufferers.
When it comes to saliva exposure, our beloved felines are not big slobbers, and the Ocicats are no exception! Ocicats tend to drool a little when they are relaxed and happy. And just like all cats, Ocicats also lick themselves clean several times a day.
This is what the biggest concern is when it comes to exposure to their saliva. A good pack of cat wipes can be your best bud and help clear away any traces of dried saliva among other allergens from their coats!
Since they have a very low Fel d1 production rate, their saliva has an extremely low likelihood of affecting most allergy sufferers anyway. But we really can’t stress enough that it depends on your level of sensitivities!
Grooming and Coat Maintenance
Ocicats are generally clean cats that clean their coats several times a day, so you should only wash them when necessary. On the bright side, Ocicats are water-loving cats that can jump in the bath happily on the few occasions you do need to bathe them.
Make sure you wash them using the right shampoo that can leave their coats clean and shining!
Even though Ocicats are self-grooming animals, you should brush their coats at least once per week. Some Ocicat owners have even been known to rub chamois on their cat’s coat after brushing. This means that they are polishing their cats to give them the wild cat gleam. We’ll let you decide if you want to extend your grooming practices to that level or not!
Tips for Reducing Allergies With an Ocicat Around
All cats, including Ocicats, produce protein Fel d1. Therefore, you should always be searching for better ways to reduce the risk of allergies in your home. After all, even hypoallergenic cats produce allergy-causing dander and protein. Here are a few tips to help you keep the allergies at bay.
Training
Ocicats are highly intelligent cats with high energy levels. Therefore, they require mental challenges and physical exercise to be happy. They are outgoing and friendly cats that can be easily trained. So, you should teach them the following:
- Not to lick you
- Always play within your house’s boundaries to avoid introducing outdoor allergens
- To always stay out of your bedroom
- Keep off your softly furnished surfaces
- Proper potty training can also help
Fortify Your Home
We also recommend that you fortify your dwellings with the following allergy-fighting devices:
- Lint rollers to help you clean textile surfaces
- A high-quality air purifier that is designed for homes with pets
- HEPA filters
- A decent vacuum cleaner suited for households with pets
Final Thoughts
Even though Ocicats are considered hypoallergenic, it is always ideal to ensure that they don’t trigger more allergies. Ocicats are known to produce a low amount of Fel d1; therefore, they have a low likelihood of affecting sufferers. However, they do shed and produce dander, so you will never be 100% certain they’re hypoallergenic to you unless you spend time with this breed before bringing one home.
