Snowshoe cat lovers, would you like to know if this breed can affect your allergies?
Snowshoe cats are known worldwide as intelligent felines that love being around people. An interesting fact we uncovered about this breed is that it was first produced in Philadelphia during the 1960s when a Siamese cat gave birth to cats with white feet. Despite being around since the 1960s, Snowshoes are quite rare due to the difficulty in reproducing the right coat markings.
We have committed ourselves to our allergy prone families to determine if Snowshoe cats are ideal for your homes. True to our style, we have done thorough research on whether Snowshoe cats are hypoallergenic or not.
So, please read on!
Are Snowshoe Cats Hypoallergenic?
Regrettably, the answer is no. The Snowshoe cats are not considered to be hypoallergenic since they can affect allergy sufferers. Despite having a short, dense coat, these cats can cause allergies due to their moderate shedding level and dander production rate.
All felines, including those with short coats, produce a certain amount of Fel d1 protein in their saliva and skin. Fel d1 is the main allergen that causes cat allergies in humans. And since all cats produce this protein, including the Snowshoe, no cat is considered to be 100% allergy-friendly.
Need more details on how this short-haired breed can cause allergies? Please read on! Otherwise, feel free to browse our list of cats that are hypoallergenic instead.
How to Decide If Snowshoe Cats Are Hypoallergenic to You
Allergies are caused by the proteins in hair, urine and dead skin cells that all cats shed. These allergens can trigger several allergies, with the most common ones being skin and breathing allergies. We have rated this breed for both:
People with breathing allergies are affected by airborne allergens like fur or dander. And with Snowshoe’s moderate shedding levels, this breed is not off the hook.
Skin sensitivities are triggered by coming into contact with your cat’s urine, saliva, or dander. Or any substance that contains the Fel d1 protein, really.
Therefore, determining if this breed is ideal for you depends on your unique sensitivities.
Do Snowshoe Cats Shed a Lot?
No, Snowshoe cats are moderate shedding cats. These cats have little undercoats, so you should expect them to shed seasonally. However, the amount of loose hair is quite low. Therefore, proper diet and regular grooming can help you manage their shedding levels.
Snowshoe cats have short fur length, so you might not notice their hair all over your furniture, floor or house when they do start shedding.
However, you will notice their hair when they experience seasonal blowouts.
Snowshoe Saliva and Dander Exposure
People with skin allergies are usually affected by exposure to substances containing Fel d1 protein. Some of these substances include urine, saliva, and dander, among other bodily substances.
However, this chronic condition depends on your unique sensitivities. So you might be safe if the allergy-causing protein in Snowshoe’s drool or dander doesn’t affect you.
Snowshoe cats tend to release all the trapped dander when they shed. However, regular grooming can help you manage their dander production level.
Brush their short coats at least twice per week to get rid of dead hair and keep the allergens at bay.
When it comes to saliva exposure, all cats drool, especially when they are happy, and the Snowshoe cats are no exception! These cats also love licking themselves clean numerous times per day. Therefore, the saliva on their coats has a very high probability of causing allergies if you come into direct contact with it.
We suggest investing in some good cat wipes that can help clean your Snowshoe cat’s fur of any dried saliva and other trapped allergens as well.
Grooming and Coat Maintenance
Snowshoe cats are generally clean cats that love self-grooming. Therefore, they should not be bathed regularly. Really, they should only be washed when they get dirty. This breed loves swimming, so bath time is usually much easier with this cat than most other felines.
When washing this breed, make sure you use a proper shampoo that will leave their skin healthy!
Grooming Snowshoe cats is quite easy since they love grooming themselves. If your cat is not self-grooming, it is likely unwell and needs to be taken to the vet.
Also, regular brushing can go a long way to manage the spread of fur and dander throughout your home. Luckily most Snowshoe cats love being brushed since they get to spend more time with their owner. Just make sure you brush them with the right brush that won’t hurt their skin!
In Love With Snowshoe Cat and Want One Anyway? Tips for Reducing Allergies
Snowshoe cats are such cuties, so we get it!
Here are a few unique tips to help you manage allergies while living with this breed. These tips can help you live peacefully with Snowshoe cats.
Training
Snowshoe cats are intelligent cats that love spending time with their owners. They love following their owners around the house and they are fast learners. They can even be taught several tricks, including how to play fetch.
Therefore, we recommend that you teach them the following as early as possible for a smooth transition into your home. You cat will be your biggest ally in keeping allergies at bay if you train them to:
- Not to lick you, especially if you’re allergic to Snowshoe’s saliva
- Always play within your home’s borders to avoid introducing outdoor allergens
- To stay away from your bedroom and all the major textile surfaces in the house
- Proper potty training can also help a lot
- To groom itself in a designated area to avoid releasing fur and dander elsewhere
Fortify Your Home
We also recommend you fortify your house with the following allergy-combating items:
- A high-quality vacuum cleaner with an attachment for pet hair and dander
- An air purifier
- HEPA filters for all cleaning equipment
- Get rid of the unnecessary furnished surfaces which trap fur and dander
- Get some good lint rollers to help spot clean areas you notice cat fur
Final Thoughts
No cat breed is 100% hypoallergenic, so remember to keep your allergy meds near you. And if you can, try and spend some time with this breed before bringing him home. This will help you determine if it is hypoallergenic to you. Generally though, even with these precautions, many people with cat allergies find the Snowshoe cat is not hypoallergenic to them so it may be better to look for a hypoallergenic breed instead!
