Feline allergen (Fel d1) accounts for 80% of allergies to cats. The microscopic particles can remain airborne for a month. As they are physically and chemically “sticky”, they attach readily to clothing, furniture, and skin.
In general, Siberians produce less Fel d1 than other breeds – but if you are allergic, here are some suggestions.
How to reduce reactions to your kitten.
- Moisten the kitten with Allerpet Grooming Solution prior to daily combing.
This will reduce allergens released into the air during combing, remove excess oils and deactivate many of the allergens on the fur. Frequent combing with Allerpet is very helpful in reducing reactions to your kitten and decreasing buildup in the home. Allerpet Solution can be purchased online. - Bathe your kitten twice monthly.
Bathing removes allergens and irritants from the coat. Pet shampoo containing lanolin, aloe, or oatmeal will avoid drying and irritating your kitten’s skin, or simply use fragrance free Dawn Soap and rinse well. Avoid shampoos that have strong fragrance, as the se can cause reactions. When possible, use a hair dryer to warm the kitten and fully dry the fur. - Use washable fleece throws where your kitten sleeps.
This includes couches and chairs as well as climbing stations and and cat beds. Wash throws weekly in hot water with detergent and borax to deactivate allergens. This is a simple way to reduce allergen and oil buildup on furniture. - Maintain a calm environment.
Cats under stress increase production and release of Fel d1 allergen. Some typical causes of stress include having too many cats in the house, lots of sudden noise or commotion, or lack of attention / daily grooming. - Verify you are not allergic to the litter.
Reactions to young kittens from litter box dust is common. Small kittens play or scratch in the litter box and tend to get dust on their fur. Use perfume-free low-dust litters and change the litter frequently. Green Tea Litter contains tannic acid that deactivates the Fel d1 allergen. - Keep litterboxes out of bedrooms and living spaces.
Litterboxes contain very high levels of allergens and irritants. Place the litter box in the garage, a cat run, or a room that can be vented to the outdoors. Installing a cat door through a wall into the garage allows you to make a secure area with a top for the litter box. This prevent kitten from playing in the garage or escaping. Another option is self-cleaning / self-flushing litterboxes - Keep your kitten out of the bedrooms
Kittens should not be allowed in bedrooms of allergic individuals. This allows the allergic person a period of recuperation (no nighttime exposure) which will reduce daytime reactions.
Some Supplies that help reduce reactions to your kittens are:
Worlds Best Cat Litter is a flushable litter made from corn. (some individuals are allergic to corn litter.)
Allerpet Solution can be purchased from Amazon, Chewy, and other online stores.
Feline Pine Litter Pelleted pine sawdust is low dust and flushable (flushable litters are not allowed in some municipalities).
Green Tea Litter Next Gen Pet makes a pelleted pine with tea leaf, which deactivates allergens and odor.
Dr Elsey’s ‘Precious Cat Litter’;has less dust than most clay. (Caution, their “Kitten Litter” is heavily perfumed.)
Photos courtesy of Lundberg Siberians – copyrighted, use prohibited. Allergen information is provided by KittenTesting. Please provide a website link to information from these pages.