People who want to have cats may not be able to have them due to allergies. Depending on the exact nature of your allergy, hairless cats or sphinxes may or may not help you. These amazing cats do not have hair on their bodies. Despite this, their fur color often mimics what their fur would look like. For example, you may see hairless cats with white paws or nose splashes.
If your allergy is specifically related to cat hair, you may want to consider purchasing a hairless cat. Although a hairless cat has no fur, it still secretes oils that would normally be used to keep the coat healthy and shiny. If you are allergic to these oils, or to dander, hairless cats can even make things worse.
Considering how expensive hairless cats can be, you may want to have some special allergy tests done. If it turns out that the oils are causing your allergies, you may want to follow a tolerance improvement program. Typically, your doctor will give you a series of shots to help you overcome the allergic response.
Aside from the cost, it would be very unfair to buy a hairless cat that you cannot properly care for. Among other things, their skin is delicate and wears easily. Other pets, and even household items, can easily tear the skin. Although hairless cats are abundant, you will need to ensure that they are protected as much as possible. This includes making sure the house is warm enough for them. Hairless cats may also need to be given an occasional bath to make sure their fur stays just as healthy. Unsurprisingly, it is best to acclimatize them to washing while they are still kittens.
As with any other pet, it is also important to understand that a pair of hairless cats is not a license to start a cattery. Today, hairless cats are an established breed of cat. Unfortunately, there are likely to be irresponsible breeders who force female cats to have too many litters. Others can reproduce to the point where the resulting kittens have health problems. If you are considering purchasing hairless cats, feel free to ask about the family line and the health conditions of the parent animals. Like dogs, there is nothing more heartbreaking than taking home a new pet and then watching it suffer in later years with genetic ailments.
Today, many people operate under the false assumption that hairless cats will solve their allergy problems. Depending on which part of the cat you are allergic to, hairless cats may be an option. Because hairless cats require good care, you may want to make sure you don’t develop an allergy to them. Regardless of why you want to buy hairless cats, you will also need to research breeders carefully. Similar to buying a pedigree dog, you’ll want to know the kitten’s family health history, as well as the names of the cats in each parent’s bloodlines.
