Some people who have allergies to cats, including my daughters, do not react or do not react as much to the Siberian Cat. There is not yet good scientific evidence to prove or support this and they are NOT non-allergenic for all people but are definitely less allergenic for some according to many people's experience. It is crucial that you test with adult Siberians and realize that allergic symptoms can develop over time. There are products that will help reduce allergy symptoms also.

Cats produce a protein in their saliva and secrete it through the skin and in urine and anal glands called FelD1 that is not present in other animals and is a major, but not the only, cause of allergies to cats. Many Siberian cats have been found to be low in this allergen. We have tested our breeders and all of them tested lower than normal cats in saliva and fur samples. The highest levels are found in whole (not neutered) males and is increased by testosterone. Females are sometimes high at the time of giving birth so it is probably hormonally controlled in them also. When you neuter or spay your cat, you will be taking the first step to reduce allergens even further than found in non-neutered Siberians.

Our breeding cats were again tested recently (Feb 2008) for Fel D1 level in their saliva, and all are below 3.5 micrograms/ml of saliva,  which is well below the level that causes most allergies to that allergen.  Not all Siberians test this low, especially whole males.

Here is some help - this book recommends things to do to live with cats if you are allergic and also talks about various (mostly hairless or very short hair) cats that can be less allergenic - including the beautiful Siberian!

 

 

Shadowheart Siberians does allow allergy testing before getting on the wait list. You should schedule and spend an hour at least with our cats.  Email me if you would like to set up an allergy test.

If you can't keep the kitten due to allergies, we will take your kitten back but you will lose at least your $100 in deposits, and if the kitten is harder to place, it could be more. We will refund to you what we sell the kitten for less $100, once it is placed in a new home for 30 days. This is due to the extra work finding and screening a new home, and the reduced price we can sell an older kitten/cat for. We also prefer to reduce the trauma for the kitten so hope you will seriously allergy test first and take measures to reduce allergen in your home - ask us about this when you visit. We have people visit to allergy test almost every week/weekend. Of people who have visited with our six cats and various kittens, about 80% have had no reaction, about 20% had a much reduced reaction and one had her normal reaction.

Litter A - 4 went to allergic owners who have had no problems (since Mar 2006), one got a second kitten (litter G), the other two were the same non-allergy home that just liked the breed.
Litter B - 1 to allergy home with no problems, 2 to non allergy homes who already had a Siberian or wanted that breed
Litter C - 1 went to an allergy home with no problems, one is a breeder, two were non-allergy homes who liked the breed.
Litter D - all five went to allergy homes with no problems. (since March 2007)
Litter E - 2 to breeders, 2 to allergy homes who have reported no problems so far (since May 2007)
Litter F - 3 to allergy homes, 1 with allergic friend, 1 replacing a Siberian who died - one person did have an allergic reaction after 1-2 days and her daughter took the kitten (Since May 2007)

Litter G - 1 to allergy home that also has a kitten from Litter A - one to an allergy home where they have had an older Siberian for some time now - no allergy problems. (since July 2007)

Oksana - was spayed at 3 yrs and went to a new home with a person with pretty severe cat allergies - he’s living happily with her

Litter H - 5 to allergy homes, 1 who liked the breed, 1 to a breeder - one man with very serious allergies had a short period of slight allergic reaction and now none - all the others have reported no reactions (since Jan 2008)

Litter I - just going home -