So You Want a Cat, Huh?

Some important things to note before getting a cat

Cats are great pets, I have one myself, but they have a lot of needs and each breed is a little bit different. You definitely shouldn’t get a cat before doing your research. These cute little animals can be little brats at times, especially when they meow nonstop from 3 to 5 am. 

 Up to 30% of Americans have allergies to cats and dogs and allergies for cats are twice as common as dogs. So being allergic to cats is pretty common! Some people want cats but have allergies like a lot of my friends. So I will list some hypoallergenic cat breeds, their features, and needs in the following paragraphs.

Hypoallergenic Cats

If you want a cat but have allergies there are some hypoallergenic cats here are some recommendations: Siamese, Siberian, Balinese, Bengal, Burmese. But wait! Don’t just get one of these without knowing anything about them. They may not be ideal for your living situation. Here, some facts about each of them.

Siamese Cats

Let’s start with these adorable little musical cats, the Siamese. Siamese cats are very vocal cats and they are very affectionate, so they might not mind cuddles. They are also very intelligent cats. Siamese cats also are friendly with babies, children, and other pets if they are introduced properly. They are also very playful cats. They can also be outside cats as long as there aren’t any animals that would hurt them and they should be closely monitored if brought outside. Keep in mind that they dislike the cold and much rather prefer warmth. They also should be brushed weekly to keep their coat shiny and healthy. They should also have their claws clipped every two weeks. Now, these cats may seem nice right now but they have quite a few health issues. So if you decide on one of these make sure you get them checked at the vet yearly, but if you feel like theres something wrong you should take them to the vet. There is more information about the health issues and more about the cats in general here.

Siberian Cats

Unlike the Siamese, Siberian cats are fairly quiet and will follow you around. They are affectionate and playful. These cats are easy to train and will get along with children and other pets if introduced properly. Siberian cats are pretty healthy but they should still visit the vet at least once a year. However, if they are acting differently or as if they are in pain make sure you take them to the vet.. Although these cats have long fur, a weekly brushing is all they need to avoid matting along with nail trimmings every two weeks. This is to make sure they don’t grow too long. Even though they have a lot of fur, they are still hypoallergenic because they don’t have a certain enzyme in their spit which causes allergies. These cats can be outdoor cats but closely monitor them and try not to bring them outside if there are animals that would hurt them in your area. When it comes to climate these cats much prefer the cold rather than heat. Since these cats are sociable, you should get another cat if you won’t be home for long periods of time.

Balinese Cats

Balinese cats are also very intelligent, friendly, and playful, much like the other cats listed. Like the Siamese, these cats are pretty vocal, but they are also pretty demanding. They should be groomed weekly to remove any dead fur and keep their coat healthy. Their nails should be trimmed every two weeks as well. Balinese cats need a lot of attention so they shouldn’t be left alone for too long or they might rip up up the couch! Like the other cats mentioned, Balinese cats are friendly with babies, children, and other pets if introduced properly. These cats are pretty healthy, but should still visit the vet regularly. Balinese cats are fine with either warmth or cold environments, but just make sure it’s a climate you would be fine with because if it’s too hot or cold for you, it probably is for your cat too. These cats can be outdoor cats, but like the others just make sure they are supervised and there are no dangerous animals in the area which would harm your cat. 

Bengal Cats

Bengal cats are very loving and loyal. They are also very athletic so they will need a lot of space. They are trainable and smart. You could basically train them to do anything you would train a dog to do. Bengal cats have quite a few health issues so they should see a vet regularly. Bengal cats don’t need to be groomed a lot but they still should often so their fur doesn’t get matted, and their nails should be trimmed every two weeks. These cats can go outside for walks but should be supervised. Bengal cats are fine with babies, children, and other pets as long as they are introduced properly but they would do better with older kids. These cats prefer warmer weather and are pretty vocal like the Siamese. These cats need a lot of space so if you want one make sure you have enough space for it.

Burmese Cats

Burmese cats, just like the other cats mentioned, are very affectionate, loyal, and playful but need a lot of attention. Unlike most cats, Burmese cats will play fetch, which is why they have the nickname “dog cat”. They can go outside but they have to be supervised. These cats should get weekly brushing to avoid matting and claw trimmings every two weeks. Burmese cats prefer warmer climates instead of cold. They can go outside but they should be supervised if they do. These cats are pretty healthy but they should still go to the vet often. If you can’t give this cat the attention it needs you should probably pick another.

Now there will be an interview with someone who has experience with a hypoallergenic, the Siamese. They will talk about the personality of her cat which may apply to other Siameses cats and how she reacted to her Siamese cat compared to other cats.

What’s your name?

My name is Nicole.

What type of cat do you have?

A Siamese cat.

What is your experience with cats?

I have only had one cat, the one I have currently.

Why did you pick that specific cat breed?

I read an article about it and how it was hypoallergenic and I had slight cat allergies so I decided to get one and it was worth it so I would recommend this cat to people with allergies.

How have your allergies reacted to your cat compared to other cats?

Normally with other types of cats that arent really hypoallergenic I would get a stuffy nose and would get sort of itchy and sneeze a lot. But with the Siamse cat  im perfectly fine, Its like I don’t have any cat allergies at all.

What is your cat’s personality like?

She’s very playful and smart. I was able to train her fairly easily but she needs a lot of attention. If I’m ever in a zoom she would try and lay on the keyboard and make me pet her.

Does your cat have any concerning health issues?

Not really, she’s pretty healthy.

What would you tell someone who wants to get this type of cat?

Try to be patient with them, and give them space when they want it.

Would you recommend this cat to someone else?

Yes, I would. Siamese cats would make a great addition to any family!

To end off, all of the listed cat breeds are pretty great for anyone with allergies. They’re all a bit different so there’s one for everyone. Just to recap, all of the cat breeds should visit the vet often, they should be groomed and their claws should be cut every two weeks if possible. You definitely won’t regret getting one of these furry little guys. There are some other cat breeds that are hypoallergenic that weren’t listed in this article such as, Colorpoint Shorthair, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex,  and Javanese. So now I have to wonder, which breed are you getting?