If you’ve wasted away an afternoon or two watching adorable cat TikToks, you’re probably thinking of getting a four-legged friend of your own. It’s about time you make your life a little better with a morning snuggle or a purr session after work. “I’d love to, but are Egyptian Mau hypoallergenic?”
Adopting a little bundle of cuddles can be challenging when you or your family members are allergic to cats. Although you’re pretty sure that cats can’t be completely allergy-free, you’re not sure what you’re supposed to do when you get the sniffles every time a fluffy feline walks by you.
Itching, sniffling, sneezing, swelling, and watery eyes – you know the drill. It’s a curse because you’re obsessed with cute, cuddly creatures that can’t seem to stop shedding whenever they’re near you. It’s quite an unfortunate thing to go through, but your cat’s coat might not be what’s giving you the itch.
And that might be the reason why you’ve been struggling to get your hands on a cat that doesn’t make you miserable with every fluff she leaves behind. It’s not the fluff – it’s everything else. Skin, saliva, urine, sweat, and dander play an equally important part in making you regret your decision to get a cat.
It’s imperative that you figure these things out before you bite the bullet, head to the nearest breeder, and bring an Egyptian Mau home. Are Egyptian Mau hypoallergenic? All that and more down below!
But first, are Egyptian Mau hypoallergenic?
With long, lean, athletic bodies that can run faster than an average cat, stunning, spotted coats that bring you closer to owning a wild cat without breaking the law, and beautiful, bright eyes that make you feel like you’re OK with itching and sniffling the day away, Egyptian Mau cats are a sight to be seen.
Whether you’re planning on getting an Egyptian Mau kitten or you’re already running around the apartment with a grown Egyptian Mau cat, know that these curious creatures make for perfect pets. Affectionate and appreciative, they’re everything you need and more to be happy and healthy.
But, but, but – there’s always a but when we’re talking about being allergic to the one thing you desire the most. Although they’re not as fluffy as Maine Coon cats or Norwegian Forest cats, Egyptian Mau cats are not hypoallergenic. As a matter of fact, Maus have a high probability of affecting allergy sufferers.
What causes cat allergies?
Cat allergies are much more common than we think. According to allergy medication manufacturers, more pet parents are allergic to cats than to dogs. At the end of the day, you’re wondering whether Egyptian Mau cats are hypoallergenic which means you’re probably allergic to cats.
What causes cat allergies, though? We don’t know why, but there’s a common misconception among pet parents that cat fur causes allergies and that cats with little to no fur are hypoallergenic. While it’s true that fur can cause an allergic reaction, it’s not the sole root of the problem.
Cat allergies are caused by a hypersensitivity reaction to Fel d 1 proteins found in the skin, dander, saliva, urine, sweat, and fur of cats. Cats spend hours and hours every day grooming themselves, licking themselves clean, and marking their territory, and that’s how they end up spreading the Fel d 1 protein.
Cat dander, for example, can be extremely dangerous to pet parents who suffer from cat allergies because the dead skin cells are so small that the allergen remains airborne for at least 30 minutes after your cat is done grooming herself. Consider that different people react differently to triggers, too.
Are any cats hypoallergenic?
Now that’s an extremely difficult question to answer. Cats and humans are all different. Contrary to popular belief, an Egyptian Mau cat can cause ten unique reactions in ten different people.
Similarly, you can experience a slew of symptoms when exposed to ten different cats. Some people’s allergies are so bad that the smallest amount of allergen can trigger them, and that’s OK, too.
We need to consider the fact that some cats come with a greater concentration of Fel d 1 protein than other cats. Shorthair breeds can shed much more than longhair breeds, depending on the amount of dander or saliva. Longhair breeds can be better for allergy sufferers than shorthair breeds.
We’re aware that there’s no way to completely eliminate skin, saliva, urine, sweat, and dander from the cat equation, therefore there’s no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic cat. With that out of the way, though, we do need to mention that certain cat breeds produce less dander and shed less.
What cat breeds qualify as hypoallergenic?
Cats can trigger allergic reactions, there’s no question about that. Whether you’re a pet parent to an Egyptian Mau, a Maine Coon, or a Sphynx, you’re probably going to experience symptoms of an allergic reaction to a certain degree. We can’t do anything about that.
We can, however, recommend certain cat breeds that are rumored to produce less dander and shed less with the hope of helping you make up your mind. Egyptian Mau cats might not be hypoallergenic, but that doesn’t mean that an Egyptian Mau will cause you to suffocate on your own saliva.
Low-shedding breeds such as Bengal, Sphynx, and Cornish Rex are perfect for allergy sufferers because they’re great at grooming themselves without spreading the allergens. Siberian cats produce much less of the allergy-causing protein Fel d 1. Russian Blue cats have a highly dense coat that traps allergens.
Oriental Shorthair, Burmese, Balinese, Javanese, Devon Rex, and Bombay are some of the other cat breeds that promise to keep the sniffles away with a few precautions on your part. What do we mean by that? When you adopt a cat that triggers your allergies, you can still keep it – you just need to know how.
What to do when you adopt an Egyptian Mau that triggers your allergy?
1. Groom, brush, and bathe your Mau regularly
Egyptian Mau cats might not be hypoallergenic, but that doesn’t mean that you need to give up the thought of adopting (or keeping!) the curious little creature that snatched your heart. Egyptian Maus are certainly not the worst cat breeds for allergy sufferers which means you’re out of the woods.
Groom, brush, and bathe your Mau regularly to ensure you’re getting rid of dander, fluff, mucus, and poop particles. Egyptian Maus can take care of themselves, but because you’re the one itching and sniffling at the thought of hugging your cat – you might need to do the dirty work, too.
2. Clean, clean, and clean some more
Cleaning your cat might be the right way to start, but you need to clean every surface your cat touches, too. Whether she’s rolling on the floor, napping on the sofa, or pawing at your brand-new Urban Outfitters chair, you need to scrub these surfaces down before you even dare to sit on them.
Egyptian Mau cats are pros at marking the territory and you might struggle to figure out a way to keep the dander, saliva, and fur away from your furniture. With that in mind, though, cleaning your apartment ensures that even the slightest reminiscence of the dander disappears with a simple swipe of the mop.
3. Get someone to do the dirty work – outside
When the doctor advises you to “reduce the exposure to things that trigger your allergies,” you might be confused about how to do that. What are you supposed to do – chase your precious purrincess away? Stop cuddling with her? Stop grooming? We know you can’t do that, but we’ve got the trick.
Whether you’ve got a family member who’s great with cats, a friend who doesn’t mind spending some quality time with your Mau, or a neighbor who’s more than happy to help when you’re struggling to keep everyone happy and healthy, that’s who you need to turn to. Get someone to clean your cat for you!
4. Spend some time teaching your Mau what she can and can’t do
Egyptian Mau cats are incredibly intelligent and independent, and that’s why they’re a great option to consider when you’re trying to figure out which cat breed to adopt. Egyptian Maus might not be hypoallergenic, but you can teach them what they can and can’t do to protect you from dander.
While your restrictions and boundaries might cause the wrath of your Egyptian queen, you need to look out for yourself. Don’t sleep together. Don’t eat from the same plate. Don’t cuddle after working out or exploring the great outdoors (a sweaty kitty might not be the best choice for you).
5. Get proper medication from your Mau’s doctor
Proper medication can make a world of difference for both of you. We know you’re unhappy about the thought of taking medication for the sake of owning a cat or, God forbid, forcing your cat to take medication for your own pleasure. However, that might be the one thing that enables you to own a cat.
Make an appointment with your doctor and check whether your allergies allow you to have an Egyptian Mau cat while following the regiment of cleaning, cleaning, and even more cleaning. After that, take whatever advice your doctor gives you. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a green light!
