Allergies and Hypo-Allergenic Cats

Cats for People Who Are Allergic

It's not fair! You want to own a cat or at least be able to be around one, but every time you do, your body becomes miserable with allergic reactions. Millions of people around the world get the same symptoms you do when an allergic reaction kicks in:

• Eyes - red, itchy, watery, and swollen
• Ears - may become plugged and itchy
• Nose - sneezing, congestion, itchy and runny
• Throat - post- nasal drip, itchy and hoarseness
• Lungs - coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath
• Skin - itchy with rashes and hives

Layers of Cat Hairs

1. Guard Hairs - longest type of hair that protects the undercoat from certain elements
2. Awn Hairs- shorter that guard hairs but longer than dawn hairs, also protects undercoat
3. Dawn Hairs- shortest type of hair, mostly helps for maintaining heat and insulation

   Definitions as defined in Dictionary.com : hypo-allergenic - Having a decreased tendency to provoke an allergic reaction

What makes your body react this way is a protein that comes glands extracted from the skin and saliva from a cat and it is called Glycoprotein Fel D1 . This protein is very sticky and attaches itself to walls, furniture, skin, clothing and can be airborne for months. You may notice that you don't have the same allergic reaction to all cats with hair, but it basically depends on the amount of Fel D1 that a particular cat (regardless of the breed) may produce. There are few breeds of cats that do not produce this protein and so many people who have been allergic to cats can live comfortably with them.

The Sphinx is a well known cat breed that does not produce Fel D1 through the hair and skin but people may still have an allergic reaction to the protein in the saliva. But again, people who are normally allergic to cats are able to live comfortably with the Sphinx because the protein does not spread through the saliva. The Sphinx is known to be the "Canadian Hairless" but it is not really hairless. The Sphinx has very fine and soft hair and is very soft and warm to the touch. The coat also has the same color and patterns as it would appear if it had long hair like other breeds. Many people who are first time owners of the Sphinx are surprised to find how intelligent and affectionate they are. Though they do not shed hair, they do require coat maintenance. Sphinx produce body oils and require frequent baths. Also, they are required to be indoor cats because of skin sensitivity to the sun. Because of the lack of hair, the Sphinx can not contain regular body heat and exposure to the sun may cause it to have sun burns. Sphinx tend to hang around warm areas like computers and lamps for warmth. You may also recognize a Sphinx in the Austin Powers movie as Dr. Evil's pet known as Mr. Bigglesworth.

The Devon Rex and Cornish Rex are not hypo-allergenic but do not have guard hairs and do not shed like other cats so the amount of Fel D1 can be a lot more bearable. "Rex" refers to a curly type of hair. The Devon Rex has short curly hair and is a medium sized cat. They are known to be very intelligent and can be trained like dogs. People who have owned the Devon Rex have compared them to dogs and monkeys. They have very large ears, eyes, toes, and have and long legs allowing them to perform long jumps. They are very affectionate and like to hang out in high places and even on an owner's shoulder.

The Cornish Rex has only down hair. This type of cat breed sheds very fine hairs and for most people allergic reactions are very minimal or none at all. The body type is long and sleek, and hair is very fine and is known to be the softest of any other cat breed. Just like the Devon Rex, it is most suitable as an indoor cat. This type of breed's personality can be described as quite curious and mischievous for most of its cat life. It is very intelligent, friendly with adults and children, and can adapt to new environments quickly.

Note: Like I mentioned earlier in this article, allergic sensitivity varies regardless of the cat breed. Kittens spread less Fel D1 than adults and there have been people who have had an allergic reaction to a Rex. Therefore, you should see a doctor if this may be a concern. There are some Rex breeds that end up in shelters because owners make irresponsible choices without being sure of the allergy severity.

Dogs: Apartments and Training

Apartments

Owning a dog in an apartment can still have its advantages. It is true that things can be a little more complicated if you have a dog living in an apartment rather than house. The first thing most people think is that the dog will not be able to exercise and play in wide spaces. That is mostly true, but I believe that with proper care and training a dog can live a very happy life indoors as well. If you do live in an apartment now, but you would like to be able to own a dog there are some steps you must follow before even going out and choosing a dog.

You must check with the property management and make sure dogs are not banned. Luckily if they are not banned, you should evaluate your daily schedules and make sure that you will be able to provide proper care and attention as needed. If they are banned you might have an opportunity to change the landlord's mind by providing well collected information such as a pet resume, immunization record, references, and your pet care schedule. All these things will show responsibility and be able to convince the landlord that even if the dog causes damages (stains in carpet, torn or pulled carpet, scratches, etc.) you will take care of expenses for repair. Most landlords may be a little more reluctant to allow tenants allow dogs if it means more stable tenants.

Crate Training

Will you be able to take the dog out to go to the bathroom when it needs to? Some dogs are able to adapt to a daily schedule on this type of situation. Let's say you feed your dog and take it out before you go to work or school, you get home from work at 5:30 everyday and you feed the dog and then take it out for a walk to pee. The dog can get used to this and will even wait for you to get home if properly trained, crate training can be a solution. It is not advised at all to expect the dog to suddenly be able to "hold it." If you are not willing to give the dog this type of proper attention, the dog will not be well educated and situation will result with feces and urine inside your home. This can be very frustrating after dealing with it on a daily basis. It can also be very confusing and frustrating for the dog if it is not able to understand when and where it is ok to "go." Some people think that crate training can be cruel but it can actually be a good outcome. As long as you relate all good behavior and rewards during the introduction of the crate to your dog, your dog will accept the crate as a safe home.

Choose a crate that suits your dog's size. Your dog should be able to stand up and turn around for comfort in the crate. When you first bring the crate home don't automatically force your dog into the crate and lock her up and leave for 6 hours. You should leave the door open and maybe leave a couple of treats inside and a blanket and let her investigate on her own. Maybe even try to crawl in yourself for a bit with your dog so that she can assume it's a good place to be and not a punishment cage. When she does decide to sit inside comfortable and patiently you can leave the cage door open and walk away for a moment. Leave her food and water inside and sit back and wait for her behavior. When it seems like she is ok with hanging out in the cage you can close the cage door and stand there for a moment and walk away. She may start whining but don't open the door for her right away. Stand by the cage and wait for her to calm down then open the cage door and let her get out on her own. No this will not be solved in one day, you will have to do this repeatedly for a few days until your dog gets used to the schedule. Dogs don't like to lay in their own urine and feces so they will get used to having to hold it until you come back home and take her out.

When you do take your dog out for a walk remember you will have to pick up after the dog. Not only for respect for pedestrians but it is the law! You can be fined for not picking up the feces and disposing of them properly.

Animal Shelter or Breeder?

Animal Shelter

From my own personal experience I believe that your best options for adopting a dog or cat would be at an animal shelter. Here are good reasons I believe so.

Animal shelters save cats and dogs that have lost their home, have been neglected or abused by a previous owner, and owners that may have simply decided that they can no longer offer care and attention to their pet for financial or other reasons. Animal shelters have cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, and sometimes rodents or birds. They may also provide you with animal's previous owner, health, or personality information. Most shelters will even require you to fill out an application and an interview to make sure that the new pet you are interested is compatible with your home environment such as kids and other animals you may already own.

Basically, you may simply be considering on adopting a pet but not sure what you may be looking for. Upon entering the shelter you may even see full bred and mix bred animals. You can decide whether an adult dog or cat would be more suited than a younger pet that may require extra training and health expenses.

Adopting an animal at a shelter has many benefits. The shelter's are required to only put animals for adoption that have already been neutered or spayed, include a microchip identification system, and have treated health issues that may need attention. Even if you do decide that the pet is not right for your home and family, most shelters will give you the option of being able to return the pet to them so that perhaps another qualified person may adopt it. Fees for adopting animals at shelters may range from $75 to $150 depending on the type and age of the animal.

This is a great comparison to not adopting from a shelter and still have to make initial vet visits that may still include shots, medication, microchip implantation, etc. It is a good way on cutting down your expenses and you get save an animal!

The great thing about shelters its that its employed by people who choose to help animals. Not only are people payed to do what they love but some do it for free! I was a volunteer at the North Shore Animal League America and I met a lot great and dedicated employees and volunteers. The people at the center cared for animals that had been rescued after being homeless due to natural disasters and nurtured them until they were ready to go up for adoption. The dogs and cats at the center get a lot of caring attention from volunteers who are also trained to help you pick the perfect candidate.

Breeder

Unless you are completely knowledgable about the breed you are interested in you should choose a breeder. That means you should be familiar with this particular breed's genetics, animal husbandry, puppy rearing, training, and evaluating temperament. Most breeder don't raise their pups as "pets," they raise them according to their specimen instincts. So if you are just looking for the typical indoor pet you are looking the wrong way.

First, a breeder that you can take seriously will ask you a lot of questions. That is because they truly care for the dog's respect in breed and upcoming future. Remember that purchasing or adopting a dog is atleast a 15-20 year commitment. The breeder will not allow you to take the pup before it is atleast 8 weeks of age, that is because it is illegal in most states and puppies learn a lot in their first 6-8 weeks. He/she should also be able to prove to you in a medical record that the puppy has recieved its first shots. If it hasn't, this breeder most like isn't one to take seriously and is trying to take shortcuts. Just like in most good animal shelters, the breeder will try to get to know you and your family and will choose the right puppy for you.

A good breeder will also always offer a life time guarantee. This means the breeder cares each of his raised pups individually and would rather take it back if things just don't work out for you for whatever reason. Also, ask for references from previous "customers." This can help you decide through a grown adult dog if proper training and care has been provided before purchase. A good breeder will not look into advertising in a magazing, this may link to puppy mills or producing too many puppies. Word of mouth and references should be enough.

Food for Your Pet

What to look for in Pet Foods

Have you ever been in the pet food isle at your local grocery store and been overwhelmed by the amount of wet and dry pet food options available? I know I have stood there looking through all the different brands which all claim to be nutritionally beneficial for your animal not knowing which was actually the best.

Finding the right type of kitten/cat food is important to your kitten/cat's health and development. Not only should you be concerned about what your cat is eating, but also if these companies are testing these products on animals under cruel conditions. Even some of the most popular cat and dog food products have secrets in their food that they are not telling you. This means foods being advertised on television and on the web are not necessarily the best because they are widely known. I can tell you that researching certain cat foods was a little shocking, innocent cats and dogs are put through unbelievable torture by these companies to produce what they call quality food.

Try to avoid cat food that contains byproducts. Byproducts are basically all the parts of animals that are "left over" and that we, ourselves do not want to eat. That includes necks, feet, unfertilized eggs, intestines, and may even contain feathers. They consider these to be high protein foods but at the same time this may make your precious pet sick. Companies use byproducts as a cheap way to add proteins and "fillers." We can recognize what we eat but our pets don't, so we should do the research for them. It's amazing how they even make them taste so good for our pets!

It may be a little hard at first because most of us go to the store to purchase all of our grocery needs. If you don't really have a choice, in my opinion I would look for products with byproducts at the end of the list. If you basically want to skip some of the research, definitely look into Innove Evo wet and dry cat food. This product contains absolutely no byproducts. The thing is you can only purchase this brand in certain pet supply stores but you can order them by flats through the Internet. My cats love Innove Evo. The high quality proteins they have added helps their health and have even made their coats oh so shiny and soft. I have tried Wysong treats for my cats as well, you can serve as a wet meal or dry meal. Again, no byproducts and it is listed as free from animal testing.

Because I believe that if you love animals and you love your cat, you would not want other cats to be harmed as well right? Do your research and make sure that you cat food is free of animal testing!

Dogs: If You Live in a House

House

Living in a house would be a little more ideal for a dog rather than in an apartment. Though I am not against dogs living in apartments and have met and cared for dogs in apartments and they live happy and healthy lives. Of course if you do live in an apartment and you decide to bring a new dog or puppy into your home there are couple things you should consider.

Living in apartments; generally, you won't have access to your own private backyard or front yard like you would living in a house. People who live in houses are able to allow their dogs to play, exercise, and potty train their dog to go outdoors safely. You should not let your dog run loose anywhere but in your own secured property due to traffic danger, pet-nappers, and the law. If you do decide to keep your dog in a fenced yard, you must make sure that the fence is tall enough and that there is no way of it escaping. Dogs do get bored while you are at work or school and they will find a way to get out. Some dogs will figure out a way to jump onto trash cans and over the fence or even dig a tunnel to get to the other side. You should check the laws in your state and find out what type of fences are allowed on your property.

If you decide to set up a dog house in your backyard you should consider its visibility from your home. Also, dogs do like to dig holes around their homes in hot weather to keep cool, so pick a spot where it would be ok for it to dig holes. Dog houses should be just big enough for it to get up and adjust itself for warmth and comfort during the cold. A nice thick bedding inside its home would be ideal.

Think again about Pet Stores

Things to know about Pet Stores

Those puppies look so cute in their cages don't they? Yes, they do deserve a loving owner a safe place to live. But there are little things you need to know about purchasing an animal at a pet store.

Most puppies sold at pet stores come from places called "Puppy Mills." Puppies are taken from their mother when they are too young, usually 4 -6 weeks of age. The ideal length of time a puppy should stay with its mother is up to 10 weeks, that's 2 1/2 months. During the first ten weeks, cleanliness, caring attention, and training are extremely important to allow the puppy to be healthy during its most important time of growth. Pet stores like to sell puppies at an age that is too young because some are never sold soon enough and most people would rather buy a puppy than an adult dog. They think, "Hey, the younger the cuter means it will sell fast!" When the puppy is taken from its mother at 4 - 6 weeks of age, they are sold to a broker and "fattened up" then shipped off to pet stores. By the time you see a puppy at a pet store it is probably 8 weeks of age. That means the puppy has been alone without contact with other animals or people for a month before they are sold. By not giving these puppies the attention and love they deserve and need, their behavior may lead to aggression with people, including young children, and other animals.

Puppy mills are very filthy. The dogs and puppies are not fed and given water on a regular basis. The dogs are not taken care of so they become very thin, dirty, matted, and most will likely have a bacterial disease called coccidia. Coccidia includes diarrhea, blood in mucous, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Other innocent animals may grow to have respiratory diseases, worms, eye and ear infections. Even when you think you have raised your cute puppy to good health, most likely it will pass on its diseases to its own babies or to other animals.

Even if you try your hardest to care for this puppy some may never grow out of the way they have been treated and your parents may end up over spending on an animal that may have no hope. A friend of mine purchased an adorable Pomeranian and ended up giving it up cause it got really sick and the vet said it would eventually die. The pet store owner lied about the puppies health, so you can't really trust the store owners themselves.

Another bad thing about purchasing animals from pet stores is that the pet store owner will not take responsibility for anything that may happen to your pet afterwards. Pet store owners will not offer medical treatment and have absolutely no history of the mother's health or the puppy itself.