Why are Siberian cats considered “hypoallergenic”?

The word hypoallergenic simply means less likely to cause an allergic reaction—and for many families, that small difference makes all the difference.

Siberians are often a wonderful choice for people with cat allergies. While no breed is completely allergen-free, Siberians tend to produce less of the Fel d 1 protein—the main allergen found in cat saliva, skin, and dander. When cats groom themselves, that protein transfers to their fur and into the air, which is what usually triggers reactions.

Research supports what many Siberian owners already know. In one study of 300 Siberians, more than half had significantly lower allergen levels than average cats. A few produced almost none at all, while a small number still showed higher levels. On average, Siberians make about 40–60% less Fel d 1 than most other breeds.

At True North Siberians, we understand that allergies are personal. Each person’s sensitivity is different, and each cat’s allergen level varies too. We’re happy to provide a fur sample or set up a short visit so you can see how you respond before making a decision.

Most people with mild to moderate allergies do well with a Siberian and can enjoy all the warmth, affection, and playful personality this breed is known for. Those with a history of severe allergies should check with their doctor before bringing home a True North Siberian.

Test kits marketed by Kitten Testing are more concise, and can be used  to test allergen levels in kittens. Kitten buyers are welcome to buy test kits for their own comfort of safety.

The Major Cat Allergen, Fel d 1, in Diagnosis and Therapy
Some of the best work in indoor feline allergens has been performed by the Clinical Immunology and Allergy Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Fel d 4,  A Cat Lipocalin Allergen
Lipocalin may be a major cause of initial sensitization to cat.  This technical study on feline lipocalins is available on PubMed.gov

Many families turn to the Siberian breed because they’ve heard they’re hypoallergenic. While Siberians often produce fewer allergens than most cats, we prefer not to use the term hypoallergenic. It can be misleading, and we believe in setting honest expectations.

Cat allergies are usually caused by a protein called Fel d 1, which is found in a cat’s saliva, skin, and dander. When cats groom themselves, that protein dries on their fur and spreads into the air—so it’s not the hair itself that causes reactions.

Siberians tend to produce lower levels of Fel d 1 due to a genetic variation in their DNA. Some studies suggest they may also have differences in other proteins like Fel d 4, which can affect how each person responds. Because both humans and cats are individuals, reactions can vary widely. Some people who are allergic to other breeds find they do well with Siberians, especially if they aren’t allergic to horses or rabbits, which share similar allergen structures.

Coat color can also play a small role—reds and colorpoints are sometimes found to have slightly higher allergen levels. If anyone in your household has cat allergies, please mention it when contacting us so we can help guide your decision.

If you’re exploring a Siberian for allergy reasons, testing before adoption is a smart step. We offer several ways to do this:

Fur sample testing: For a $10 prepaid fee (via Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle), we can mail you fur samples from one of the kitten’s parents. This gives a snapshot of what you might expect, since kittens naturally produce lower allergen levels than they will as adults.

In-person exposure: If you’re local, we can arrange a short visit with our adult cats at a public location where pets are allowed. Please note, however, that we also have two Labrador Retriever dogs, so if you’re also allergic to dogs, this won’t give you the information you need to determine any allergy response.

Laboratory allergen testing: You may also request a professional allergen test of the parents through a certified lab. We can provide you with the link to order the kit directly.

Please note that all allergy testing is done at the buyer’s expense, and breeding cats tend to produce slightly higher allergen levels than altered cats. For those who want more accurate results, we offer Kitten Allergen Testing through a certified laboratory at your expense. This test measures the specific Fel d 1 allergen levels produced by an individual kitten, giving you a clear, science-based picture of what to expect.

Because every cat and every person is unique, no breeder can guarantee a completely allergy-free experience. But these options help you make an informed and confident decision about welcoming a Siberian into your home.

For additional research and data on Siberians and allergies, we recommend visiting The Siberian Research Website.

If you find you’re mildly sensitive to cats, there are practical ways to reduce allergens while still enjoying life with your Siberian. Even small changes can make a noticeable difference in your comfort at home.

Bathe and blow-dry monthly. Regular baths help remove the Fel d 1 protein from your cat’s coat and keep their fur soft, clean, and mat-free.

Feed a high-quality wet diet. A protein-rich diet supports a healthy coat, reduces shedding, and limits loose hair around your home.

Brush regularly. Routine brushing collects loose fur before it ends up on furniture or clothing.

Keep your cat out of sleeping areas. It’s hard to resist those cuddles, but keeping your sleeping space cat-free reduces overnight exposure to allergens.

Use washable bedding where your cat likes to rest. Wash it weekly to keep allergens under control.

Choose a dust-free litter. Many allergy sufferers find that low-dust or natural litters make a noticeable difference.

Vacuum often. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap dander and hair effectively.

Use an air purifier. The use of an air purifier helps keep the fur down to a minimum and also helps reduce other environmental allergens.

The word hypoallergenic simply means less likely to cause an allergic reaction—and for many families, that small difference makes all the difference.

Make an appointment with your allergist. In some cases, there are pre-emptive shots that your allergist can help administer to reduce your response.

These small habits help create a cleaner, more comfortable home for both you and your Siberian.

We understand how exciting it is to meet your future kitten in person, and we wish it were that simple. But for everyone’s safety—human and feline—we don’t allow in-person visits to our in-home cattery.

There are a few important reasons:

Health and safety for our kittens: Young kittens have developing immune systems. Even brief visits can expose them to germs, bacteria, or viruses that could make them sick. We follow strict sanitation and quarantine protocols to keep them healthy.

Security and privacy: Our cattery is also our home. Limiting visitors helps us protect our family and the animals in our care.

Stress prevention: New scents, voices, and movement can overwhelm kittens and their mothers. Keeping their environment calm helps them grow into confident, well-adjusted companions.

We still want you to feel connected throughout the process. We’re happy to schedule video meet-and-greets (Zoom, Google Meet, Facetime, and Facebook Video work for us) so you can watch your kitten play, ask questions, and get to know their personality. Once you’ve reserved your kitten, you’ll also receive regular photo and video updates as your kitten grows.

Our goal is to make the experience personal, safe, and joyful—for both you and your future Siberian.

If you’re unable to meet us in Centennial, Colorado on pickup day, you have another option. We’re experienced airline nannies, having hand-delivered both puppies and kittens across the US.

Your kitten will travel in-cabin with us for the entire journey, never in cargo. We handle the details, provide comfort and care throughout the flight, and ensure your new family member arrives calm, clean, and ready to settle in.

Here’s how it works:

You cover the round-trip airfare plus a modest travel fee to cover our time and meals on the day(s) of travel. We’ll meet you right at your home airport, introduce you to your kitten, and then head back home on a return flight. We prefer a same day turnaround, but if that’s not possible, we’ll also need you to cover the cost of a hotel room.

We’re also able to deliver your baby internationally when needed. In those cases, you’ll be responsible for all travel expenses, required veterinary requirements, documentation, including import paperwork and health certificates.

Our goal is simple: to make your kitten’s journey as safe, comfortable, and personal as possible.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) – What You Need to Know

Congratulations on your new kitten. I want to make sure you’ve got all the information you need to keep your kitten happy and healthy.

One illness that responsible breeders talk about with new owners is feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP. It sounds frightening, but don’t panic. FIP is rare and being aware of it means you’ll know what to do if it ever happens.

What is FIP

FIP is caused by a reaction to the feline version of coronavirus. Almost all cats are exposed to coronavirus at some point in their lives and for nearly every cat it never causes a problem. In a very small number of cats the virus changes into FIP. This is a random event. It’s not caused by anything you did and it’s not anyone’s fault.

Think of it like coronavirus in people. Most people get sick with a flu like illness then get better. Some people, even perfectly healthy people, get very sick and end up in hospital.

How Common is FIP

FIP is very uncommon, but it does happen. We don’t yet know why. It has something to do with a cats immune response but what the trigger is no one knows. It’s seen mostly in younger cats and kittens, usually under two years of age. Adult cats are much less likely to develop it.

Signs to Watch For

FIP can look different in each cat, but some of the signs you might see include:

• Loss of appetite

• Weight loss

• Persistent fever that doesn’t respond to antibiotics

• Lethargy or low energy

• Swollen belly or fluid build up

• Eye changes such as inflammation or cloudiness

If you notice any of these signs, take your kitten to the vet quickly and mention you’re concerned about FIP.

What to Do if You Suspect FIP

Act fast because early veterinary care makes a big difference.

Take your kitten to the vet right away and explain you’re worried about FIP Ask your vet about testing options to confirm a diagnosis.

Remember that treatments now exist and many cats are being saved. Treatment for FIP used to be unavailable, but now there are effective medications that are saving lives all over the world. The treatment itself often isn’t the most expensive part. The higher costs usually come from tests, diagnosis and vet care in the beginning.

That’s why keeping insurance in place during your kitten’s early life is so important.

It is also the case that testing and confirming a diagnosis can take time. You can ask your vet if the suspect FIP and if they do, request treatment start before confirmation.

You can always stop if it is not FIP.

If you need support, your vet should always be your first contact. Different vets have different treatment protocols and these are changing all the time. There are also FIP owner support groups online where people share their experiences, their treatment journeys and help each other through the process. This can be a great place to access medications for your cat that a vet may not have available. I can also help point you towards reputable information and support networks if you ever need them.

Should I Worry?

No. The vast majority of cats will never develop FIP. Most kittens live long, healthy lives without ever having this illness. Knowing about it simply means you’ll recognize the signs early and you’ll know how to act if it does come up.

I want you to feel supported and reassured. FIP is rare, treatments are improving every year and the success rate is now very good if it’s caught quickly. Most importantly, you’re not on your own. If you’ve got questions or worries, please reach out to me. I am always here for you and your kitten.

Enjoy your kitten and all the joy they’ll bring to your life.

Disclaimer: I’ve prepared this guide to give you helpful information as a new kitten owner. I’m sharing what I know from experience, but I’m not a veterinarian and this isn’t a substitute for professional advice. If your cat or kitten has any health issues, they need to be diagnosed and treated by a qualified vet. This guide is here to support you with practical tips alongside veterinary care, but I can’t accept responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided.

There are three health topics you will hear about with Siberians. HCM, PKDef, and PKD1. Testing guides responsible breeding decisions and supports long-term health.

HCM. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
HCM affects the heart muscle. The heart wall thickens, and the heart fills less efficiently. Many cats show no early signs. HCM sometimes leads to heart failure or blood clots. (Cornell Vet College) Vet teams screen for HCM with an echocardiogram. Many veterinarians treat echocardiography as the gold-standard test for diagnosis. (Cornell Vet College) Currently, no single DNA test screens Siberians for HCM. Breeding programs rely on repeat echocardiograms over time. (PawPeds)

PKDef. Pyruvate kinase deficiency
PKDef is an inherited red-blood-cell enzyme disorder. Affected cats break down red blood cells too quickly, which leads to hemolytic anemia. (Veterinary Genetics Laboratory) A DNA test reports three results: Normal, Carrier, or Affected. Two Carrier parents produce Affected kittens about 25 percent of the time. (Veterinary Genetics Laboratory)

PKD1. Polycystic kidney disease
PKD involves cysts in the kidneys. The most common DNA screen targets the PKD1 mutation linked to feline PKD, seen most often in Persian lines and related ancestry. (Veterinary Genetics Laboratory) PKD1 follows a dominant inheritance pattern. A positive result signals increased PKD risk, so most breeding programs remove positive cats from breeding plans. (Veterinary Genetics Laboratory)

What does True North Siberians do to reduce these risks?
True North Siberians screens all breeding cats with DNA testing and heart echocardiograms. A board-certified veterinary cardiologist performs HCM echocardiograms. We do not breed cats who test positive (affected) for heritable disease variants.

Yes! We’re a registered cattery with both TICA #113693 & CFA #403041. When you reach out to us, please feel free to ask for a copy of our cattery registration certificates to verify.

Yes, we show our cats primarily in TICA shows as they are the most prevalent in our region. Ask us where we’ll be next to visit us at an upcoming show! We’d love to see you there.