Shruti Haasan faces allergies from her Persian cat. When is it risky for you?

Shruti Haasan recently spoke about rehoming her Persian kitten after developing a severe allergy. But are Persian cats more likely to cause allergies? Here is what cat owners need to know before bringing one home.Shruti Haasan’s experience with a severe allergy after adopting a Persian kitten raises questions about cat allergies, symptoms and who should be cautious. (Image: Instagram and Pexels)Bringing home a Persian kitten can feel like the beginning of a very fluffy love story. But for some people, living with a cat can also mean sneezing, itchy eyes, skin rashes or even breathing problems. Actor Shruti Haasan recently spoke about having to rehome her Persian kitten Aslan after developing a severe allergy, calling the decision heartbreaking. But does the Persian breed itself make allergies worse? Not exactly. Cat allergies are mainly caused by proteins produced by cats, particularly allergens found in saliva, skin and dander. All cats produce allergens, and there is no truly hypoallergenic cat breed.WHY CAN A PERSIAN CAT TRIGGER AN ALLERGY?The culprit is not simply a cat's fur. One of the main cat allergens is a protein called Fel d 1, which is found largely in saliva and skin secretions and gets distributed through grooming and shedding. Cat allergens can also be carried in dander.This means a person can react to a Persian cat even if they have never reacted to another breed. At the same time, Persian cats are not inherently more allergenic simply because they have long hair.However, their dense coats can collect dander and other particles, which may increase the amount of allergen present around the home. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology notes that fur length itself is not associated with cat allergen levels. WHAT DOES A MILD CAT ALLERGY LOOK LIKE?For some people, symptoms can be irritating but manageable. These may include:SneezingRunny or blocked noseWatery, red or itchy eyesCoughingSkin rash or hivesHighly sensitive people can develop symptoms within minutes of touching a cat or entering a home where a cat lives. Cat owner Radifah Kafir says, she did not experience any allergy symptoms after bringing her cat home."Honestly, none at all, and that surprised a lot of people around me. I braced myself for the usual complaints, such as itchy eyes, sneezing and persistent throat tickle, simply because so many new cat owners describe exactly that in the first few weeks."WHEN DOES A CAT ALLERGY BECOME SERIOUS?Breathing difficulty is where a routine allergy should not simply be brushed aside. Wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath can occur with pet allergies and may be particularly concerning for people with allergic asthma.Kafir says owners should watch for more serious symptoms."A serious reaction looks and feels entirely different. Watch for tightness in the chest, real difficulty breathing, swelling around the face or throat, or hives spreading rapidly across the body."Severe allergic reactions can worsen quickly. Trouble breathing, throat swelling, widespread hives, dizziness or fainting require urgent medical attention.CAN YOU REDUCE CAT ALLERGENS AT HOME?If you already have a cat, reducing exposure can help. Regular cleaning, using a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner and keeping the cat away from bedrooms can reduce allergen exposure.Kafir says grooming Kiwi has become part of the routine."We frequently brush Kiwi's hair. Grooming became a twice-weekly ritual, brushing his coat outdoors so loose fur and dander did not settle into our carpets and cushions."She adds that keeping him on a regular vaccination and deworming schedule and feeding him good-quality food may have contributed to how healthy and low-shedding his coat has remained, although this should not be taken as a proven method of preventing cat allergies.- EndsPublished By: vaishnavi parasharPublished On: Aug 12, 2026 08:00 IST