Canadian Hairless

How can Monica in Friends be allergic to a Sphynx cat?

Because I always thought it was the hair and not the animal itself that causes allergic reactions, so if the cat doesn't have hair how can she be allergic to it? I know it's just a TV show... I just wondered how she can be allergic to it, that is all!

Public Comments

1. Ummm.. Friends is a TV show. It should not be taken as reality. And there is no need to look for logical explanations to it.
2. It's often the dander or the cat's saliva. She was allergic to a Sphynix because that's how they wrote her to be. You know, not real life. A story. A television show. Pretend.
3. "Contrary to what some people believe, Sphynxes are not hypoallergenic. These cats still produce the protein to which allergic people react and shed it in their saliva and dander. The lack of hair may help to reduce the reaction in some people, but others are just as allergic to Sphynxes as to other cats." and "Although Sphynx cats are sometimes thought to be hypoallergenic due to their lack of coat, this is not always the case for cat specific allergies. Allergies to cats are triggered by a protein called Fel d1, not cat hair itself. Fel d1 is a tiny and sticky protein primarily found in cat saliva and sebaceous glands. Those with cat allergies may react worse to direct contact with Sphynx cats than other breeds. However, conflicting reports of some people successfully tolerating Sphynx cats also exist. However, these positive reports may be cases of desensitizing, wherein the "hairless" cat gave the owner optimism to try and own a cat, eventually leading to the positive situation of their own adaptation" So essentially, for some cat-allergy sufferers a Sphynx cat may be a suitable pet and not cause any allergic reactions, but for some people (including the character Monica on Friends) even a Sphynx cat will cause an allergic reaction, possibly even more so than other breeds.
4. Dander consists of dead skin cells and hair both. Because of this someone can be allergic to just about any animal. Allergies also vary from animal to animal. Hair length is irrelevant.
5. If you are allergic to the SALIVA, then you will be allergic to any cat - fur or no fur because ALL cats wash themselves and the saliva is on the skin.
6. You are right, but also the dander that can get someone allergic. Just a show ☻
7. I have a red point sphynx named Isaak :) Precious little creature. I got him not because I have cat allergies but because cat hair sticks to everything and I can not stand it. Also sphynx are extremely affectionate. He follows me everywhere... literally. Everytime I open a cabinet he has to explore it and even if im in the bathroom he sits up on the sink and looks at me. Most cat allergies are actually caused by dander (aka dried saliva). When a cat licks itself it is depositing saliva (and DNA) on to its hair... then if you pet it or if the hair is in the air you have an allergy to the DNA. Sphynx have small hairs all over their body making them feel a lot like velvet. They groom themselves so they too have dander and if you have an allergy to cat dander you will likely be allergic to sphynx as well. Our little man rarely grooms himself and since i dont have a cat allergy it has never been an issue anyways. I will note that because there is no hair floating around the air or sticking to the furniture there is far less likelyhood of it causing allergic reactions.