You’re a true cat person, but you can’t spend more than a couple of hours around cats because of your cat allergy. First of all, you’re not alone. Cat dander is among common allergens that cause reactions in humans. But the studies showed that a protein called Fel d1 found in cat saliva was the culprit of approximately 10 percent of the cat-allergic people.
If you can’t stop sneezing, itching and experiencing really strong allergic reactions to cats, then maybe you shouldn’t really insist on getting one for yourself. On the other hand, if you don’t have really severe allergic reactions, you will have to choose the right cat for you and might want to consider cats that are best suitable for people with allergies.
However, you should know that every cat will still produce the same dander you’re allergic to. So, a completely hypoallergenic cat doesn’t really exist. That means that we can only talk about “more hypoallergenic” cats that will only produce a smaller amount of dander but can’t be considered as absolutely suitable for people with allergies. Some cats can also produce less of the allergen protein Fel d1 found in cat saliva, which can also make it more suitable for people intolerant to this cat allergen.
Are you ready to find out which cat breeds you can consider if you find yourself sneezing, coughing and itching in the presence of a kitty-cat? Let’s start!
1. Siberian
This elegant cat from Russia has a long, thick coat that protects her from her native taiga of Siberia, where winters are cold and harsh. Siberian cats have been around for more than 1,000 years in Russia and have often been depicted in Russian folktales.
They are known to be one of the “most hypoallergenic” cat breeds because they produce less of the Fel d1 protein than other cats.
If you’re thinking about getting yourself one fluffy, Siberian kitten, expect a friendly cat that will be quite affectionate toward you and your friends. And if you’re an allergy sufferer, hanging out with a Siberian should cause you a lot of problems, as some people claim that almost 75 percent of people allergic to cats have no reactions to the Siberian!
2. Balinese
Balinese is a graceful cat that looks like the “long-haired Siamese”. Although it might not seem like a perfect breed for someone that has allergies to cats, it was found that these cats also produce less of the Fel D1 protein that is the culprit of cat allergies (just like Siberian cats).
The Siamese and the Balinese actually differ only in coat length. So experts believe that Siamese cats were crossed with Persian or Turkish cats and the result of the cross-breeding was the beautiful Balinese.
Balinese cats often like to walk around your feet and follow you everywhere. They will definitely show you their affection and let you know exactly how he feels.
3. Javanese
Javanese cats are another variation of Siamese. In fact, they were developed from Siamese, Colorpoint and Balinese cats. Some people categorized Javanese as Balinese cats, but the final division of the breeds was declared in 2008 making the Javanese a breed on its own.
So, it is quite common that people will confuse this cat with other similar cat breeds. What’s good here is that if you’re suffering from cat allergies, you shouldn’t be worried as all of these breeds are relatively hypoallergenic and will likely cause you milder allergic reactions or no allergic reactions at all.
4. Bengal
Bengal cats are also dubbed the “Rolls Royce” of felines because of their rarity and the cost of the kittens. One woman even paid $50,000 for a Bengal kitten in 1990.
Most people that are allergic to cats had no allergic reaction or a milder reaction to this intelligent and exotic breed when compared to other cat breeds. These cats will entertain you with their friendliness, intelligence, and their will to play games all the time. What’s great about them is that their short layer of hair won’t shed as much as other cat’s hair. They also require less grooming than the first three “hypoallergenic” cats of this list!
5. Siamese
Siamese cats are characterized by their soft, silky hair. And although there are no completely hypoallergenic cats, like we already said, there are cats that simply cause milder or no allergic reactions at all.
The first factor that influences the severity of allergic reactions is the amount of shedding. When cats shed a lot, the hair they leave around the house can have both cat dander and cat saliva on it which inevitably results in uncontrollable sneezing in allergic people. So, the reason why Siamese are among the hypoallergenic breeds is because they shed much less than many other cat breeds!
6. Cornish Rex
This cat breed made his appearance in Cornwall in 1950. His looks are definitely unusual with his short, wavy coat and his egg-shaped head. Most people believe that Cornish Rex cats are hypoallergenic because of their short hair, but that’s not true.
What makes this cat be more suitable for people with cat allergies is their smaller amount of shedding. These cats are playful, energetic, and actually quite vocal. They will let you know if something is bothering them, or if something brings them a lot of joy. A Cornish Rex will do great with children, other pets and even new people.
7. Burmese
Another people friendly cat that is known to be slightly a better pal for cat-allergic people. The Burmese cat is an outgoing cat that is quite solid and heavy, but still very athletic.
Their hair is silky, fine and short and usually comes in the original dark brown as well as champagne or blue. His hypnotizing golden eyes are also what sets them apart from other cats. Burmese cats will thrive when they have a lot of attention and they will love to spend their time with their people.
8. Devon Rex
You might think at first that Devon Rex and Cornish Rex are actually the same breed, but the test showed that both of these breeds had separate genetics. However, both of these cats have a curly, soft short coat that is often considered as the most hypoallergenic trait in felines.
They are lightly built and have long, sturdy legs that are great for reaching high points in the apartment. They are also known as “alien cats” because of their wide heads, large eyes and round-shaped, large ears.
9. Colorpoint Shorthair
The Colorpoint Shorthair is another variant of Siamese cats but differs from them for its non-traditional colors. It is a breed developed by crossing American Shorthair with the Siamese, and that’s how the new color was brought in.
These medium-sized cats are very talkative, outgoing and quite social. Colorpoint Shorthair loves being in company and will disapprove if left alone for too long. That’s why a lot of people take two of these cats so they can keep each other’s company. However, their low-shedding traits are what makes them a good choice for cat-allergic people.
10. Ocicat
Here we have another distant relative of the Siamese cats. However, out of all Siamese-related cats, Ocicat looks the least like it. They were created through a cross between Siamese, Abyssinian and American Shorthair cats.
These cats have short hair of distinct colors and leopard-like spots which makes them look quite wild. It is believed that their coat also causes milder allergic reactions or no allergies at all. Ocicats are very smart and sociable and will likely get along with other people and pets. These cats can also be taught to walk on a leash!
11. Sphynx
Sphynx, also known as the hairless cat, is one of the cats that are likely described as hypoallergenic. Their unusual looks make them look quite unique and exotic. However, the Sphynx wear a suede-like coat instead of fur. Thanks to this silky coat, they are very cuddly and soft to touch.
Sphynx cats have a wrinkled face and body and can come in different colors or pattern. They can be solid, pointed or tabby. So, if you’re an admirer of these bald but beautiful felines, you may find them in various colors.
12. Oriental Shorthair
The Oriental Shorthair another relative of Siamese. They were developed by crossing Siamese with other breeds until the result was achieved. You can find Orientals in many different colors and patterns as well as with pointed varieties.
These cats are very social, intelligent and can also be quite vocal. Oriental cats seek a lot of human interaction and love to live with more people too. Their low-shedding properties inherited from the Siamese are what makes them a good choice for people with mild allergies.
13. Russian Blue
Russian Blue cats are among the most popular ones that people with cat allergies look for. They have quite a dense coat, which might lead you to think that it’s quite unlikely to believe these cats can be hypoallergenic.
It was found that these cats are great from an allergies perspective because they produce less of the Fel d 1 protein which minimizes the chances of an allergic reaction. But, that’s not everything! Their double coat was adapted to protect Russian Blue from the harsh climate in Russia. You might probably think now, but what does that have to do with allergies? Namely, this dense, double coat also protects us by trapping allergens more closely to the cat’s skin. This way, fewer allergens are spread in your environment.
14. Laperm
The last cat on this list is LaPerm cat. Its unique, curly coat has proved to reduce the amount of dander spread around your home. This is why a lot of people that are allergy sufferers might find themselves relaxed when in a LaPerm’s company.
These cats are rather small-sized cats that can come in different colors. Apart from their curly, soft hair, LaPerm cats are also known for their playfulness and their amazing sense of humor. Living with them will often make you laugh because of their clownish or mischievous behavior.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article helped you determine which cat might be more suitable for someone that suffers from allergies or for someone who encounters a lot of people that might be allergic to cats. However, as we already mentioned various times, there is no such thing as 100 percent hypoallergenic cat. You can only find cats that will be less likely to spread traces of cat allergens such as cat saliva and cat dander, and that’s all.
Also, it is said that female cats, light-colored cats, and neutered males produce fewer allergy culprits than male cats, dark-colored and intact males respectively.