One in ten people are allergic to cats. Despite this, it is one of the worlds’s most popular and beloved pets. Luckily, there are a variety of hypoallergenic cat breeds to choose from even for those who are allergic.
The best cat for allergy sufferers is said to be the sphynx. This cat breed has no fur, so no allergenic saliva can stick to the cat when it licks itself to clean the fur. It is not the fur itself but the saliva of the cat that you are mainly allergic to. What happens in the body when cat allergy develops in childhood is that the body’s immune system overreacts to the egg white substances found in the cat’s saliva, but also in the animal’s urine, sebaceous glands and paw pads.
However, it is not possible to say that a particular cat is suitable for all allergic people. The best cat for allergy sufferers can differ.
Cat lovers who suffer from pet allergies don’t have to live without a feline companion. If you’re wondering if there are hypoallergenic cats, the answer is yes, in a manner. The same response applies to the question of whether hypoallergenic cats exist. Hypoallergenic cats allow cat owners to retain this type of pet without fear of allergic responses. Although they are not completely hypoallergenic and allergen-free, they are suitable for people who do not have severe allergies.
Many people believe that the cause of a person’s allergies is exclusively due to pet dander, whereas cat allergies, which affect around 10% of the population, are caused by a protein found in cat saliva called Fel d 1.
There isn’t just one hypoallergenic breed. When seeking for a hypoallergenic choice, there are many different cat breeds to choose from.
The following section will go through the numerous hypoallergenic cat breeds. In addition, we’ll share some tips on how to care for any breed while avoiding allergy issues.
Why Are These Cat Breeds Considered To Be Hypoallergenic?
The gray cat amuses its owner.
As previously stated, while these cat breeds are not completely hypoallergenic, they are more so than some of their feline cousins. So, what is it about these ten cat breeds that makes them hypoallergenic?
Because they create fewer allergies than other cat breeds, these cats are hypoallergenic. Even if you bring a hypoallergenic cat home with you, you may still encounter allergic problems.
Fortunately, there are several ways to treat pet allergy symptoms, both medically and naturally.
Find the best cat for allergy sufferers
Finding the right allergy-friendly cat for your family can be a bit of an adventure. This is because cat allergies can vary in severity and some cat breeds work for some people but not for others. However, there are many fine, hypoallergenic cats to choose from.
Cats usually emit the most allergens when they are kittens. So if you can’t cope with a kitten, you can still cope with an adult cat. To find the best hypoallergenic cat breed for you, it may be a good idea to contact different breeders to meet their cats and see if you react to them.
Why you should get a hypoallergenic cat
There are many reasons why you should get a hypoallergenic cat. A cat gives a lot of love to its family, especially those who are affectionate and love attention. A home simply becomes a home with a cat in it.
A Siberian cat, a Cornish rex or a Devonian rex can fit into your home despite cat allergies. Below, we’ve lined up ten allergy-friendly cat breeds that work for many allergy sufferers. However, not all of these cat breeds are suitable for people with cat allergies, but are merely examples of more hypoallergenic breeds. Remember to always test your luck to find a cat that the allergy sufferer can tolerate. Some pedigree cat associations have test homes that you can visit to see if you can cope with that breed of cat, which is a good step on the way to finding your new pet.
Sphynx – Allergy-friendly cats
The most famous allergy-friendly cat breed is the Sphynx. This cat has almost no fur at all, which is why it is an allergy-friendly cat. Since the sphynx has no fur for saliva to get stuck in, this cat is perfect for homes where allergy sufferers live.
Since the lack of thick fur makes these cats sensitive to both sun and cold, they are perfect as indoor cats. The lack of fur, whiskers and eyelashes may give Sphynx cats a distinctive look, but their skin is warm and soft, which is perfect for extra cuddles on the couch. Sphynx cats are social creatures who want lots of love.
This cat breed is curious and loves to give and receive attention from its family members. Therefore, if you get a LaPerm, you should spend a lot of time with your affectionate cat. A LaPerm is curious and playful.
1. Siamese cat – cat that doesn’t shed
Siamese is a short-haired cat breed that sheds very little fur around the home. This cat breed is one of the hypoallergenic cat breeds you can choose from as an allergy sufferer. Because the coat is so short, it requires hardly any grooming, which makes it easier for allergy sufferers.
One of the characteristics of Siamese cats is their liveliness and the fact that they love to talk to their owners. It is an active cat that will suit any family that wants lots of company. The Siamese is so sociable that it does best with a social feline companion. You’ll see this cat around the home all the time, always close to where you are.
2. Russian blue – allergy-friendly cat
If you want an allergy-friendly cat at home that is intelligent and graceful, then you should get a Russian blue. The almond-shaped eyes and grey coat make the Russian Blue a beautiful cat breed. The breed is also hypoallergenic as it produces less of the allergen FEL D1 than many other cats.
Russian blue is an independent cat that likes to play and jump around the home. It is an indoor cat that is quite quiet. It is therefore not a social cat, but a Russian blue likes to keep to itself while being loyal to its family members.
3. Cornish rex – hypoallergenic cat
If you’re looking for a playful cat, the Cornish rex is the best cat for allergy sufferers. The Cornish rex is a cat that will liven up your home with its curiosity and joy of discovery.
Despite being an allergy-friendly cat, the Cornish Rex still has fur on its body. What is special about this particular breed of cat, however, is that the coat consists of only one layer instead of the normal three. The coat of the Cornish Rex is the undercoat, which gives the coat a fine, wavy appearance. These cats do not shed their fur, which is good for allergy sufferers as well as for cleaning.
4. Devon rex – cat for allergy sufferers
An allergy-friendly cat similar to the cornish rex is the devon rex. This cat has even less hair than the cornish rex and is therefore perfect for allergy cat lovers. They shed hardly any fur at all, which makes cleaning easier and helps allergy sufferers as no saliva-soaked fur is spread around the home.
With a devon rex in your home, you’ll get a lot of love. They are suitable for families who want to give and receive lots of love and cuddles. The Devon rex is an indoor cat that loves warmth, so you will often find it on the floor basking in the warm rays of the sun.
5. Oriental Shorthair – cat hypoallergenic
Oriental Shorthair is one of the hypoallergenic cat breeds you can choose from if you have an allergic cat lover in your home. It is a sociable cat that will happily join any family member during the day. It is social, intelligent and happy to talk while exploring the home. Oriental Shorthair is well suited as an indoor cat for any family that wants a devoted cat.
Oriental Shorthair is available in a variety of beautiful colours and all varieties are hypoallergenic. Oriental Shorthair has a short, fine coat and it sheds very rarely. Please brush the coat regularly to reduce shedding.
6. Balines – allergy-free cat
One of the most hypoallergenic cat breeds is the Balinese. These cats have a wonderfully beautiful coat with light blue eyes. Best of all though, this cat produces less of the allergen FEL D1 compared to other cats, making it hypoallergenic. The coat is silky and has no undercoat.
A Balinese is an indoor cat that is very active and curious. If you want a cat that is social, extroverted and talks a lot, a Balines is a perfect choice. A Balines will become a big part of your family and we recommend the cat to anyone who can spend a lot of time at home with it.
7. LaPerm – best cat for allergy sufferers
LaPerm is an allergy-friendly cat with a soft, curly coat that gives it a distinctive look. The curly coat seems to stand up on all sides of this wonderful cat breed. It is particularly suitable for people with a more mild cat allergy. The curly coat sheds very little and retains the skin deposits. Therefore, brush your cat regularly and give it adequate grooming to remove the deposits.
8. Siberian cat – cat for allergy sufferers
Siberian cats have a long, soft coat, but can still be the best cat for allergy sufferers. This cat breed produces less of the protein allergen that many people react to. If you are allergic but still want a long-haired cat to cuddle with, then a Siberian cat could be the new family member of choice.
As you can hear from the name, Siberian cats originate from Russia. The long coat protects against both heat and cold and requires a lot of grooming. Cats are social, seek affection and enjoy talking to their owners.
9. Bengal – hypoallergenic cat
A Bengal is easily recognised by its special coat, which looks like a miniature tiger. The Bengal cat is as loyal to your family as a tiger is to its herd. A Bengal cat is ideal for families who want a social cat at home. It is very talkative and likes to talk to its family members.
The shimmering coat is beautiful to look at and the cat is more hypoallergenic than many other felines. However, it is more recommended for those who have a mild cat allergy. It is therefore a good idea to try out a Bengal cat.
Cat allergies do not imply that cat ownership should be entirely avoided.
Even if you have cat allergies, you do not have to live in a cat-free environment.
In addition to owning a hypoallergenic cat, you can use medicinal and non-medical methods to ease the symptoms of cat allergies.
Having a cat in the house is pure delight, and you don’t want to deprive yourself of that.
Follow the advice in this article and you’ll be ready to welcome a friendly feline into your home.
Adopting a cat from an animal shelter is also an excellent option if you’re looking for a new pet!
And, when your pet arrives home with you, make sure you properly protect them with a pet insurance coverage.
Prudent Pet provides pet insurance policies that will fully cover your pet and allow you to obtain medical treatment for your pet whenever it is required.
Summary
The best cat for allergy sufferers is the one that suits all your needs and does not provoke any allergy. Depending on your allergy, you may need to see different cat breeds to find one you do not react to. This is because everyone reacts differently when they meet different cats, even those that are more allergy-friendly. However, the most hypoallergenic cat is the sphynx, which is suitable for most people. If you’re thinking of getting a hypoallergenic dog instead, read more about hypoallergenic dog breeds in our article.
As well as choosing a hypoallergenic cat, it’s also important to choose a cat that suits your personality. Maybe you want a reserved cat or an attention-seeking and playful cat. Choosing the right breed of cat is important for both you and the hypoallergenic cat to thrive.
Cat allergies often manifest themselves in symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, runny eyes and rashes. Regardless of which hypoallergenic cat breeds you are interested in, it is important to clean and air out your home frequently to keep it as clean as possible from cat allergens. Brush and bathe your cat often, give it adequate grooming and wash your hands after touching your cat.