Hypoallergenic Cats Are cats which cause no allergies
and they don’t exist. Some though, are said to be less allergenic than others so here we focus on the good news – the least likely cat breeds to cause your allergies trouble with a little story at the end to give you hope of being cat allergy free. Cat allergies can be a serious problem and have a major impact on people’s lives – if you can’t live with a cat and your partner can’t live without one… Or you have good friends with cats and you are prone to Anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening. These are real issues and this page a simple attempt to bring useful information to those seeking information about hypoallergenic cats.
First, to dispel a common misconception, it is not the cats’ hair that causes the allergic reaction. The science on this is that it is an enzyme in the mouth called fel d 1 (also spelled Fel D 1) that is spread to the fur and just about everywhere else through grooming, shedding, petting,rubbing and probably other means. Those cats said to be hyperallergenic, or at least less allergenic have physical characteristics which minimize the allergenic component. We give the list of the seven considered by most to be the most hypoallergenic cats, along with what it is about that breed that contributes to this. These are:
- Balanese
- Oriental shorthair
- Siberian
- Corninsh Rex
- Devon Rex
- Javanese
- Russian Blue
The Balinese cat, which looks like a longhair Siamese is said to have less of the itch causing enzyme and is known to be a low shedder. This breed is at the top of most lists for hypoallergenic cats.
The short, silky fur of the Oriental Shorthair helps keep allergy elements for the Oriental Shorthair down.
This cat does well with a regular, gentle brushing to keep the coat healthy and dandruff away.
If this cat deserves the reputation it has for being less hypoallergenic it is certainly not owing to its fur, which is a triple coat and very thick. So it must be that, as is suspected, the Siberian simply produces less of the hyperallergenic enzyme, fel d 1 for it is constently listed as among the hypoallergenic cats.
Some people believe the short, wavy coat of the Cornish Rex doesn’t tend to shed as much dander as longhaired cats or cats with dense coats. That seems unlikely, however Rex cats only have a fine undercoat and no topcoat at all so there is much less shedding.
This is another of the highly recommended breeds for people with allergies. Like the Cornish Rex, this wavy coat doesn’t tend to shed much, which minimizes the spread of allergens.
Javanese cats don’t have an undercoat so they shed much less which is why they are often on various hypoallergenic cats lists. They were created by crossing the Balinese with a color point shorthair creating a cat a lot like the Balinese and the Siamese, at least to the untrained eye.
The Russian Blue has a thick, lush coat but for whatever reasons it doesn’t shed much so may be a good cat for someone mildly allergic to try.
It is possible for cat hair allergies to vanish and for you to no longer need to find hypoallergenic cats. Here is a story which may inspire you to take on your allergies and learn to live with cats.