Published Sep 11, 2021
You are a cat lover, right? But you also have a problem with allergies. Felines produce dander which is a common allergen and that’s at the root of the problem. According to aafa.org, in the United States alone, It is estimated that as many as 3 in ten pet parents with allergies have allergic reactions to cats.
What Cat Breeds Are Hypoallergenic?
Did you know that there are no 100% hypoallergenic cats? Some cat breeds, however, that produce less allergens come pretty close to the mentioned figure. Let’s take a look at those hypoallergenic breeds and who knows, we might be able to help you find your perfect feline friend.
#1 Sphynx Cat
Origin:
Height:
Adult Weight:
Life Span:
Group:
Medium-sized hairless
Price:
$1800-$3000
The Sphynx cat is unique due to its hairless look. Sphynx cats have no fur, so there is no way for the allergenic proteins in the cat’s saliva to get trapped in it. However, cat dander comes from the saliva, so even the hairless Sphynx can irritate allergic reactions. Don’t forget that these felines require special care, so before you get one, you should be well informed on what that involves.
#2 Cornish Rex
Origin:
Height:
Adult Weight:
Life Span:
Group:
Small to medium-sized shorthair
Price:
$800-$1,300
This one has quite a special kind of fur. While the majority of cats’ fur is arranged in three layers (top, middle, and bottom hair) the Cornish Rex only has a bottom undercoat of down hair which means that they are quite soft and a lot less hairy than the rest of their cousins. Shedding less hair means a lower risk of causing an allergic reaction.
Considering that they only have one layer of hair, they are less likely to cause a problem with allergy. These cats are widely considered as one of best small hypoallergenic cat breeds around.
#3 Devon Rex
Origin:
Height:
Adult Weight:
Life Span:
Group:
Small to medium-sized shorthair
Price:
$600-$2,000
Just like its cousin Cornish, the Devon Rex also has the same coat type and that is the soft down hair used to make up most cats’ undercoats. To make things even better, Devon Rex has even less hair than the Cornish Rex, so it sheds even less. Therefore, that low risk of having an allergic reaction just decreased even more.
#4 Oriental
Origin:
Height:
Adult Weight:
Life Span:
Group:
Medium-sized short-haired
Price:
$400-$2000
Oriental Shorthairs have fine, short coat and they shed very little. The best thing you can do here is to brush it on a regular basis, so that you remove any loose hairs and further reduce the amount of hair it drops. Oriental cats aren’t as efficient as the cats we mentioned before allergies-wise, but that is no reason to overlook it. It still is a hypoallergenic cat breed.
#5 Russian Blue
Origin:
Height:
Adult Weight:
Life Span:
Group:
Medium-sized short-haired
Price:
$1000 - $1700
Russian Blues don’t possess any special coat qualities that set them apart from others, but they do produce less Fel d1 (the protein that cats secrete from their skin which triggers allergies). The Russian Blue is also well-known for its “smile”.
It has a slightly upturned mouth and many compare it to the enigmatic Mona Lisa smile. The Russian Blue is widely regarded as a calm cat breed that is a bit of a loner, but only in the sense that it can enjoy itself even if you leave it home alone for the day. It will be happy to see you when you arrive, though!
#6 Balinese
Origin:
Height:
Adult Weight:
Life Span:
Group:
Small to medium-sized longhair
Price:
$1,000 - $1,500
The Balinese cat is similar to the Russian Blue when it comes to hypoallergenic tendencies. The Balinese cat also produces less Fel d1 which means that they are less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
The Balinese is also known for its remarkable intelligence and high energy. This cats gets along well both with humans and animals which can only be a good thing.
#7 Siberian Cat
Origin:
Height:
Adult Weight:
Life Span:
Group:
Medium to large long-haired
Price:
$1000-$2000
You are probably wondering why we put the Siberian cat here because it has a long coat. Yes, it has a stunning long coat, but just like the Russian Blue and Balinese, this cat’s skin produces less Fel d1 than most other breeds and that’s why it is considered hypoallergenic.
It is a large cat with a lush double coat, but it is hypoallergenic, so you don’t have to worry.
Beware!
Remember that we aren’t the only ones who can develop allergies. Our (not so) furry friends can develop them too. And that usually happens because of foods full of additives, fleas, flea-control products etc.
Go for all natural pet food, and opt for natural cat products or if you want to minimize the risk of your cat developing allergies. We hope you enjoyed our article on the best hypoallergenic cat breeds that don’t shed.
We also recommend to check out Parcelpet’s article “Discover: Best cat food for sensitive stomachs” for more info. We hope that your problem is solved now. You now know which cat breeds are less likely to cause an allergic reaction, but be sure to check everything with your doctor first. Just know that hypoallergenic doesn’t translate to 100% dander or Fel d1 free!
