The struggle is real for many cat lovers who are, unfortunately, allergic to these furry and loveable creatures. Maybe you fall into this category and have tried to cope by taking antihistamines or have a specialized HEPA air filter installed in your home. Did you know that cats can be hypoallergenic? Cat lovers with allergies can rejoice by adopting one of these cute and cuddly breeds.
Certain feline breeds are considered “hypoallergenic” or “low allergy” cats. They are classified as such because they produce fewer allergens than other breeds. The leading cause of allergies with cats is found in the pet dander they produce. However, the other culprit for the estimated 10 percent of the population that suffer from cat allergies is due to a protein, Fel d 1, that is present in cat saliva.
Hypoallergenic cats are not completely allergy free (unfortunately) as all cats produce some amount of dander. This makes it impossible to have a cat that is completely non-allergenic. The good news is that there are specific breeds that produce less dander overall and therefore make excellent cats for those that have allergies.
Here are the lucky breeds that are recommended for people that want to adopt a feline companion but are limited due to their allergies.
- Siberian Forest Cat
These lovely kitties are a larger breed. They weigh somewhere between 17 and 26 pounds and tend to be a bit heavier and bigger than most other breeds. Their coat is long and heavy and comes in a variety of colors. They produce a lower level of the Fel d 1 protein that causes many allergies and is usually an affectionate and intelligent breed making them a great option for pet owners.
- Balinese
A sister breed to the Siamese, these beautiful cats look very similar with the obvious differences being in overall coat length is longer as well as in their fluffy, plume tail. They are an excellent breed for those with allergens because they have minimal shedding and produce a lower level of the Fel d 1 protein. The coat is silky and soft, and their lovely blue eyes are highly praised. They can live long lives (anywhere from 18 to 22 years) and apart from the eyes becoming cross eyed in the later years, the breed is known for not containing any serious physical defects. Balinese are fond of speaking and interacting with their humans and are very intelligent. They tend to be high energy and have an overall good nature. This kitty you can love for years to come.
- Bengal House Cat
These impressive cats are a medium to a large sized cat with a striking resemblance to their more feral ancestors. They are very quiet and stealthy but very muscular and athletic. They have a lush, dense coat with unique spots that harken back to their leopard predecessors. Because of their wild lineage, Bengals are often mistaken to be difficult to handle, although the reverse is the truth. It is not a lap cat but it thoroughly enjoys human company and will stay in close proximity to its family. They love children due to their fondness for games. They are a high-energy breed that requires a lot of play time and are one of the few breeds that tend to enjoy the water.
- Burmese
Probably one of the most people-oriented cats, they love to follow their owners around and are very affectionate. They have either a brown coat or a brighter red coat which makes them unique in appearance. They are very comfortable anywhere and are amusing to watch. They are extremely playful and have a love of food.
- Russian Blue
Russian Blues are very handsome and generally long, slender and medium sized. It has a double coat which is generally shiny, silky and plush. Their fur is bright blue and lavender at the base which give way to the top coat which is tipped in silver. It also has a characteristic “smile” due to its slightly upturned mouth which makes them an amusing and curious looking breed. They are well behaved and easy to train. It has no issue entertaining itself but it will be very happy to see you when you arrive (not unlike dogs) and they get along with everyone and are very social. They are extremely empathetic and will even go to the extent of patting the face of a sad person to cheer them up.
These are some of the most popular, but there are many other breeds considered to be hypoallergenic. If you want to check them out they are:
- Colorpoint Shorthair
- Cornish Rex
- Devon Rex
- Javanese
- Ocicat
- Oriental Shorthair
- Siamese
- Sphynx
Here at 2 Paws Up Inc Pet Sitting, Dog Walking, and Dog Training, have assisted our clients while they were away with cat sitting just a few of these types of cats. If we can assist you with pet sitting or answer any cat related questions, we are here to help. Give us a call 770-695-3096, or email me barbie@2pawsupinc.com. I would love to know what hypoallergenic cat you have. Share a picture on our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/2pawsuppetsitting. We all love pictures and videos of kitties.
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