Cat allergies; many people in the world have them, and it is not an uncommon disease. People allergic to cats usually do not own them for this reason, but some of them still wish to own a cat without having to sneeze every 2 seconds.
A fun fact about cat allergies is that people are not allergic to their cats’ fur, but in reality, cat allergies are caused due to a protein present in the cat’s saliva, dander, and fur. This protein can bind to receptors in the body cells and causes them to become inflamed. This is what causes people to be allergic to cats.
A cat with the minimum amount of protein in its saliva and dander is called Hypoallergenic, which means that a hypoallergenic cat is least likely to cause an allergic reaction towards sensitive groups.
This article discusses some of those hypoallergenic cats and their attributes and temperaments, etc.
1- The Sphynx
An obvious choice for people allergic to cats is The Sphynx. The sphynx is one of the few cat breeds born without hair or very little hair on their skins. But unlike other breeds, the sphynx is hairless because of a recessive gene that caused it to lose all of its hair, which significantly reduced its chances of causing allergies. This cat is high in popularity among people who are allergic to cats due to this exact attribute.
Sphynx cats are very calm-tempered and will always show affection towards their owners. They are lap cats and will probably doze off sometimes while cuddled next to you. They get cold easily, so they prefer staying close to humans as a source of warmth, which causes them to be kind and loving all the time.
2- Russian Blue
Russian Blues may seem like they may activate allergic reactions for people allergic to cats, but that is surprisingly not the case. The Russian Blue has a short hair coat. It does not have high levels of the allergy-inducing protein called Fel d1 in its saliva or dander, so it is a perfect pet for people who are allergic to cats.
It is a very calm-tempered breed, and it is quite large compared to other breeds. It is very affectionate towards other people besides their owner. They do not shed a lot of furs and only shed their coats once or twice a year based on the season. They are not very feisty, so small families with children love this pet.
3- Cornish Rex
Many cats have three layers of fur on their coats, a ‘Guard’ hair on the top, an ‘Awn’ hair on the middle, and a ‘Down’ hair on the bottom. However, the Cornish Rex possesses only the down coat and sheds less hair than other cat breeds. They have less hair than other breeds, but it is not hairless, so it is another excellent option for people allergic to cats.
The Cornish Rex is a breed that is known to be very clingy and affectionate. They are not the type of cat you can leave alone at home since they are known to be explorers and like to discover every nook and cranny in the house. So it is essential to set up child locks on fragile things along with closets and cupboards if you do not want to come home to shredded clothes and broken dishes.
4- Devon Rex
This cat is also perfect for those allergic to cats. It is pretty similar to the Cornish Rex and has a somewhat identical down coat. The only difference is that the coat of the Devon Rex is softer than the Cornish Rex’s and has fewer curls. They do not shed more than the Cornish Rex, so they are suitable for many people.
They are very playful and goofy cats, and Devon Rex cats will try to put a smile on their owner’s face by doing funny tricks and will always act like a clown. They are an active breed, so people allergic to cats would not regret getting this cat, and there would never be a dull moment with a Devon Rex.
5- Siberian
It may sound surprising to see this cat breed on this list because, unlike the other breeds mentioned here, The Siberian has a thick and long coat and tends to shed quite some hair, and it would be a lot of hair compared to other hypoallergenic breeds.
But as quoted previously in this article, cat allergies do not arise due to cat fur but rather a protein in a cat’s saliva. This same logic applies to the Siberian and studies show that this cat has a very low level of Fel d1, the protein that causes these allergies in the first place.
They are quite playful cats and tend to mature very slowly, both psychologically and physically. Some studies have shown that these cats spend almost 5 years of their lives acting like kittens. They are very affectionate, so people allergic to cats will not be busy sneezing while showering a Siberian with hugs and kisses.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you may stop buying cat allergy medicine if you are allergic to cats. But if you don’t know about cat allergy symptoms, it would be best to consult with a doctor before adopting a cat and find out whether or not you are allergic to cats.
This article talked about the five best cats for allergies. Still, if your body is too sensitive to Fel d1, then maybe you won’t be able to overcome your allergy to cats. This list talks about the 5 best cat breeds for people allergic to cats, but keep in mind that not every hypoallergenic cat may be the one for you. You should only adopt a cat if you genuinely feel a connection with them.
