Hypoallergenic cat breeds

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 13 February 2021
Update Date: 5 November 2024
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Top 10 Best Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds
Video: Top 10 Best Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds

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Approximately 30% of the population suffers from cat allergy and dogs, especially in relation to cats. However, being allergic to one or more animals does not mean that the affected person's body reacts as a result of the presence of the cat, dog, etc., but rather from proteins found in the animals' urine, hair or saliva, known as allergens.

According to some studies, 80% of people allergic to cats are allergic to Fel D1 protein, produced in the saliva, skin and some organs of the animal. Thus, despite the mistaken belief of many, it is not the cat's fur that causes the allergy, although the allergen can accumulate in it after the cat has cleaned itself. Likewise, if you are part of the 80% mentioned above, but you love these furry friends and would love to be able to live with one of them, be aware that there are a number of hypoallergenic cat breeds that produce a smaller amount of allergens, as well as a series of very effective techniques to prevent allergic reactions. Continue reading this PeritoAnimal article and find out which cats are hypoallergenic or antiallergic, and all our advice.


Hypoallergenic cats

Constant sneezing, nasal congestion, eye irritation... sound familiar? These are the main symptoms of cat allergy that affected people experience after contact with the feline. However, as mentioned above, the cause of the immune response is not the animal's hair, but the Fel D1 protein. This protein can accumulate in the cat's fur after cleaning it and even be distributed throughout the house through fallen dead hair.

Likewise, the feline expels this protein through the urine, therefore dealing with the sandbox it can also cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, reducing the allergic reaction is possible by following a series of guidelines that we will detail later in this article, as well as adopting a hypoallergenic cat.

What are hypoallergenic cats?

There are no 100% hypoallergenic cats. The fact that a feline is considered to be hypoallergenic, or an anti-allergic cat, does not mean that it does not cause an allergic reaction. produces a lower amount of the Fel D1 protein or that the characteristics of its fur make it distribute it in smaller amounts and, therefore, reduce the immune response.


However, this is not a definitive theory, as each body is different and it may happen that a hypoallergenic cat breed does not provoke any reaction in one allergic person, but in another one. In this way, it is possible that some of the cats affect you more than others and therefore reviewing our list will not be enough; you should also keep in mind our final recommendations.

Other factors to consider

In addition to checking the breed of the animal or its lineage, if you are looking for an undefined cat (or stray), you can take into account the following factors that reduce the production of the allergen:

  • As the production of Fel D1 protein is carried out through the stimulation of a series of hormones, testosterone being one of the main stimulants, the neutered male cats they produce less of this allergen because their testosterone levels are reduced.
  • Another of the main stimulants of this protein is progesterone, a hormone produced by the cat during the period of ovulation and pregnancy. So, the castrated cats also have their amount of Fel D1 reduced.

Neutering your cat will not only reduce your body's immune response if you are allergic, it will also provide many health benefits for the pussy. We explain everything to you in this article: neutering cats - advantages, price and recovery.


Below, we present our list with 10 hypoallergenic cat breeds and we explain the details of each one.

Siberian cat, the most recommended

Although the Siberian cat is characterized by having a dense and long coat, a fact that may lead us to think that it is more likely to accumulate more allergens, the truth is that it is considered the most suitable cat for allergic people. This is because it is the feline breed that produces the least amount of the Fel D1 protein.

However, as we talked about in the previous section, adopting a Siberian cat does not guarantee 100% disappearance of allergic reactions, since the reduced amount of allergen it produces can be perfectly tolerated by some allergy sufferers and rejected by others.

In addition to being a very beautiful feline, the Siberian is a loving, docile and loyal cat, who loves to spend long hours with his human companions and play. Of course, due to the characteristics of its coat, it is advisable brush the fur frequently to prevent the formation of knots and tangles.

Balinese cat

As with the Siberian cat, despite having a long coat, the Balinese cat, too produces less Fel D1 than other breeds of cats and therefore the allergic reaction to it may be reduced. Also known as long-haired Siamese, it does not require much care with the maintenance of the coat, except for two to three weekly brushings to avoid the formation of knots and tangles.

Likewise, your friendly, playful and faithful personality, make him the perfect companion for those who want to spend long hours with their feline, since the Balinese usually cannot bear to be alone at home or share the company of their human.

bengal cat

Considered one of the most beautiful felines for its wild appearance and intense look, the Bengal cat is another of the best cat breeds for allergy sufferers, for the same reason as the previous ones: the levels you have of the protein that causes the allergy are lower.

Besides having an extraordinary beauty, the Bengal cat is very curious, playful and active. If you're not willing to spend hours playing with your furry companion, or if you're looking for a more independent feline, we recommend you keep looking, because the Bengal cat needs to live with a person who can supply all its needs and doses of daily activity. Likewise, although it is a feline that normally does not have health problems, it needs to be given a proper attention to your ears, as it tends to produce a greater amount of wax.

devon rex cat

Although many tend to think that devon rex is on the list of cats for allergy sufferers because it has a shorter coat than others, it should be noted that fur is not the cause of cat allergy, but the protein Fel D1 and, like the previous ones, this cat is on the list for producing it in lesser quantity. At the same time, the devon rex is one of the cats that sheds the least, so the small amount of allergen that can accumulate in them is less likely to spread throughout the house.

Affectionate and very affectionate, the devon rex can't tolerate being at home alone for many hours, so it requires the frequent company of your human to be a happy cat. Likewise, their ears are more prone to excessive wax production than those of other feline breeds and therefore need more attention.

javanese cat

The Javanese cat, also known as the oriental longhair cat, is another hypoallergenic cat on our list, that is, it produces fewer allergens. Unlike the bengal cat and the devon rex, the Javanese is a more independent feline and does not require frequent human companionship. In this way, it is an ideal breed of cat for allergy sufferers and also for people who, for work or other reasons, need to spend a few hours outside the home but want to share their life with a feline. Of course, it is essential to remember that in no case is it recommended to leave the animal alone at home for more than 12 hours.

oriental shorthair cat

This feline is exactly the same as the previous one, as the only difference between them is the length of its coat. Thus, the oriental shorthair is also part of the list of cats that do not cause allergies because they produce less allergens. However, it is always advisable brush it regularly to prevent the shedding of dead hair and therefore the diffusion of the protein.

russian blue cat

Thanks to thick two-layered coat that this feline has, the Russian blue cat has been considered one of the best cats for allergy sufferers, not only because it produces fewer allergens, but also because it keeps them closer to its skin and less from human contact. Thus, in addition to secreting the Fel D1 protein in smaller amounts, we could say that it practically does not spread it around the house.

Cornish Rex, Laperm and Siamese Cats

Both the cornish rex, the Siamese cat and the laperm are not felines that produce less of the Fel D1 protein, but lose less hair than other cat breeds and therefore are also considered to be hypoallergenic cats. It is worth remembering that, although the main cause of allergy is not the hair itself, the allergen accumulates in the animal's skin and coat, spreading throughout the house when the hair falls out or in the form of dandruff.

Therefore, cats with thicker or curly coats like these are less likely to spread the protein. In these cases, before adopting one of these cats for allergy sufferers, we recommend making a first contact and observing whether or not a allergic reaction. If after a few hours nothing happens, or the reactions are so mild that the person in question feels he can tolerate them, the adoption can be ended.

It is very important to make sure you are adopting the right cat, as a mistake can not only mean the loss of a companion for the allergic person, it can also have emotional consequences very serious for the animal. Likewise, for people with very serious allergies to cats, we do not recommend the option for these cats.

Sphynx cat, appearances can be deceiving...

No, despite being on this list, the sphynx is not a suitable cat for allergy sufferers. So why are we highlighting it? Very simple, because because of their lack of fur, many people with cat allergies believe they can adopt a sphynx and not suffer the consequences, and nothing is further from the truth.

Remember that the cause of the allergy is not the hair, it is the Fel D1 protein that is produced in skin and saliva, mainly, and the sphynx generates the normal amount that can develop an allergic reaction. However, as we've mentioned in the previous sections, this doesn't mean that there aren't people allergic to cats who can tolerate this feline, but they will likely be a minority.

Advice for living with a cat if you are allergic

And if you already live with a cat that causes you allergies, but would like to know techniques to reduce your body's immune response, don't worry! While it's not the ideal situation, you should know you can. minimize allergic reactions following our advice. Likewise, these recommendations are also suitable if you are considering adopting one of the hypoallergenic cats:

  • keep your bedroom door closed. You should avoid as much as possible that your furry companion enters your room, to prevent him from spreading the allergen in all the corners and thus producing an allergic reaction in you during the night.
  • get rid of the rugs and similar household items as they tend to accumulate a lot of cat hair. Remember that although fur is not the cause, the feline can transfer the Fel D1 protein to the fur through saliva, and the fur may fall out on carpets.
  • Make sure someone else brushes your cat frequently to avoid shedding too much fur and thus spreading the allergen throughout the house.
  • As cats expel protein in their urine, your litter box must always be clean and, above all, you must avoid manipulating it.
  • Remember that neutered cats produce fewer allergens, so if yours hasn't had this operation, don't hesitate and talk to your veterinarian.
  • Lastly, if none of the above works, remember that there are medications that can significantly reduce allergic reactions. See your doctor for advice.

So, there's still some doubt about the hypoallergenic cats? Anyway, we recommend that you watch our video in which we take this question away: do anti-allergic cats really exist?. Don't miss:

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