It is a ubiquitous question that should I get allergic to my cat? While a person has cat allergies, he goes for adopting a cat with fewer allergies. Hypoallergenic cats are mostly chosen by many persons who have direct or indirect allergies from cats or cat products. Cats produce a considerable amount of allergens from their body secretions, fur, droppings, and saliva. Many cats are affected by a fungal disease, dandruff, and external parasites.
Sources of Allergens in Cats
Ideally, complete hypoallergenic cats are very rare or impossible. But you can choose a breed of cat that produce fewer allergens. The allergens are a protein that remains in the dropping of catlike saliva, fur, urine, dander, skin scrapings, and other droppings. While you come in contact with these proteins or allergens, allergic reactions may appear in your body.
Hypoallergenic Cats: Symptoms of Cat Allergies
If you are allergic to cats and come in contact with cat or cat droppings, you may show the following signs or symptoms:
- Itching in the skin.
- Sneezing.
- Coughing.
- Runny nose and eyes.
- Redness of the skin at the point of scratch or licks.
- In severe cases, difficult breathing and bronchial asthma.
Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds
The pure, hypoallergenic cat breeds are impossible. The cats that produce less allergic protein shed less hair, and having less fur is hypoallergenic than others. The hypoallergenic cat breeds are described bellow shortly for your easy understanding.
1. Hypoallergenic Cats: Siberian
Siberian is a medium-sized, short-haired cat breed originated in Siberia, Russia. After 1980 the standard kind developed for all parts of the world. The breed produces less allergic protein and shed in their dropping. Siberian is one of the popular hypoallergenic cat breeds. They have three layers of fur which protect them from extreme cold.
2. Sphynx Cat
Sphynx is the first hairless cat breeds of the world. They are hypoallergenic because the allergic protein from saliva and skin does not stay on the fur. You will require less grooming than other cat breeds. But at the same time, you will need more time for bathing and cleaning of long ears to remove gummy skins. They are passionate, playful, intelligent, and exceptional.
3. Hypoallergenic Cats: Russian Blue
Russian blue is another hypoallergenic cat that sheds less hair than other breeds. They produce less glycoprotein Fed d-1 with their droppings (saliva, fur, dander, and urine). Russian blue cats are naturally found in Russia. They are intelligent, passionate, playful, sparkling, silvery coat, and brilliant green eyes make them excellent house pets. They have two layers of dense coat, which traps more allergens. That is why the breed considered hypoallergenic.
4. Javanese Cat
Javanese is a medium-sized single-layered cat breed that is more similar to Siamese cats. They are less louder than the Siamese. As they have a single layer of hair and no undercoat, they shed fewer allergens than others. They are highly playful, intelligent, and communication skills. They burn more energies due to their playfulness. They are hypoallergenic and excellent house pets.
5. Hypoallergenic Cats: Devon Rex
Devon Rex is another Rex cat breeds that have dog-like behavior. This cat wat to go with you wherever you go outside. They have large impish eyes, oversized ears, and elfin faces. They are sporty, lovely, adorable, and passionate cat breeds. They have short hairs that shed very little. That is why it another hypoallergenic cat breed. Devon Rex requires less bathing, grooming, and cat care. If you have any allergic problems related to cats, you can choose Devon Rex at your passionate pet.
6. Cornish Rex Cat
Cornish Rex is a short-haired soft cat breed originated in Northern England. The breed does not have any long outer coat—that why it sheds fewer hairs. The breeds are considered hypoallergenic cats as they shed fewer allergens through hairs. They are an energetic, acrobatic, and athletic body. The average weight is 3-6 kg. Cornish Rex is an excellent house pet and lovely to kids and children.
7. Hypoallergenic Cats: Oriental Shorthair
Oriental Shorthair has short, fine hairs that shed very little. Moreover, regular grooming will reduce the dander from the body coat. Oriental shorthair is a highly playful, active, and friendly cat that you can adopt in your house.
9. Balinese Cat
Balinese is one of the Long-haired Siamese cat breeds. The cat breed is well known as hypoallergenic as they produce less allergic protein Fed D1 in their saliva. So their fur carries less allergen. You can choose this breed for your house pet if you are an allergic patient and cat lover.
10. Hypoallergenic Cats: Bengal Cat
The Bengal cat requires less maintenance for their coat. That’s why they spread less allergic protein in their fur and body parts, which makes him/her hypoallergenic. They shed fewer fur in their environment and box. They also produce less allergic protein Fed D 1 in their saliva.
11. LaPerm Cat
LaPerm is a small cat with an excellent sense of humor. The unique characteristics of LaPerm are the curly coat that sheds very little. Moreover, the wavy coat inhibits the spreading of fur, dander, and other allergens in the environment. They are playful, friendly to children, and easy-going cat breeds and well suited for house pets.
12. Hypoallergenic Cats: Colorpoint Shorthair
Colorpoint is a medium-sized, long, and elegant cat breed. Colorpoint shorthairs are highly attractive due to their blue almond-shaped eyes. They are highly intelligent, playful, and friendly cats. Due to the presence of long hair, they shed very little in the environment. They also considered hypoallergenic.
13. Siamese Cat
Siamese are the most popular cat breeds in Europe and America. It is one of the first recognized Asian cat breeds in the world, originated in China. They are characterized by almond-shaped blue colored eyes, large ears, triangular heads, elongated and muscular body, and short beautiful hair coats. Siamese considered hypoallergenic as they shed few furs. They are social, affectionate, and intelligent cats suitable for house pets.
14. Hypoallergenic Cats: Burmese
The Burmese cat is a short-haired, medium-sized cat breed originated in Burma (Myanmar), specifically the Thai-Burmese border. The breed developed in the United States and Britain by cross-breeding with the Siamese cat. The cat produced less allergen and known to be hypoallergenic. The cat is brilliant, playful, and has dog-like characteristics.
15. Ocicat Cat
Ocicat is the only Leopard-like cat breed. They look like a wild cat but very passionate as a domestic pet. They are similar to Bengal cats. The breed developed from Abyssinian, Siamese, and American Shorthair cats in the United States of America in 1964. Ocicat is now available all over the world and famous for its wild look. You can train them like dogs to sit and lie down on command. They are also considered hypoallergenic cats.
Concluding Remarks
Hypoallergenic cats are the choice of many pet lovers. As a pet lover, you will not like a cat by whom you will become sick. In the above discussion, I have listed and briefly describes 15 most popular hypoallergenic cats for your choice. The cats are hypoallergenic by producing less allergic protein Fed D1, shedding less fur, or spreading less saliva by licking. I think this article will help you to choose the best house pet.