My cousin, Angie is a big cat lover! She has been her whole life. Unfortunately, her husband is allergic to cats. Every time she would see a pic of one of our kitties, she would get so jealous. She is started investigating to find out if there is such a thing as a hypo-allergenic cat. This is what she found out.
No cat breed can be completely hypo-allergenic. But, some breeds are way more hypo-allergenic than others. Contrary to popular belief, it is not always the fur that makes people feel sneezy and itchy. It is a protein known as Fel D1 that actually causes these symptoms. When a cat licks the coat, the saliva gets dried and becomes airborne. Some cats produce less protein, and they’re known as hypoallergenic cats. Such cats are ideal for people with allergies.
Top 6 Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds for People with Allergies
1. Bengal- These hypoallergenic cats have become very popular in the last few years because of their outgoing personalities and huge presence. They also shed less than most breeds. They produce less Fel Di and their owners with allergies say they rarely trigger them.
2. Balinese- These sweet and smart kitties resemble a longhaired Siamese. They are very chatty and love to communicate vocally. Just like the Bengal, they produce less Fel Di than most breeds.
3. Javanese- These playful and responsive kitties lack an undercoat which means less fur. They are very devoted and are known for their communication skills.
4. Cornish Rex- These active and inquisitive kitties only have a down layer of hair. They require more upkeep than the above mentioned cats. They need cats frequent baths are required to mitigate oil buildup on their skin. Their lack of shedding a playful temperament makes them very popular.
5. Sphynx- Sphynx is also considered a hypoallergenic cat breed because the Sphynx are hairless. This doesn’t mean that they’re maintenance-free. To remove the buildup of oils from ears and skin, frequent baths are required. Due to their animated nature, these cats are kids friendly. They entertain their owners in many different ways. They love humans and are very devoted.
6. Siberian These cats have a moderately long coat like Balinese, but still, Siberian cats are hypoallergenic. They contain lower than average protein levels in their saliva. Siberian cats are affectionate, and they love to play. They also have a fascination with water. They are very agile and great jumpers.
I am happy to say to my cousin, Angie did get her hypoallergenic kitty. She rescued a 2-year-old Bengal and named her Nala. Nala is happy living in her new forever home.