Allergies can be a struggle in many households. Unfortunately, many families feel like they cannot have pets because someone in the household struggles with allergies. Looking for the best hypoallergenic cat breeds?
These breeds are perfect for any family – even those with the worst allergies. There is a breed for every household.
- Sphynx Cats
- Siberian Cats
- Bengal Cats
- Cornish Rex Cats
- Devon Rex Cats
- Siamese Cats
- Javanese Cats
- Oriental Shorthair Cats
- Russian Blue Cats
According to the Mayo Clinic, pet allergies can cause a variety of different serious health symptoms.
Symptoms of pet allergies can include sneezing, coughing, runny nose, irritated eyes, congestion, and facial pressure. These symptoms can be inconvenient and detrimental. They can cause people to lose sleep, become irritable, and even miss out on school, work, and family obligations.
Pet allergies are directly related to the dander from the pet in many cases. Cats that have less dander will be less likely to irritate people who have allergies.
Read on to learn more about each of the following allergy friendly cat breeds.
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9 Best Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds
Some people choose to deal with cat allergies by taking antihistamines and using air filters. Other people choose to live without any pets at all. Cat lovers know that living without a furry friend is just not an option.
Breeds like Sphynx cats and oriental shorthair cats produce less dander than other breeds of cat. People with serious allergies may still be irritated by trace amounts of allergens released. It is important to note that there is no breed of cat that is 100% allergy friendly.
There are also other causes for cat allergies. In addition to dander, people can be allergic to compounds in cat saliva, urine, and more. In general, these breeds are considered allergy friendly because they do not release as much dander, not because of these factors.
Sphynx Cats
The Sphynx cat is a hairless breed of cat. They are known for having a genetic mutation that causes a lack of fur. Because Sphynx cats have a lack of fur, they also lack dander when compared to other breeds of cats.
Sphynx cats generally weigh between 6 and 12 pounds. They can live between 8 to 14 years on average. Sphynx Cats can be expensive to adopt but they are playful, loyal, and allergy friendly.
Siberian Cats
Siberian cats are typically big and fluffy. For this reason, it might be surprising that they can be allergy friendly cats. Many people report that they are able to live comfortably with Siberian cats even if they have allergies.
The breed has a history over 1000 years old, originally beginning in Russia. On average, they weigh between 12 and 15 pounds. Siberian cats usually live to be at least 8 to years of age.
Bengal Cats
Bengal cats are an especially beautiful and unique looking breed. They are known for their gorgeous spotted patterns. They are also known for being more hypoallergenic than other cat breeds.
Bengal cats do not typically have too many health issues. They typically live for at least 9 to 15 years. They are medium to large sized cats, weighing an average of 8 to 15 pounds.
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Cornish Rex Cats
Cornish Rex cats only have one layer of fur, called the down layer. Other cats have three layers of fur. Each layer of fur contains dander.
Because Cornish Rex cats have fewer layers of fur, they also release less dander into the air. Cornish Rex cats are known for their longevity. They commonly live to be at least 15 to even 20 years of age.
Devon Rex Cats
Devon Rex cats are short haired, with large, tall ears. Because they are a short haired breed, they will release less dander than medium or long haired breeds. Keeping the Siberian Cat in mind, however, this is not a steadfast rule.
Devon Rex cats are known for being active, energetic, loving, and playful. They make great companions for all people, even people with mild allergies.
Siamese Cats
Anyone who has a mild to moderate cat allergy may be able to live comfortably with Siamese cats. They are not the most hypoallergenic breed, but they are a good option for many households.
Siamese cats originally come from Asia. They are known for their unique coloring, with dark tails and faces. These cats are known for being sociable and friendly cats. They are great for households with children.
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Javanese Cats
A Javanese cat is a long haired breed, but still is considered allergy friendly. They come from Siamese cats, which are also included on this list. They are smaller cats, typically weighing 5 to 9 pounds.
Oriental Shorthair Cats
Oriental shorthair cats are known for their large ears that stick out and to the sides. They are sociable and affectionate cats. They are also good with other dogs and cats in many instances.
Russian Blue Cats
Russian Blue cats are perfect for people with mild to moderate allergies. They do not shed as much as other cat breeds, which makes them more allergy friendly. They are loyal and sweet animals. They are also known as Archangel cats.
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Wrap Up
Hope that this guide helps to introduce you to breeds of cats that are less likely to irritate people who have allergies.
There is no limitation to just one breed of the cat when looking for a hypoallergenic breed. Shelters and breeders usually also have allergy friendly cats available. These cats are just as fun and loving as other breeds.
Cat allergies can be a problem. The solution is not having a cat free household.
