There are several cat breeds in the world today. Among these breeds, some are considered hypoallergenic cat breeds.
It is reported by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) that cat allergies are about twice as common as dog allergies.
Hence, some people, especially those with allergies and asthma, opt for a hypoallergenic cat.
The question then is: what makes a cat hypoallergenic? Is there a hypoallergenic cat breed?
List of Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds
1. LaPerm
One of the hypoallergenic cat breeds out there is LaPerm. The LaPerm cats are medium-sized, weigh 6-12 pounds, and have 10-15 years of lifespan.
The cat gets its name from its curly coat. The coats can be springy curls or soft waves like the perm hairstyles humans rock.
LaPerm is a curious and hardworking cat, albeit it can be mischievous, too. They love the outdoors and would prefer to explore nature. Hence, they are not cuddly, clingy cats but enjoy occasional snuggling.
The cat is hypoallergenic because it produces a minimal amount of Fel d1, has low dander rates, and has a low shedding coat. All these attributes make them an excellent choice for people with allergies.
2. Javanese
The Japanese are small cats weighing 5-10 pounds and having a life span of 10-15 years. The cat is playful and Loves attention.
The Javanese cat resembles the Siamese cat and shares the same loquacious attributes as the Siamese. However, it is not as loud as the Siamese.
Their coat comes in various colors and never mats because they have less fur than many other breeds. They are also known to be one of the lowest shedding cat breeds since they don’t have an undercoat.
Hence, less shedding, fewer errant hair, and they spread fewer allergens. Regular grooming (brushing once a week) will also help minimize allergens.
3. Russian Blue
Russian blue is medium-sized and weighs 8-15 pounds with a life span of 15-20 years. The cat is not just among the hypoallergenic cat breeds but is also considered a beauty in the cat world.
The color of their blue-gray coat recognizes them, hence the name Russian Blue. They are born with blue eyes that later become a distinctive green as they enter adulthood. These cats are gentle, affectionate, brilliant, and often form strong bonds with their owners.
Russian blue cats have a luxurious, dense coat, which gives the cat a beautiful look. Nevertheless, the cat does not shed much. So there is less dander floating around. Grooming the cat regularly also goes a long way in minimizing shedding and allergens.
The cat also produces less Fel d1 protein known to cause reactions in allergic owners than other breeds, making them particularly suitable for people with mild cat allergies.
4. Siberian
As the name suggests, this cat is a natural breed from Siberia and is also considered the national cat of Russia. The Siberian cat is considered quite popular among hypoallergenic cat breeds.
The cats vary in size. They can be medium to large and weigh 8-17 pounds with a lifespan of 10-18 years. These cats are intelligent, social, gentle around children, and relate well with other pets.
They have very thick, glamorous coats in various colors and patterns. Their coat is an adaptive tool for the Siberian cold and mountainous regions. Grooming includes regular brushing at least twice a week. Despite their dense coat, they shed less than other cats.
Their cuddly, cute nature makes them a popular choice for cat lovers. Their low protein production ‘Fel d1‘ makes them an excellent choice for feline allergy lovers. Siberian cats are said to produce the lowest amount of allergens than breeds.
5. Oriental Shorthair
Oriental Shorthair is also among hypoallergenic cat breeds. The cats have an athletic build and are small-sized. They weigh 5-10 pounds and have a 13-14-year lifespan.
Oriental Shorthair cats are intelligent, social, loyal, and bond well with family members and pets. They are highly affectionate and are pretty clingy too.
As the name implies, this cat has a short coat. The coats are fine and silky to the touch. They are easy to care for and don’t shed too much. Regular brushing or rubbing them with a damp cloth can help to remove dead hair and dander to minimize allergens.
They are hypoallergenic because they produce less Fel d1, have a low shedding rate, and their short hair, as we mentioned earlier, makes them easy to maintain.
6. Sphynx
Also known as hairless cats, the cat is not entirely hairless. They have a fine, downy fuzz that feels almost suede-like when stroked.
The Sphynx is a medium-sized cat weighing 6-14 pounds with a life expectancy of 9-15 years. The cat is social, curious, and playful.
In terms of beauty, not many are fond of them aesthetically. After all, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Nevertheless, they are cute in their way, lively, and love cuddling.
They are thought to be one of the hypoallergenic cat breeds because they have almost non-existent hair. However, as we examined earlier in this article, hair is just a carrier of the allergic protein. The leading cause of the allergic reaction is the protein Fel d1 every cat produces.
The Sphynx’s lack of fur means fewer places for the Fel d1 irritating allergens to get stuck, and hence, it is a good choice for people with allergies since they don’t leave hair behind wherever they go.
Nevertheless, the cat still requires regular baths to keep oil buildup minimal. Bathing also helps minimize the amount of pet dander they produce.
7. Balinese
The Balinese cat breed came about as the result of a genetic mutation from the purebred Siamese. Hence, it is a long-haired Siamese variant. Like the Siamese, the Balinese cat loves to play and follow its owner.
It is affectionate, energetic, intelligent, and also vocal. The cat is medium-sized, weighs 8- 12 pounds, and has a life expectancy of 10-20 years.
The cat looks gorgeous, with a striking appearance that endears them to feline lovers. It has silky-smooth fur and bright blue eyes.
The fur comes in various colors like brown, red, tan, or cream with dark brown or black points. Although it’s a long-haired breed, it only has one layer of fur and rarely sheds. They also require minimal grooming maintenance.
In terms of Fel d1 production, the Balinese cat has less Fel d1 protein, making them an excellent choice for people with allergy sensitivities.
8. Bengal
The Bengal cat is a large cat with a muscular body and tail. They weigh 9-17 pounds and have a 10-16-year lifespan.
The cat was bred by crossing the small Asian leopard with the domestic cat. No wonder the Bengal looks like a little wild cat. Notwithstanding, it is a thorough domestic cat. The cat is adventurous and intelligent.
They have a unique coat. Their pelt-like fur is short and silky and can be spotted in marbled tan and brown. They are hypoallergenic cat breeds because they shed less fur hair and produce less Fel d1 protein than many other breeds.
More so, they groom themselves less frequently than other cats, which reduces the amount of pet dander and allergens released into the home.
9. Devon Rex
This breed of cat looks more like a mischievous little fairy in appearance. It has an oversized head and a small body size. The Devon Rex cat is brilliant, active, mischievous, and loves heights.
The cat weighs 5-9 pounds and has a 9-15-year lifespan. The cat has short, curly, thin, fine hair in various colors and patterns.
Devon Rex does not shed all the time nor leave much fur when it sheds. This minimizes the spread of dander and other allergens in the home. Hence, this is why it is considered one of the hypoallergenic cat breeds.
Also, their skin doesn’t collect much oil, making them nearly hypoallergenic. They do not require much grooming care. Just wipe down this cat’s coat to spread the natural oils and keep it clean.