Cat Breed Allergies

According to the Cat Fancier's Association, there are 41 recognized breeds of cat. Of the approximately 94 million cats living in American households, some are bound to be responsible for a sneeze or two by an allergic owner. So, is it a fact or a myth that among the 41 there is a cat that doesn't produce allergy symptoms in sensitive people? Well, it all depends on whom you ask.

  1. Identification of the Allergen

    • Cats can provide protection against developing asthma, according to a Swedish doctor.

      The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American (AAFA) reports that 15 percent to 30 percent of Americans who suffer from allergies are allergic to cats or dogs. Though most people believe it is the animal's fur that is the problem, it is actually the dander that is the culprit. Cat allergies differ from dog allergies because their dander is smaller and can hang in the air much longer.

    The Devon Rex

    • The Devon Rex is a cat that some people with allergies can tolerate.

      Cat-World.com stresses that there is really no such thing as a hypoallergenic breed of cat. However, there are several breeds that people with cat allergies report being able to live with. One of those is the Devon Rex.

      The Cat Fancier's Association describes the personality of the Devon Rex as a "cross between a cat and a monkey." This midsized cat has a short-haired coat with tight curls. The Devon Rex comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Breeders of Devon Rex and its close cousin, the Cornish Rex, report that some people with allergies may find they can live comfortably with one of these cats.

    Cornish Rex

    • The Sphynx is an inquisitive, loving cat.

      The Cornish Rex's coat is smooth and lies very close to the body in a washboard pattern. The Cornish Rex, it has been said, resembles the ancient Egyptian statues. They are not from Egypt, however, but from Cornwall, England.

      The Cornish Rex is extremely affectionate and retains its kittenlike qualities throughout its life.

    The Sphynx

    • The Sphynx is an unusual-looking cat at first glance because it appears to have no fur at all. However, upon closer inspection you can see that it actually has a light, peachlike, downy fur. The Sphynx is a popular breed for those who suffer from allergies, because the dander has no place to collect. The cat's naturally occurring body oils are not absorbed into fur as they are in other cats, and so this feline is a little more high-maintenance than others The Sphynx must be wiped daily or its body oils will become a problem worse than shedding, by staining furniture and clothing instead of leaving hair everywhere. But owners of this cat say the work is worth it, as this is a loving, inquisitive little companion.

    Cats and Asthma

    • After a 2003 study of the effects of cats on asthmatics, Dr. Frederick E. Leickly, M.D., stunned the medical community when he reported that owning a cat provided protection against developing asthma later on in life. The study showed that kids who grew up around cats were less likely to suffer from allergies and asthma than those who didn't. Conventional wisdom up until that point always held that people with asthma and allergies should avoid cats. The study took place in Sweden.