What Cat Breed Is Best for Allergy Sufferers?

If you have allergies and are looking for a hypoallergenic cat, stop looking. The legend of the hypoallergenic cat is just that: a legend. Contrary to popular myth, most allergic reactions in humans are not caused by the fur of cats, but rather by the allergens secreted by the sebaceous glands in the skin and, to a lesser degree, in the saliva of the cat. However, all is not lost. For some as yet unknown reason, many allergy sufferers have reported that they are able to live with the two breeds of rex cats: the Cornish rex and the Devon rex. Read on and decide if this is the cat for you.

  1. History

    • The first known Devon rex cats were discovered in 1959 by a Miss Cox in Devonshire, England, who found that a stray cat and her litter of unusual kittens had taken up residence in her barn. Similarly, Cornish rex cats first appeared circa 1950, also as a litter of barn cats.

    Physique

    • While the Cornish rex's physique is unusual, with its arched back and nipped waist, the Devon rex's body is that of a more "traditional" cat. Both breeds have large eyes, very large ears and comparatively small heads.

    Coat

    • The coat of the Cornish rex is very short and lies close to its body in soft, velvety waves. The Devon rex sports a coat that can vary greatly, from loose, shaggy curls to a thinner, tighter coat.

    Personality

    • Both the Devon rex and the Cornish rex are affectionate, people-oriented cats. They are also extremely active, playful and enjoy participating in your daily activities.

    Care and Grooming

    • The Devon rex and the Cornish rex are hardy breeds with few health problems. And aside from the occasional ear-cleaning or nail clipping, very little grooming is needed--a quick wipe-down with a grooming glove is usually sufficient.