Which Cats Do Not Cause Allergies?

Owning a cat is possible without aggravating your allergies. Certain breeds trigger allergies less than others. There are also steps that can be taken to reduce airborne allergens within the home to make owning a cat a pleasant experience for those who are allergy sufferers.

  1. Types

    • Three cat breeds are considered to be hypoallergenic. These are the Cornish Rex, Devon Rex and Sphinx breeds. The Rex breeds have short, wavy hair, whereas the Sphinx has almost no hair.

    Misconceptions

    • Hypoallergenic does not mean that these cats produce no allergens; they just produce less. It is also a common misconception that cat hair causes allergies when, in fact, a protein found in cat dander and saliva is the cause.

    Causes

    • Dander, or small skin particles, contains skin cell proteins, as well as proteins from saliva that stick to the skin after cats clean themselves. Dander becomes airborne, clinging to carpets, drapes, furniture, bedding and clothes, which then triggers allergies.

    Considerations

    • Simple steps can be taken to reduce allergens in a home with a cat. Treat your cat with a product such as Allerpet/C, which is applied with a wet washcloth and doesn't require shampooing, or consult your veterinarian about other treatments and shampoos for reducing cat dander allergens. You should also consider vacuuming your carpets and furniture using a HEPA-filtered vacuum.

    Fun Fact

    • Spayed or neutered cats produce fewer allergens. By choosing a hypoallergenic breed and spaying the cat, amounts of allergens are drastically reduced.