Not only are allergies an absolute nightmare to live with, they cause a lot of strife for those who love animals. Cats produce a lot of dander that spreads around on their hair and can turn people into walking commercials for allergy relief medications. Fortunately, there are some breeds that are better suited for those with allergies than one might think. While no cat is truly “hypoallergenic,” certain characteristics of these breeds create little to no allergy symptoms in many people.
#1 – Sphynx
For many, this might seem obvious, but remember that people allergic to cats are actually allergic to proteins in the cat’s saliva. With coated cats, these proteins attach to the coat through grooming and are shed into the environment. Sphynx cats are hairless and therefore don’t shed nearly as much as your typical feline. They are intelligent, playful and make a great choice for allergy sufferers.
#2 – Devon Rex
The Devon Rex sports a soft, down-like undercoat with no guard hairs. Because of this, it actually sheds very little and therefore benefits those with allergies. They are very people-oriented cats and are very playful and energetic.
#3 – Cornish Rex
Like the Devon Rex, the Cornish Rex has no hair except for its soft undercoat. It also sheds very little and is an excellent choice for allergy sufferers. They are intelligent and adventurous cats that, due to their slender bodies, are known as the Greyhounds of the cat world.
#4 – Peterbald
The Peterbald is another mostly-hairless feline that has a reduced risk for allergy sufferers due to a lesser amount of shedding. This is a newly developed breed having only been recognized since 1994. They are sleek, affectionate and vocal cats that become very attached to their owners.
#5 – Siberian
The Siberian might surprise you due to its thick coat, but the breed actually carries very small amounts of the protein that so many people are allergic to. Because of this, when it sheds, it doesn’t shed as many allergens and most other coated breeds. They are a naturally occurring cat breed from Russia and are therefore very intelligent and agile.
#6 – LaPerm
The LaPerm is a curly coated cat with a soft, downy coat similar to the Rex breeds. Because of this, they shed very little and are considered relatively safe for most allergy sufferers. They are very affectionate cats that bond closely with their families.