Environment
Fact Checked

Can You get a Hypoallergenic Cat?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

It is possible to get a hypoallergenic cat, although there are some caveats involved in the purchase of hypoallergenic cats which should be carefully considered. Primarily, the issue is that “hypo” means “less,” not “none,” so a hypoallergenic cat is less likely to cause allergic reactions in people with cat allergies, rather than being free of all potential allergens. This means that for someone with severe allergies, a hypoallergenic cat could still represent a health risk.

Before searching specifically for a hypoallergenic cat, it can pay to confirm that allergies are genuinely being caused by a cat. There are a wide range of causes and factors involved in allergies, and it can take time and money to narrow down specific allergens. General practitioners are often inclined to zero in on common allergens like pets when a patient presents with allergies, rather than recommending an allergy specialist who can precisely identify the cause of an allergy. For someone recently diagnosed with a cat allergy who loves cats, investing in allergy testing may be less costly than obtaining a hypoallergenic cat.

A short haired cat.
A short haired cat.

Cat allergies appear to be caused by proteins which are secreted by the sebaceous glands in the skin. These proteins enter the air in the cat's dander, the dead skin and hair shed by the cat. Hypoallergenic cats tend to have less fur than regular cats, reducing the amount of dander, and they may shed less as well. Some breeds appear to produce less of the allergenic proteins than conventional cats.

A Russian Blue cat.
A Russian Blue cat.

Several cat breeds appear to be hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic breeds include: Siberians, Russian Blues, Sphynxes, Cornish Rexes, Devon Rexes, LaPerms, Balinese, Javanese, and Oriental Shorthairs. These cat breeds have a range of appearances and body types. At least one company has also made claims that it has genetically engineered a hypoallergenic cat, although these claims have been difficult to substantiate due to lack of peer review.

The potential pet owner should first confirm that allergies are indeed being caused by pet dander.
The potential pet owner should first confirm that allergies are indeed being caused by pet dander.

Some animal activists have raised concerns about the demand for hypoallergenic cats, arguing that it feeds a larger demand for purebred animals. Breeding of cats and dogs is a significant bone of contention, so to speak, in some areas of the world because some people feel that breeding decreases genetic diversity while also contributing to the large numbers of homeless pets around the world. People who do want to purchase a cat from a breeder should seek out a reputable facility, or consider obtaining a hypoallergenic breed from a purebred rescue organization.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Discussion Comments

croydon

I've heard that the allergens that cause people to be allergic to cats are also found in the saliva of cats and that is why their fur is bad. Because they lick their own coats and it then carries the proteins around the house.

So, I think that if you have a cat like the Sphinx, it would be pretty hypoallergenic, because it doesn't shed so much hair (the Sphinx is that naked looking cat, although they do have a very short, velvety coat).

I often see rag doll cats on lists of hypoallergenic cats but I'm not sure if they are or not. They are certainly a lovely breed anyway.

I would suggest if you are going to buy a cat and you are worried about allergies, then ask the breeder to let you hold him for a while so you can see what happens. That's the only way to make sure your new cat isn't going to give you the sniffles.

lluviaporos

To some extent I feel like people who are allergic to cats just should not have cats. I agree with the animal rights groups who think that too much emphasis on pure bred genetics is bad for the cats.

They end up being too inbred and that can cause all kinds of problems, like disease, or even physical problems.

Those cats with the squashed noses for example often have trouble breathing, and can get nose infections at the drop of a hat.

And the proteins that people are allergic to are probably there for a reason. Hypoallergenic cat breeders might have good intentions, but they should be looking out for the cat first, not the owner.

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    • A short haired cat.
      By: aceshot
      A short haired cat.
    • A Russian Blue cat.
      By: Eric Isselée
      A Russian Blue cat.
    • The potential pet owner should first confirm that allergies are indeed being caused by pet dander.
      By: jagodka
      The potential pet owner should first confirm that allergies are indeed being caused by pet dander.
    • Before searching for a hypoallergenic cat, one should confirm that their allergies are being caused by the cat.
      By: Evgenia Tiplyashina
      Before searching for a hypoallergenic cat, one should confirm that their allergies are being caused by the cat.
    • Hypoallergenic cats can help people with sinus allergies that are cause by pet dander.
      By: itardiusz
      Hypoallergenic cats can help people with sinus allergies that are cause by pet dander.
    • Allergies to pet dander can cause a "scratchy" throat.
      By: Lsantilli
      Allergies to pet dander can cause a "scratchy" throat.