If you love cats but suffer from allergies, you may be in luck.

Most people believe that cat dander is the problem; however, for more than
10 percent of the population who are allergic to cats, a protein, Fel d 1, that is present in cat saliva is the real culprit.

Technically, according to PetMd, there are no 100 percent hypoallergenic domestic cats or cats that are completely non-allergenic. All cats produce some amount of dander, so you won't find a dander-free or allergy-free cat.

What makes them hypoallergenic? They are called hypoallergenic because they produce a lower amount of the Fel D1 allergen than the more common cats we know.

Here are our top 5 hypoallergenic cat breeds and why they seem to be best suited to those with cat allergies:


Photo by Linnea Sandbakk on Unsplash

  1. Sphynx Cat
    The Sphynx cat is also referred to as a hairless cat. If you suffer from allergies, a Sphynx cat could be the perfect cat for you. Because the allergenic proteins in the cat’s saliva can’t get trapped in a Sphynx cats fur, they don’t have any.
  2. Cornish Rex or Devon Rex
    Both Rex breeds possess only the bottom undercoat of down hair which means that they are not only very soft but they have a lot less hair than other cats. This means they shed a lot less hair and are therefore less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
  3. Oriental Shorthair
    Oriental Shorthairs have a short, fine coat and shed very little. Brushing regularly helps to reduce the amount of hair they shed.
  4. Russian Blue
    Russian Blues don’t have any special coat qualities that make them hypoallergenic, but they do produce less Fel d1.
  5. Balinese
    Like the Russian Blue, the Balinese's skin produces less Fel d1 which means that they are less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

So, if a kitty is what you want and your allergies have been holding you back, consider adopting one of these reduced allergen kittens. For more information on how to deal with cat allergies, click here.