There is a huge tragedy, that is taking place all over the world. Despite the obvious problems in the world, there is one that not everybody is completely aware of. People are finding their perfect cats and bringing them home.
Only to discover that their “new best friend”, is causing them to suffer from severe allergies and bad hay fever. Some people are unaware that they are allergic until it is too late. By this time, they have already fallen totally in love with their new family member.
Despite the best intentions and efforts, this results in cats landing up in shelters and needing to be rehomed. The cat epidemic continues, and one of the ways we can reduce these numbers is to choose a cat that works for people who may be allergic.
Why are people allergic to cats?
It may be useful for you to know that nobody is actually allergic to cats themselves. It is rather a certain type of protein in a cat’s saliva that causes an allergic reaction in people. Cats have a tendency to groom themselves and other cats, and this is when this particular protein spreads.
This protein also spreads in their fur and when they shed hair. This is why people who have allergic reactions, react negatively to any cat fur in a vicinity. They could be cleaning up and will start to sneeze and have flu-type symptoms. Their fur alone is enough to cause severe reactions. The name of this particular protein is known as “Fel D1”.
Is there a way around cat allergies?
The truth is that there could be a reduction in the number of cats that need to be rehomed. All that is needed is for prospective cat owners to choose a hypoallergenic cat breed. There are some wonderful cat breeds to choose from, and the good news is that they will not cause your allergies to act up.
These cats won’t produce the itching, the sneezing, the hives, and even the snotty noses. This is excellent news for you, your family, and your kids, as you are able to bring home the cat of your dreams.
Are there many hypoallergenic cat breeds?
This is where things actually start to get interesting. While there are “technically” no truly hypoallergenic cat breeds, there are plenty of cats that won’t cause harmful allergic reactions. While no cat breed can actually be given the “all clear” as a hypoallergenic cat, there are breeds that won’t cause allergies to act up.
Yes, this is a tad tricky to understand, and the best is not to overthink it. The probabilities and percentile of these breeds making a sufferer sneeze, cough, or show symptoms is almost non-existence. Therefore, these cats can be seen as “hypoallergenic” in nature, even though some people may argue otherwise.
Can people who suffer from allergies own a cat?
The great news about cats that are considered to be hypoallergenic is that everybody can own one. Instead of living your life never knowing the true love that a cat gives, all you need to do is find one that suits your allergies.
There are plenty of really amazing, kind, soft-hearted, wonderful cats that fit the criteria as hypoallergenic. The variety is bigger than you think, and there are enough breeds to choose from.
Regardless of if you live in a small apartment alone or if you have a family of six, there will be a hypoallergenic breed to suit you and your lifestyle. Everybody deserves to have love in their lives, and the love of a cat is truly unconditional and precious.
What are some hypoallergenic cat breeds?
While there are plenty of hypoallergenic cat breeds, it is time to look at the most popular ones that are easily accessible all over the world. These are the top popular cat breeds for all different reasons, which you will discover soon.
The Sphynx breed
The Sphynx cat is seen as one of the top hypoallergenic cat breeds that exist. Most people will know this cat breed, as they are a common pet to celebrities in Hollywood. These cats have no fur at all, and some people may perceive them to look a bit funny.
At first glance, they look like they are naked, and they don’t have eyelashes or whiskers. However, they make excellent pets and they are one of the friendliest and most loving cat breeds that exist.
They do, unfortunately, get fleas, even without their fur. However, you will be able to spot one and get rid of it immediately.
They weigh around six kilograms in total, and they are best suited for indoors. They make wonderful companions as they will sleep with you on your bed and shower you with love and affection. Best of all is that is, they will not cause you to break out in hives or have any allergic symptoms.
Bengal Cats
Bengal cats are considered to be hypoallergenic, and they make wonderful pets. While they may look similar to wild cats, they are domestic in nature. They have thick tails and necks, with spots on their coats.
There are active cats who enjoy playing, therefore they function best when they have more space. They can keep you entertained for hours on end, and they never seem to run out of energy.
Due to their particular coat, they groom themselves less than other cats, which is good news for any allergy sufferers. They are a safe bet to choose if you are looking for a beautiful pet with tons of energy. They will play with you all day long and eventually pass out.
One of the reasons that they make excellent pets is because they adapt well to their environment. They usually get on well with dogs and other cats, which is another winning reason why people choose Bengals.
Not only are Bengals hypoallergenic cats, but they are one of the few cat breeds that you can take for a walk. They are very well-trained cats that respond well to a leash. It is important to know that they are vocal cats and their owners often say that they “make good conversation”.
Devon Rex cats
Devon Rex cats are not only hypoallergenic, but they also are low-maintenance. They have very short fur, and they will not shed hair all over your home. For people who suffer from allergic reactions from cats, this is a particularly popular breed.
These cats are extremely playful, friendly, loving and they have great temperaments. In terms of intelligence, they are extremely smart. People who own this cat breed will tell you how fascinating and smart they really are. Most people don’t give this breed enough credit.
They make excellent family cats, and they are best suited for indoors. If you have a good indoor space, then the Devon Rex cat breed could work well for you. They are also fantastic “cuddle bunnies,” and they will lie under the duvet with you in winter.
They have vast amounts of love to give, and they are generally healthy cats. They usually live to around fifteen years of age or even longer.
Siberian cats
These cats are considered to be hypoallergenic because they have less of the protein, which causes an allergic reaction. Despite being fluffy and big cats, many allergy sufferers all over the world have proved to experience barely any or no symptoms from them.
This means that you can own a fluffy cat with fur and not suffer from allergies, which is a winning combination.
They are beautiful on the outside and just as beautiful on the inside. They are loving, kind, adventurous, and they make excellent pets. One of the benefits of this breed is that they take longer than other cats to mature. They have a playful kitten nature that lasts for many years.
They are only considered to be fully grown-up at five years of age. They love to play, explore, climb and just have fun. They get on very well with other pets and children. Plus, they are highly devoted and loyal to their owners, and they love cuddles.
Balinese
These very special cats also are hypoallergenic and have less protein, which causes allergic reactions in sufferers. This is one of the reasons why they are a popular breed. They may be a bit harder to find, but they are totally worth the search.
They usually have beautiful blue eyes, and they have similar physical features to a Siamese cat. They are intelligent and affectionate, and humans usually become attached to them very quickly.
The Balinese cat breed can be seen as “long-haired Siamese cats”. They are best suited towards people who can accommodate them, as they will require tons of attention. They can get up to mischief, so it is important to make sure that they have lots of toys, scratching posts, and entertainment all around them.
Russian Blues
The Russian Blue cat breed is a wonderful option for people who suffer from any type of allergies. These cats are hypoallergenic and they have short hair, so you will not need to worry about sneezing, fur, and itchy eyes.
They have a strong build with magnificent big green eyes. Over the years, they have been given all sorts of names, including the “Archangel Blue” and Archangel Cat”.
They are pretty easy to train, and they are incredibly loyal. In terms of intelligence, they are considered to be super smart. They usually get attached to one particular person, such as their owner, and they will follow this person around, even to the bathroom and back.
If you own this breed, you will have a guaranteed best friend for life. They are kind cats, and they will make an excellent addition to any family.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, it needs to be said that all cats make amazing pets. When it comes to hypoallergenic cats, we are really fortunate to have many options. There are many more breeds that have not been discussed in this article. All of the breeds that have been discussed here are fantastic pets, and they really will be worth the search.
Thanks to these beautiful cats, everybody and anybody can become a cat owner. Please pass on this information in order to prevent cats from ending up in shelters. It may also help to save a family from having to give away their best friend and V.I.P family member.
“Time spent with cats is never wasted.” ― Sigmund Freud.
