Animals

The prefix ‘hypo‘ in the word hypoallergenic means ‘less than normal‘. Therefore the word hypoallergenic does not mean non-allergenic. A hypoallergenic cat is less likely than other cats to produce allergic reactions in some people.

Although some cat allergy sufferers can tolerate any or all of the following breeds not all allergy sufferers can.

Hypoallergenic means that the cat is less likely to cause allergic reactions in most people. Certain cats are less likely to create the sneezing, wheezing and itching than others. While you may think that the fur is what causes the allergy, this is not the case. Usually a person is not allergic to the fur of a cat but to a protein called FEL D-1. This is found both in the saliva and the sebaceous glands (oil secreting glands in the skin) of cats. When cats groom themselves, the FEL D-1 attaches to the hair and the fur can cause an allergic reaction in sensitive people.

There are four main cat breeds that are considered hypoallergenic: The Sphynx, The Devon Rex, The Cornish Rex and Siberian cat.. Each has different qualities and characteristics. When choosing a hypoallergenic cat, or any pet, spend some time with the animal before you take it home. Having a pet is a lifelong commitment, and it is better to find out that you don’t like the temperament or are allergic to the cat before it comes home with you.

Remember, there is no cat that is completely non-allergenic. Any of these cats may work in your home, you may have allergies to one and not the other, or you may have severe allergies and be allergic to all of them.