Do hypoallergenic cats exist?
Allergies can be one of the most annoying things that humans have to deal with. From red puffy eyes, runny noses, all the way to itchy skin, and breaking out in hives allergies can be mild or extremely severe. While most people struggle with pollen, dust, and other airborne allergens there are a lot of people that are allergic to cats. I am sadly one of those people even though I have three cats myself. I deal with my problem of being allergic to cats with medicine, but not everyone wants to even deal with medication. Thankfully, there are cats out there that are hypoallergenic. Today, we will be discussing five different hypoallergenic cats.
Hypoallergenic Cats
1. Oriental Shorthair
We will first begin with the Oriental Shorthair cat. This breed, in particular, is rather slender, but are also still very muscular. They have clear, large eyes and even have large ears to match. Oriental shorthair cats are extremely playful and need a lot of attention. If you are not home often then this particular breed is not recommended for you. It is also a very good idea to have a friend for your cat. Having a partner for him or her will give them someone to play with if you have to be gone during certain times of the day or night. This breed does struggle with jealousy so being the center of attention is best for them or they can become very depressed.
2. Cornish Rex
Next on our list is the Cornish Rex cat. The most interesting thing about this breed, in particular, is that they only have one coat or layer of fur. This layer is called the down layer, most cats have three layers of fur. Due to this breed’s low shedding habits, the Cornish Rex is great for those who suffer from cat allergies. This particular breed thrives inside a warm home as these guys are sensitive to low temperatures. You may sometimes find your new Cornish friend napping near light sources, computers, and especially on the laps and shoulders of his or her companions. Cornish Rex cats are very curious, intelligent, and adventurous. These guys and gals tend to be very playful as well.
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3. Sphynx
The Sphynx breed is next up on this allergen-free countdown. This is a hairless breed of cat and is rather supple in stature. Hairlessness can be naturally occurring in felines, but this particular breed was created through selective breeding back in the 1960s. Some Sphynx cats do not even have whiskers. In addition, this breed also has webbed feet and is naturally warm when touched. They often seek out heat sources and can get cold very easily. The Sphynx as a breed is very extroverted accompanied by a high energy level. Like most cats they are curious and very intelligent, Sphynx’s are also very affectionate to their owners.
4. Russian Blue
This leads us to our fourth hypoallergenic cat, the Russian Blue cat. This breed does have fur even though it is shorthaired. They get their name from their origin country of Russia and the light blue reflective shine of their fur coats. Their fur is short and dense so this breed is recommended for people with mild to moderate allergies. Russian Blue cats are typically more solitary but are still very friendly, curious, and intelligent. Russian Blues also have stunning green eyes and usually have mauve or pinkish-lavender toe beans on the bottom of their paws. These guys and gals have a rough life expectancy of 10 to 20 years.
5. Bengal Cat
The last gorgeous feline that we will be looking at is Bengal cats. This breed, in particular, is a hybrid of domesticated cats, the Asian Leopard cat, and the Egyptian Mau. This is where Bengals get their golden shimmer from. This cat is very energetic, intelligent, and extremely playful. This breed has been known to love playing in the water and will even fetch items. These cats love to climb and be up in high places. There are some places where Bengal cats are not allowed such as New York City and Hawaii. This is because Bengals are mixed with a wild species of cat.
There are many more breeds that are classified as the hypoallergenic cats, but you should also do research on the breed of cat that you choose to bring home with you. You should always keep in mind that just because the cat is deemed hypoallergenic, that does not mean that you will not have any sort of allergy symptoms. You may still sneeze and itch, it really depends on how severe your allergies are.
