Want to adopt a cat, but suffer from allergies? Maybe you’ve tried coping by taking antihistamines, and have a HEPA air filter in your home. You may have even heard the term "hypoallergenic pet" but not know it applies to cats.
Some feline breeds exist that are considered "hypoallergenic," or produce fewer allergens than others. Cats produce pet dander, but the culprit for the estimated 10 percent of the population allergic to cats may be a protein present in feline saliva.
Technically, there are no 100 percent hypoallergenic domestic cats. The following is a guideline which petMD recommends for people who want to adopt a feline, yet feel options are limited due to allergies:
- Balinese (Less of the saliva protein)
- Bengal
- Burmese
- Colorpoint Shorthair
- Cornish Rex
- Devon Rex
- Javanese
- Ocicat
- Oriental Shorthair
- Russian Blue
- Siamese
- Sphynx
Image: cotaroba / via Flickr