Hypoallergenic cats: mythbuster
Technically, hypoallergenic cats don't exist. Find out why and what that means for you if you have a cat allergy.
Are you a cat lover who sneezes and itches around felines? You might have heard that the solution to your dilemma is a so-called hypoallergenic cat. Well-meaning people might have pointed you to the following breeds:
- Siamese
- Russian blue
- Bengal
- Burmese
- Sphynx
‘Hypoallergenic cats’, so the story goes, are cats which do not produce an allergic reaction.
Hypoallergenic cat myth
Unfortunately, this story is exactly that – a story or popular myth. Vets have established there are no breeds or types of cat which never produce an allergic reaction. From a scientific perspective, hypoallergenic cats do not exist.
Cat allergies are caused by a protein in feline saliva, skin and urine. This protein is spread to a cat’s fur and skin when they clean themselves. Once shed around a home, this fur and dead skin – known as dander – retains its allergenic properties.
You might think that a cat which produces less of the allergenic protein or has less saliva than another would have less chance of causing an allergic reaction. And technically you’d be right.
However, these cats cannot be easily identified by any distinguishing breed traits.
Find out what works for you
Remember there are no guarantees. You might pick up a hairless Sphynx which, unbeknownst to you, produces a lot of the allergenic protein in its saliva. Or your allergic friend might have a tolerable relationship with her Burmese, only for you to find their cat brings you out in a rash.
Allergic reactions vary depending on the person as well as the cat. So if you have a cat allergy but still want to have a cat, it’s worth spending time with different breeds – and different individuals of the same breed – to see how you get on.
Need to give up your cat?
Research indicates that some people build up a natural tolerance for their cat over time. However, your allergies could always force you to consider rehoming your pet. If that’s the case, please contact your nearest Blue Cross rehoming centre to talk to one of the team or find out more about giving up a pet.
Hypoallergenic cats: five tips for coping with a cat allergy