Hypoallergenic cat breeds

Many people would love a cat but worry about allergies. Some breeders and owners believe certain breeds are much less likely to trigger a reaction. This guide looks at what causes cat allergies and what you can realistically expect.

Is any cat hypoallergenic?

A hypoallergenic cat is usually taken to mean one that won't trigger allergies, or produces fewer of the proteins that cause them. In reality, there is no truly hypoallergenic cat. All cats produce allergens, though some individual cats produce more than others.

Some things can affect how much allergen a person is exposed to:

• Shedding. Cats that shed less may spread less allergen around the home.
• Hairless breeds. There is little fur to shed, but the cat still produces allergens on its skin.
• Sex and neutering. Entire male cats tend to produce more Fel d 1 than females and neutered males.

What causes cat allergies

The main cat allergen, Fel d 1, is made in a cat's skin glands and saliva and spreads onto the fur when the cat grooms. Other allergens are also found in saliva.

It's a common belief that fur or dander alone causes the reaction. In fact, the fur carries allergens around: when a cat sheds, allergen on its hair is spread through the home. You can react by being close to a cat, living with one, or touching things a cat has been in contact with.

Symptoms can include sore, itchy eyes, a runny nose, a sore throat, coughing and, for some people, asthma attacks.

Breeds often suggested for allergy sufferers

There's never a guarantee that a cat won't trigger an allergy. Some people react badly to most cats but find they have few symptoms around a particular cat, and it can be hard to predict.

Owners and breeders often suggest these breeds, but there's little evidence that any breed is reliably better for allergy sufferers:

• Siberian
• Balinese
• Devon Rex
• Russian Blue
• Oriental Shorthair

The Siberian and Balinese are the breeds most often claimed to produce less Fel d 1, but the evidence is limited.

If you have a cat allergy

If you have a cat allergy, talk to your GP before getting a cat, spend time with the individual cat more than once, keep cats out of the bedroom, and clean and ventilate regularly.

When you're ready to look, you can find a cat and ask sellers or rescues whether you can visit more than once before deciding.