A good number of people in the world are allergic to cats and dogs, with more having cat allergies. If you’re one of these people and want a cat, you may be wondering if hairless cats are hypoallergenic. The bad news is that hairless cats are not totally hypoallergenic. However, these felines cause less of an allergic reaction than their furry counterparts. If you have a mild allergy to cats, a cat without hair is more hypoallergenic than a hairy feline, which may be good enough for you. Just keep in mind that a cat without hair is not 100% hypoallergenic, and we’ll tell you why!

Why Hairless Cats Can Trigger Allergies Image Credit: Jaroslaw Kurek, Shutterstock You may be surprised to learn that it’s not cat hair that causes people to have allergic reactions. The primary allergen in felines is a specific type of protein called Fel d 1. This protein is present in the sebaceous glands of the skin and the cat’s saliva. When a cat with hair grooms itself, it manages to get its saliva and skin oils throughout its hair, covering the hair with this allergen. Then the individual strands of hair fall off the cat and end up on your clothing, furniture, carpeting, and more. When you or someone who is allergic to cats breathe in the air, the Fel d 1 allergen is inhaled, causing an allergic reaction. No Cat is 100% Hypoallergenic Even without fur, hairless cats aren’t completely hypoallergenic as no cat breed is. The Fel d 1 allergen is always present in the saliva, skin oils, and dander of cats, including hairless ones. Since a hairless cat still grooms himself even though he’s without hair, the allergy-triggering protein accumulates on the animal to trigger mild allergic reactions in people with cat allergies. Image Credit: Viachaslau Herostratos, Shutterstock Popular Types of Hairless Cats If you’re allergic to cats but want one anyway, you should know that many people with cat allergies live happily with cats. Since cat hair is associated with producing more Fel d 1, it’s only logical for you to get a hairless cat. There are many hairless cat breeds to choose from including:

Sphynx

Elf

Peterbald

Donskoy

Bambino

Ukrainian Levkoy

While these breeds are called hairless cats, none of them are completely hairless. These cats all have some fine down that gives them a silky smooth, velvety feel. Some of these cats have tufts of hair on their tails or hair between their toes. A benefit of having a hairless cat is that these animals don’t shed like cats with hair. This means you won’t have to deal with removing cat hairs from your clothing, carpeting, or furniture.

The Sphynx Cat is a Top Choice Image Credit: Igor Lukin from Pixabay Of all the hypoallergenic cats out there, the Sphynx is probably the most popular. This hairless cat is very people-friendly and smart. This is a cat that enjoys cuddling with its favorite person and one that will follow you around the house just to be near you. If you have kids, you can rest assured that a Sphynx will get along great with the youngest members of your family as this cat loves children. It’s also a cat that will be friendly toward people visiting your home and one that can get along great with a pet dog or even another cat. Overall, a Sphynx makes an endearing pet that will fit into most households and lifestyles. While it may take you a while to get used to a Sphynx’s exotic naked look, before you know it, your pet Sphynx will hold a special place in your heart as this is a loving and friendly cat breed to own.

How to Live with a Cat if You’re Allergic Image Credit: Cat Box, Shutterstock Some people choose to take prescription allergy medication to help deal with their cat allergies. However, if you don’t want to take medication, you can effectively reduce your allergic reaction to cats. Here are some ways to live with a cat if you’re allergic:

Use an air purifier

Give your cat weekly baths to reduce the allergens on the skin

Keep your cat off furniture

Clean your home often by dusting and vacuuming

Make your bedroom an off-limits area

Clean your cat’s bedding often

As you can see, you’ll have some work to do if you want to live in harmony with a cat. However, all the work will be worth it as your cat will provide you with lots of joy. It’s rewarding and fun to have a pet cat, regardless of if it has hair or not!

See Also: 10 Best Air Purifiers for Cat Urine Odor – Reviews & Top Picks

Final Thoughts Even though no cat is 100% hypoallergenic, hairless cats are the most allergy-friendly breeds out there. If you have a cat allergy that’s considered mild, you can get a hairless cat and live in complete harmony with your feline friend. Just be sure to bathe your cat regularly and keep it off the bed and your furniture.

Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock

A good number of people in the world are allergic to cats and dogs, with more having cat allergies. If you’re one of these people and want a cat, you may be wondering if hairless cats are hypoallergenic. The bad news is that hairless cats are not totally hypoallergenic. However, these felines cause less of an allergic reaction than their furry counterparts.

If you have a mild allergy to cats, a cat without hair is more hypoallergenic than a hairy feline, which may be good enough for you. Just keep in mind that a cat without hair is not 100% hypoallergenic, and we’ll tell you why!

Why Hairless Cats Can Trigger Allergies

You may be surprised to learn that it’s not cat hair that causes people to have allergic reactions. The primary allergen in felines is a specific type of protein called Fel d 1. This protein is present in the sebaceous glands of the skin and the cat’s saliva.

When a cat with hair grooms itself, it manages to get its saliva and skin oils throughout its hair, covering the hair with this allergen. Then the individual strands of hair fall off the cat and end up on your clothing, furniture, carpeting, and more. When you or someone who is allergic to cats breathe in the air, the Fel d 1 allergen is inhaled, causing an allergic reaction.

No Cat is 100% Hypoallergenic

Even without fur, hairless cats aren’t completely hypoallergenic as no cat breed is. The Fel d 1 allergen is always present in the saliva, skin oils, and dander of cats, including hairless ones.

Since a hairless cat still grooms himself even though he’s without hair, the allergy-triggering protein accumulates on the animal to trigger mild allergic reactions in people with cat allergies.

If you’re allergic to cats but want one anyway, you should know that many people with cat allergies live happily with cats. Since cat hair is associated with producing more Fel d 1, it’s only logical for you to get a hairless cat. There are many hairless cat breeds to choose from including:

Sphynx

Elf

Peterbald

Donskoy

Bambino

Ukrainian Levkoy

While these breeds are called hairless cats, none of them are completely hairless. These cats all have some fine down that gives them a silky smooth, velvety feel. Some of these cats have tufts of hair on their tails or hair between their toes.

  • Sphynx
  • Elf
  • Peterbald
  • Donskoy
  • Bambino
  • Ukrainian Levkoy

A benefit of having a hairless cat is that these animals don’t shed like cats with hair. This means you won’t have to deal with removing cat hairs from your clothing, carpeting, or furniture.

The Sphynx Cat is a Top Choice

Of all the hypoallergenic cats out there, the Sphynx is probably the most popular. This hairless cat is very people-friendly and smart. This is a cat that enjoys cuddling with its favorite person and one that will follow you around the house just to be near you.

If you have kids, you can rest assured that a Sphynx will get along great with the youngest members of your family as this cat loves children. It’s also a cat that will be friendly toward people visiting your home and one that can get along great with a pet dog or even another cat.

Overall, a Sphynx makes an endearing pet that will fit into most households and lifestyles. While it may take you a while to get used to a Sphynx’s exotic naked look, before you know it, your pet Sphynx will hold a special place in your heart as this is a loving and friendly cat breed to own.

How to Live with a Cat if You’re Allergic

Some people choose to take prescription allergy medication to help deal with their cat allergies. However, if you don’t want to take medication, you can effectively reduce your allergic reaction to cats. Here are some ways to live with a cat if you’re allergic:

Use an air purifier

Give your cat weekly baths to reduce the allergens on the skin

Keep your cat off furniture

Clean your home often by dusting and vacuuming

Make your bedroom an off-limits area

Clean your cat’s bedding often

As you can see, you’ll have some work to do if you want to live in harmony with a cat. However, all the work will be worth it as your cat will provide you with lots of joy. It’s rewarding and fun to have a pet cat, regardless of if it has hair or not!

  • Use an air purifier

  • Give your cat weekly baths to reduce the allergens on the skin

  • Keep your cat off furniture

  • Clean your home often by dusting and vacuuming

  • Make your bedroom an off-limits area

  • Clean your cat’s bedding often

  • See Also: 10 Best Air Purifiers for Cat Urine Odor – Reviews & Top Picks

Final Thoughts

Even though no cat is 100% hypoallergenic, hairless cats are the most allergy-friendly breeds out there. If you have a cat allergy that’s considered mild, you can get a hairless cat and live in complete harmony with your feline friend. Just be sure to bathe your cat regularly and keep it off the bed and your furniture.

Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock