Hypoallergenic Cats List
Three of the seven hypo-allergenic breeds are Oriental lines: the Balinese,
Oriental Shorthair and Javanese. This provides several options for cat
lovers who'd like a low allergen cat with the characteristics of the popular
Siamese.
Balinese: Often referred to as the "long-haired Siamese," the Balinese
looks like an unlikely candidate for a hypoallergenic cat. But it is one of
the few breeds that produces less of the Fel D1 protein than other cats,
thus causing fewer allergic reactions in allergy sufferers.
Oriental Shorthair: They're hypoallergenic, but it's still a good
practice to groom your cat frequently (brushing as well as wiping her down)
to keep dander to a minimum.
Javanese: Like the Balinese, the Javanese sports a medium-long single
coat that doesn't mat. Because of the lack of undercoat, they have less fur
which translates into fewer allergens.
Two "Rex" cats are on the list: the Devon and Cornish Rex. Both shed very
little fur, which is good news for allergy sufferers:
Devon Rex: Of the two, the Devon has both shorter fur and less fur. Your
Devon Rex will need to have her paw pads and ears cleaned of oil build-up
frequently, but doesn't need frequent full baths like the Sphynx or Cornish
Rex.
Cornish Rex: The Cornish Rex requires more upkeep than the Devon because
they require frequent baths to mitigate the oil buildup on their skin.
The last two cats on the list offer you a choice of hairless or hairy:
Sphynx: The hairless Sphynx is the cat most often associated with being
hypoallergenic. Being hairless does not mean they're maintenance-free,
however. Your Sphynx will need frequent baths to remove the gummy buildup of
oils on her skin, and her large ears will also require frequent cleanings.
Siberian: Like the Balinese, the Siberian sports a moderately long coat,
but still is hypoallergenic due to the lower-than-average enzyme levels in
their saliva. Some claim that 75 percent of cat allergy sufferers have no
reaction to the Siberian.