Your heart and brain may want a cat at home but allergies tell you no! Oh what to do… Perfect time to look up the 10 low-shedding cat breeds perfect for allergic owners like you (or someone you know)!
In this article, you might just tick the top box on your list – a hypoallergenic cat. Read about the personalities, compatibility, and more of the top 10 low-shedding cat breeds below.
What Cat Breeds Are Perfect for Allergic Owners?
Cats that shed the least have short coats. If you don’t mind a hairless feline, you’ll ensure there’s no risk of shedding!
What makes you allergic to cats is the protein Fel d 1 found in cat saliva, dander, and urine. Even if the cat doesn’t shed much, you can still be allergic.
1. Donskoy
Also known as the Russian Hairless and Don Sphynx, the Donskoy is a medium-sized cat with a similar likeness to the Sphynx. They are attention seekers, loyal, affectionate, curious, and active.
They are hairless like some Sphynx cats so they should not be taken outside often unless supervised with keen eyes. They are a friendly breed that is good with kids when you have one.
Read: Do Cats See Humans as Cats? An Exploration of Feline Cognition
2. Peterbald
A mixed breed of the Oriental Shorthair and a Don Sphynx/Donskoy, the Peterbald is a medium to large-sized cat that is almost as nude as a Sphynx, although some Peterbald cats have a fuzzy coat. They are affectionate, playful, patient, and loyal.
The Peterbald cat has little to no fur to shed and is hypoallergenic. Although they can do well with a family of kids and other pets, they usually bond with only one person.
3. Sphynx
Sphynx cats resulted from a genetic mutation in the 1960s from Canadian breeders. This breed is popular for its nearly hairless body, wrinkled skin, and a small face with big ears. They are outgoing, energetic, silly, and loving felines.
Although they appear to be bald, some Sphynx cats have fine hair across their body and can still shed but it’s so minimal that it doesn’t seem true. VCAHospitals advise owners and would-be carers to keep them warm indoors and avoid letting them out.
Read: Why Do Cats Age So Fast? Explaining the Rapid Aging of Cats
4. Ukrainian Levkoy
This breed has just been recently recognized in the early 2000s, a result of crossbreeding the Donskoy and the Scottish Fold. The Ukrainian Levkoy are hairless with distinctive folded ears.
Because they are furless, you don’t see visible shedding, although many Ukrainian Levkoys have light fur. They’re curious, playful, and sociable but can be shy with strangers.
5. Javanese
The Javanese breed is a descendant of the Siamese and Balinese breeds, also considered to be a long-haired Siamese with a sleek and muscular build. They love being around people and are eager to learn tricks.
Despite their medium-length hair, these felines have a single coat with low shedding. They are easy to groom but require brushing once in a while to avoid tangling. Javanese cats are vocal and very friendly with kids and other pets.
6. Russian Blue
Once favored by the Russian royalty, the Russian Blue breed is a medium-sized cat of uncertain origins but was speculated to be from Archangel Island (Arkhangelsk) in Northern Russia. These cats are quiet, gentle, and content to be by themselves.
This regal feline doesn’t shed a lot and doesn’t need daily brushing. They will bond more easily with one person over a family and prefer to be in a quiet home but can coexist with other pets.
Read: Why Are Cats Not Always Landing on Their Feet?
7. Devon Rex
The first of this breed arrived in the US in the 1960s from Devonshire, England, a unique-looking feline with large eyes, high cheekbones, and pointed ears. This breed is curious, playful, sociable, and fun.
Devon Rex cats are considered hypoallergenic with minimal shedding and low-maintenance grooming. This is a beautiful cat for owners who love quirky felines.
8. Bengal Cat
A mix of the Asian Leopard Cat with domestic cats, Bengals are medium to large-sized with a unique appearance that gives them a wild look. These felines are highly intelligent and mischievous, with high demands for exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and well-cared for.
Bengals have a short coat that allows them to shed minimally; it’s even assumed that they don’t shed at all. They do great with active owners and will make for excellent companions.
9. Burmese
Originally bred in the US, Burmese cats are of medium size, muscular build, and striking golden eyes. These cats are playful, loyal, affectionate, and sociable with other pets.
With short-length hair, they don’t shed a lot and require little grooming. Burmese cats can adjust well to children and are active until adulthood.
Read: Why Do Cats Arch Their Back When They’re Scared or Anxious? Here’s the Explanation
10. Ocicat
Ocicats are medium to large cats with unique spots all over its coat, a mixed breed feline of the Abyssinian, American Shorthair, and Siamese breeds. They are sociable, playful, a bit demanding, and chatty.
Ocicats have a short coat that sheds minimally. They have a variety of colors, including fawn, chocolate, blue, and silver.
Have you found a suitable companion from our list of low-shedding cat breeds?
Bonus Mention: Oriental Shorthair
The Oriental Shorthair breed was a result of crossbreeding the Siamese with several breeds such as the Abyssinian, British Shorthair, and Russian Blue as an attempt to revive the Siamese breed after World War II. These felines are described to be extremely outgoing, vocal, sociable, intelligent, and affectionate.
The Oriental Shorthair is a hypoallergenic breed but sheds moderately. These felines are not recommended for busy owners as they will feel lonely if left alone almost every day.
Read: How to Discipline a Cat Not to Bite?
How Do I Buy or Adopt?
Visit credited cat websites like The International Cat Association and search for your desired breed. A list of breeders will be shown near your area.
Look for cat shows and attend the event to meet the breeder you’re looking for. You may also contact a cat shelter or your veterinarian to ask for suggestions about buying or adopting a cat of a particular breed so you can start on the right foot.
How Do I Find a Reputable Breeder?
To make sure you’re buying a healthy and happy cat, take the time to research the breeder’s affiliation with a cat association to ensure the person is registered and abides by the association’s ethical standards.
You can ask your veterinarian for a recommendation or look for a breeder on the cat association’s website, such as TICA Breeder Listings. Get in contact with the breeder and request to visit and interact with the cats.
Always ask about the cat’s pedigree, health, and if they perform tests to screen for genetic diseases. Be warned not to buy kittens online as anything can be fabricated on screen.
Conclusion:
Not everyone is fortunate to be born with strong immunity and a love for cats to own one. For allergic pet lovers, choosing from one of the hypoallergenic and low-shedding cat breeds is a good option.