# Hypoallergenic cat breeds **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 16, 2009, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypoallergenic-cat-breeds/486031 "2009-02-16T03:14:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypoallergenic-cat-breeds/486031/1 "2009-02-16T03:14:23Z")
Which types of cats, if any, are hypoallergenic? Would a mixed-breed cat be less hypoallegenic than a full breed? ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypoallergenic-cat-breeds/486031/2 "2009-02-16T03:21:25Z")
There really isn’t any such thing, if the person is allergic to the dander or components of the saliva (I have heard that people have allergies to both these things). There is a hairless breed of cat, but it is hella ugly and a maintenance nightmare- you have to slather it with sunscreen or dress it in a maximum-coverage outfit when you take it outside to avoid sunburn. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypoallergenic-cat-breeds/486031/3 "2009-02-16T03:25:02Z")
My mom is drastically allergic to cats but is significantly less affected by Siamese cats who are solely indoor kitties. Anecdote != data, but it would stand to reason that a short, sleek haired cat would be less of a problem than a large dustmop cat. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypoallergenic-cat-breeds/486031/4 "2009-02-16T05:06:52Z")
> [@EJsGirl](#): > > There really isn’t any such thing Might not be true: [Lifestyle Pets](http://www.allerca.com/) Supposedly there’s a particular genetic mutation in a small percentage of cats that turns off the protein that most cat allergy people are allergic to. I’d love to get a cat that to which I wouldn’t be allergic - but I’m not about to spend several thousand dollars on it. ---
**Author:** ![AngelSoft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelsoft/32/440_2.png) [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypoallergenic-cat-breeds/486031/5 "2009-02-16T06:59:46Z")
Apparently [Siberian](http://www.siberian-cat-breeder.com/hypo_allergenic_cat.html)and Russian Blues are hypoallergenic? ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypoallergenic-cat-breeds/486031/6 "2009-02-16T12:35:27Z")
Some people have had luck with Devon and Cornish Rexes. I think Devons are gorgeous cats (not crazy about the Cornish Rexes) but they are very odd-looking and everyone I know thinks they’re hideous. > **[Devon Rex Cat Breed Information](https://catsofaustralia.com/cat-breed-profiles/devon-rex)** > > The character of the Devon Rex is remarkable! Devon Rex are alert and active, and shows a lively interest in their surroundings. They love to be with their humans, and enjoy playing fetch or other games. They are also extremely agile cats with an... > [@](#): > > Despite popular myth, Devon Rex do shed (as does anything with hair), although their unique coat may make the shed hair less obtrusive than that of many cats. Devon Rex have also gained a dubious reputation as being “hypo-allergenic,” but this varies according to an individual’s personal allergies. While some people with animal allergies tolerate Devon Rex very well, anyone with allergy issues should arrange to handle a Devon Rex before considering acquiring one. ---
**Author:** ![JustThinkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@JustThinkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustThinkin)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypoallergenic-cat-breeds/486031/7 "2009-02-16T12:51:56Z")
Trying to get a hypo-allergenic cat is a bit of a crap shoot. I’ve had a couple friends tell me they react less to long-haired cats and you read some of the other suggestions above. There are definitely some contradictions. Your best bet, if you really want cats, is to manage the dander. Here’s some [good information](http://www.thecatsite.com/Health/223/Living-with-Cat-Allergy.html) about how to live with cat allergies. Also, talk to an allergist about some possible medical controls. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypoallergenic-cat-breeds/486031/8 "2009-02-16T18:23:10Z")
The cat that **EJs Girl** references is the [Sphynx](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphynx_(cat)). There are several different varieties of [Rex cats](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Rex_cat_breeds). Some make good pets for those people allergic to cat dander – but as common an allergen is a component in the body oil, and all the Rexes produce as much if not more of this as ‘normal’ cats. So the advice **Kayeby** quotes is, I think, excellent.