Mary Allen
A cat hair allergy is really tragic for lovers of velvet paws. But with these breeds, allergy sufferers will also find a suitable cat.
If you think you have an allergy to cats or rather show allergic reactions to the allergens in cat saliva, a quick test is worthwhile. You can easily do it yourself at home. If velvet paws or a cat allergy are actually the reason for your symptoms, all is not lost. You can keep cats even if you have a cat allergy. If you decide on one of the suitable cat breeds, you will get by with fewer or no allergic reactions.
Short-haired or long-haired cats: is that important for allergy sufferers?
Contrary to popular belief, whether an animal has short or long fur does not matter when it comes to cat hair allergies. Because the trigger for most allergies is not the hair, but the protein compound “Fel-Dh1”, which is present in the saliva of cats. Some breeds of cats produce much less of this protein than others and therefore fewer allergens. In addition, some cat breeds shed less dander and thus ensure fewer allergic reactions in the event of a cat allergy.
Although there is no guarantee that these cat breeds will not trigger any symptoms of a cat allergy, experience has shown that the symptoms of allergies to these cat species are reduced to a minimum or not at all. They are therefore particularly suitable for people who show allergic reactions when they come into contact with cats.
The Cornish Rex – the cuddly one
- Characteristics
Upper Group: Shorthair
Size: medium
Color: Multicolour
Weight (tomcat): 3-4.5 kg
Weight (cat): 2-4 kg
Cost: ~350-650€
- appearance
The petite Cornish Rex is medium-sized and has an elegant build with long, slender legs. The loving, active house cat typically has a velvety, short, and wavy coat that is only half as thick as that of other house cats due to the lack of top hair. On average, a cat of this breed weighs 4.5 kilos and has a shoulder height of 40 centimeters.
- being
If you decide to get a Cornish Rex, you will be accompanied by a friendly and intelligent four-legged friend from now on. She is an active and active cat who wants to explore everything around her with her irrepressible curiosity. However, she also likes to cuddle with you just as much, because she is very affectionate and will remain faithful to you for the rest of her life.
With a Cornish Rex, you bring a different kind of cat into your home, because it is characterized by an unusual peculiarity: If it is happy about something, it wags its long tail like a dog. If there is still uncertainty in the family about whether it should be a dog or a cat, is the Cornish Rex a good compromise? (Of course, this tip is not meant to be taken seriously)
- attitude/care
The Cornish Rex loves warmth and is therefore well suited if you want to keep your new family member indoors. She is very happy about an animal fellow – this can be both a cat and a dog. She tends to get lazy, so you should never overfeed her. Otherwise, she will quickly become overweight.
You have to be careful with the curly fur of the Cornish Rex so that their short hair doesn’t fall out. It is best to brush them several times a week with a soft brush.
- Who does it suit?
The Cornish Rex suits a family household (even those with people allergic to cats) where there is always something going on, where they have lots of company and are spoiled with regular petting. If you ideally work from home, this cat is the best friend during the lunch break and for cuddling after work without allergic symptoms.
The Sphynx cat – the sensitive one
- Characteristics
Upper Group: Shorthair
Size: medium
Colour: cream, grey, white
Weight (tomcat): 3.5-7 kg
Weight (cat): 3.5-7 kg
Cost: ~600-1,000 €
- appearance
The Sphynx cat (denoted by its comparability to the Egyptian Sphinx figure) is one of the hairless cat breeds and comes from Canada. She is a medium-sized, muscular cat with strikingly large ears, whose appearance is dainty and elegant. This is probably due to the most striking feature of this breed: their almost hairless body has very little hair. These cats weigh from 3.5 to 7 kilos and grow up to 100 cm long and around 40 cm high. Due to the lack of hair, she can also live with an allergy sufferer who does not want to do without keeping a cat.
- being
In terms of character, the Sphynx cat is considered to be sensitive and affectionate, becomes very tame, and can even be quite pushy when it comes to demanding caresses. She likes it when you cuddle with her and spend a lot of time with her – her thanks are her deep affection.
Sphynx cats are very inquisitive cats who are particularly good at wrapping you or an animal companion around their fingers. The intelligent cat can be very cheeky and almost rebellious, but she also likes to be trained by you.
- attitude/care
If you have a cat allergy and want to keep a cat of this breed, you should consider a few things. The skin of the Sphynx cat emits more heat than that of other cats and is hardly protected from the effects of the sun due to the small, almost invisible fur down. In winter it freezes most of the time and in summer there is a risk of sunburn. It is, therefore, better not to keep these cats as outdoor cats.
In addition, the Sphynx needs more food because it has a higher energy requirement than other cats. The outgoing Sphynx feels most comfortable in the company of other cats and is therefore ideal if you want to keep several cats.
- Who does it suit?
The Sphynx cat is something special and suits exceptional people with cat allergies who are looking for more than just a normal house cat. If you are looking for an animal company that combines the typical characteristics of a cat with the characteristics of a dog, you are in the right place with the magical Sphynx: She is the cat who cuddles with you in front of the fireplace in the evening without triggering symptoms through allergens. Afterward, she’s wonderful to watch as she gracefully and elegantly sneaks around the living room.
The Siberian cat – the uncomplicated one
- Characteristics
Upper Group: Semi-Longhair
Size: medium
Color: multicolored, black, blue, red, cream
Weight (tomcat): 4.5-8 kg
Weight (cat): 3-6 kg
Cost: ~450-700€
- appearance
The Siberian cat is assigned to the “natural breeds” and comes from Russia. She has a strong build with medium-length legs and a dense and water-repellent fur that keeps her warm even in sub-zero temperatures. The Siberian tomcat is a real beast, weighing between 4.5 and 8 kilos (the biggest cats in the world are a bit more impressive though) and considerably heavier than the female cat of this breed, which only weighs 3 to 6 kilos. These cats are of medium stature and grow up to 120 cm in length.
- being
The Siberian cat is easy to care for, active, and very social cat. If you take her to you as a young animal and lovingly integrate her, she develops a very close relationship with you and is affectionate and sometimes cuddly. But she’s not cheeky or rude at all. The Siberian is a down-to-earth companion who, with her lively and bold nature, is interested in everything that happens around her. In order to be able to live out her urge to move, like many cats she also shows a certain willfulness.
- attitude/care
The Siberian cat likes to be with other cats or dogs and does not feel comfortable being kept alone. She is a good hunter and loves to climb and jump. You should therefore be able to provide her with a large scratching post or a garden. She also likes the water but is quite content to live indoors with some exercise.
A spot by the window or even a balcony is ideal for her, as she likes to lounge in the sun. And not only is this breed very easy to care for in terms of character, but coat care is also uncomplicated. Just make sure to brush your pet’s fur regularly. In this way, you also minimize the allergens in the fur.
- Who does she suit?
The Siberian cat is the ideal companion for you if you like to cuddle with your pet and can spend a lot of time with your cat to keep them busy. This breed is considered to be particularly human-related and is therefore well suited if you want to add an additional member to your family.
The Bengal cat – the temperamental one
- Characteristics
Upper Group: Shorthair
Size: medium
Color: multicolored, black, brown, gray
Weight (tomcat): 4-5.5 kg
Weight (cat): 3-4 kg
Cost: ~750-1500 €
- appearance
The agile Bengal cat was bred in the USA and arose from a cross between a wild cat and a domestic cat. This is not only noticeable in their wild cat-like appearance, but also in their character. She is a medium-sized, strong, but very slender animal with a short, shiny coat and beautiful, round paws.
A male Bengal weighs an average of 5 kilos, a cat is slightly lighter at around 4 kilos. (By the way, the smallest cats in the world are even more delicate.) They reach a shoulder height of up to 40 centimeters and are about 110 cm long when fully grown.
- being
Bengals are very active and freedom-loving companions who show their energetic nature wherever they can. Your little friend will be enthusiastic about practicing tricks with you and is characterized by his good comprehension and his clever, inventive, and friendly character. Extremely confident cats, Bengals “say” what they like and don’t like: they can be very talkative with their large vocal repertoire.
- attitude/care
If you want to keep such a house tiger, you should make sure that there is plenty of space: the Bengal cat loves its freedom and needs at least one large scratching post in the apartment. She is also happy to accept a balcony with a wide outdoor enclosure or a secure garden.
Due to her dominant nature, she should be able to grow a second cat – it is best to keep another cat of this breed. Thanks to its fearless character, this cat usually gets along well with dogs for allergy sufferers. Despite their robust nature, the playful animals are also suitable for households with small children.
The short coat of the Bengal does not require a lot of maintenance but should be brushed at regular intervals to prevent hairballs.
- Who does she suit?
The Bengal cat is just right for you if you want an above-average intelligence, a very sporty, and energetic companion who likes to turn the house upside down. This fascinating breed produces only a few allergens and is therefore also suitable if you have a cat allergy. It is good for surprises and daily challenges. It is not called “the dog among cats” for nothing, as it is possible with a little training e.g. B. to teach fetch.
Additional valuable tips for allergy cats
- Choose the right gender
In general, if you have a cat allergy, you should rather get female or neutered male animals, since the production of Fel-Dh1 in these animals is lower than in potent tomcats. - Allergic or not?
If you are not yet sure whether you actually have a cat hair allergy, you can simply use a home test to check whether you are actually allergic to the velvet paws or to something else. - take the test
If you want to try out whether the selected cat is compatible with your allergy, you can see with the breeder how you can get along with the house cat. Alternatively, you can have a hair sample cut off there and take it to the doctor for an allergy test. - Let yourself be desensitized
If you notice any symptoms – no matter what kind – you can talk to your doctor about specific immunotherapy. Their effectiveness has been proven in cat hair allergies. During hyposensitization, a doctor injects you with tiny amounts of the animal allergen so that the body gets used to it. If this therapy works, you can soon pet your little treasure without any symptoms or side effects.