Do You Need A Hypoallergenic Cat?

Ten to fifteen percent of people in the United States are allergic to dogs or cats, cats being the most common allergy by far. Unfortunately, many of these people love cats, or have children or life partners who do, so they sniffle and sneeze their way through the days, wishing someone would invent a hypoallergenic cat.

When people speak of being allergic to cats, they often believe they are allergic to cat fur. In fact, the allergy is caused by a protein secreted by the cat's skin and salivary glands. When the cat licks itself (and we all know cats are indefatigable groomers) the saliva/protein mixture dries into a powder like substance that coats the cat's living space.

Over the years, desperate pet lovers have tried many breeds and types of feline to find a hypoallergenic cat.

Short Haired Cats

Since the problem is with the cat's skin, and not with it's fur, getting a short-haired cat doesn't help curtail allergies.

Siberian Cats

Some people whose allergies are usually triggered by cats find that they can own Siberian cats with no reaction. This has led some to call the Siberian a hypoallergenic cat. Scientists speculate that the Siberian secretes less of the protein that causes allergies in humans. Purebred Siberians cost around $500.

Rex Cats

Devon Rex and Cornish Rex cats both have both been billed as hypoallergenic cats by some fans. They have very light coats of fur. Because they still secrete the protein that causes allergies, however, most cat allergy sufferers will continue to experience allergy symptoms around them. Rex cats cost between $500 and $700.

Hairless Cats

Some people are so frustrated by their allergies, they decide to get hairless cats, thinking they can't possibly be allergic to a pet without hair. Sphinx cats cost between $900 and $1200, which makes it doubly disappointing when they trigger allergy symptoms. Hairless or not, Sphinxes produce enough allergens on their skin to cause a reaction in many allergic cat lovers.

Gender/Color

Studies have shown that female cats produce fewer allergens than do male cats, and that light-colored cats produce fewer allergens than do dark-colored cats. While this finding is scientifically, however, it doesn't make much practical difference to the allergy sufferer.

ALLERCA Hypoallergenic Cat

In 2004, a company named ALLECRA claimed to have bred a genuine hypoallergenic cat--one that would not produce allergens. ALLECRA claims that their specialty cats are sweet, friendly, free of genetic defects, and long-lived (although of course it's too soon to tell about the latter claim). Scientific studies so far have shown that in ALLECRA cats the amount of protein that causes allergies is so small as to be undetectable. The price tag for this perfect pet? $3,950.

It's a lot cheaper to keep buying Kleenex.