The Best Cat Breeds for People with Allergies

Let's face it, a cat allergy is not pretty. Sneezing, hives, itchy eyes, and even severe asthma attacks can happen when a furry friend is underfoot. To make matters worse, cat allergies are fairly prevalent: As it turns out, people are twice as likely to be allergic to cats than dogs. Does this mean that you can't bring home a purring cat if you've experienced allergic reactions in the past? Simply put, it depends. Common belief is that the amount of hair or fur on an animal is what causes allergies. However, cat geneticist Leslie Lyons, who runs the University of Missouri's Feline and Comparative Genetics Laboratory, says this isn't true. "You're not allergic to the hair; you're allergic to proteins that are in their saliva." And when people talk about a cat's dander, what they mean (or should be meaning) are these proteins.

Here's the science: Fel d 1 protein is found in the cat's skin, saliva, and urine. When a cat cleans itself by licking its fur, the Fel d 1-laden saliva dries and turns into an airborne allergen. This is added to the fact that the owner has it on their hands after petting the cat and can spread it to other surfaces; plus, cats inhabit almost every nook and cranny of a home, making the allergen widespread.

Still craving a cat companion and wondering if a hypoallergenic breed exists—you know, one producing fewer allergens? According to Lyons, all cats can cause allergies—even the hairless ones—and individual pets may vary. The best thing to do? Meet and greet with your feline friend first. And with all that being said, there are some breeds that experts say tend to produce fewer allergic reactions. While allergies will always vary from person to person, these are the top cat breeds known to be more allergy-friendly.