When people develop allergy symptoms around felines, they are reacting to a protein called Fel d 1, which is present in cats’ skin, saliva, and urine. When a cat licks its fur, the saliva containing the Fel d 1 dries into lightweight particles that are carried through the air. Eventually, they land on human hair, clothing and furniture, and can linger for weeks or months, says veterinarian, Dr Kelly St Denis.
The amount of Fel d 1 varies widely among cats, and even within cats at different times of year. “There are not really cats that are 100 percent hypoallergenic,” explains Dr St Denis. “There are some breeds that are thought to produce less of the allergen. Some of the other breeds just shed less hair or dander. So cats might have reduced allergen because they make less or they shed less of their coat into the environment.”
Typically, female cats produce less of the protein than male cats, and neutered males produce less than those who haven’t been fixed. In general, though, the following cute kitties are commonly considered to be the most hypoallergenic cat breeds.