Allergies can hold you back from fully enjoying many aspects of life, including pets. If you are prone to suffer from allergies, it can be extremely challenging to choose a pet cat fits your lifestyle. Fortunately, there are some animals that produce less allergens than others and can often be enjoyed by people who typically struggle with allergies. If you want to have a cat as a pet but worry about the potential for allergies, consider the cat breeds listed below. These six breeds of cats are often said to be hypoallergenic because they produce minimal dander and/or produce less of the Fel d 1 Protein, which is often the source of cat allergies.

Is your cat experiencing trouble with allergies? The Vet on Fourth offers Allergy & Dermatology services for your fur baby.

Javanese

The Javanese is a breed of cat that has a single coat. The lack of an undercoat means that the Javanese sheds less and may be a good choice for someone who suffers from allergies. This breed of cat is intelligent, communicative, playful, and affectionate.

Sphynx

The Sphynx is a hairless breed of cat. If dander is the root cause of your allergy to cats, then the Sphynx is a great breed to consider. This breed of cat is active, loyal, and can be affectionate toward people. If you are considering the Sphynx, it is important to note that they require frequent ear cleanings and baths.

Devon Rex

The Devon Rex breed of cat has a small amount of short fur. Shedding is minimal because the amount of fur is minimal, making it a potentially good choice for allergy sufferers. This type of cat is affectionate and often draws attention with its unique appearance created by an oval-shaped head and large ears.

Cornish Rex

The Cornish Rex has a coat that feels like suede and has a similar amount of fur as the Devon Rex. Shedding from this breed of cat is very minimal. If you suffer from dander allergies, the Cornish Rex may be the right choice for you. This breed of cat is playful, active, and sociable.

Siberian

The Siberian has a long coat and does not seem like a typical choice for people suffering from allergies, but the Siberian breed produces lower levels of the Fel d 1 Protein than many other breeds. A large percentage of people with cat allergies are reacting to the presence of the Fel d 1 Protein. If your allergy to cats is due to the Fel d 1 Protein—as opposed to dander—then this type of cat could be a great option. They are affectionate, playful, intelligent, and love to jump.

Balinese

The Balinese is very similar to the Siberian in that it has long fur and produces the Fel d 1 Protein at lower levels than other breeds. Balinese cats are communicative, social, and can be impacted by the moods of the people in their lives.

Cats With The Lowest Fel d 1 Protein Levels

To review: In order to determine which cat breed is right for you, you must start by figuring out if your allergy is related to dander, shedding, or the Fel d 1 Protein. Once you narrow down the root cause of your allergy you can choose a hypoallergenic cat breed accordingly.

Here’s a summary of cat breeds that may have comparatively low levels of the Fel d 1 protein:

• Siberian
• Javanese
• Sphynx
• Balinese
• Russian Blue
• Bengal

RELATED: The best dog breeds for people with allergies.