If you love cats as much as I do, but someone in your home is allergic to them, don’t give up hope. There is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic cat.
These lovable animals produce the Fel D1 protein through their saliva, which causes allergies. However, some breeds produce a fairly low amount of this protein, making them the perfect hypoallergenic lap cats.
Plus, quite a few of these breeds also shed considerably less than other cat breeds, so say goodbye to fur all over the place.
However, allergies are also caused by a cat’s skin particles or dander. So, if you or someone you live with is extremely sensitive to cats, getting advice from the breeder before welcoming a new love ball into the house is a good idea.
No matter the case, here are the 17 best hypoallergenic lap cats that will brighten up anyone’s day.
17 Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds
1. Siberian Cats
My feline friend, Alexei, is a Siberian, so my love for this beautiful breed is fairly obvious. With a thick, luxurious coat, Siberian cat’s colors range from brown and black to glistening silver. They’re also affectionate hypoallergenic cats with a personality perfect for any home.
Siberians are also known as being one of the most hypoallergenic cats despite their long hair. This is because their saliva has one of the lowest levels of Fel D1 of any domestic cat breed.
They’re laid-back but enjoy playing and are very attached to their humans. You’ll often find your Siberian cat following along behind you and rubbing its face on you every chance it gets.
As you may expect, this loving cat comes from Siberia, so they’re well suited to cold conditions, but don’t be surprised if they sleep more in winter. It’s an ancient breed thought to be ancestral to all modern long-haired cats.
Now that’s quite the pedigree, and did I mention that they are super cuddly hypoallergenic cats? They really are the complete package.
2. Russian Blue Cats
With emerald eyes and a luxurious silvery-gray coat, Russian Blues are a startlingly pretty breed. The Russian Blue is sweet-tempered and fine-featured, with long legs that allow it to run at high speeds.
Like Siberians, Russian Blue Cats have lower levels of Fel D1 protein than other cat breeds. Plus, their thick and dense coat sheds less, so it emits far less of the protein.
This expensive cat breed really enjoys playing and requires a good bit of attention when you get home. Although, they do enjoy napping in a quiet corner and tend to shy away from large groups.
These low-allergy cats are often demanding at mealtimes and can get quite chunky if you’re not firm. Russian Blue cats are another very intelligent breed, so it’s important to provide enough mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy.
With their low-maintenance lifestyle, these calm hypoallergenic cats are perfect for small households or couples looking for another family member.
3. Sphynx Cats
A very pricey and unique cat breed is the regal Sphynx. Well-known for its hairless coat, the Sphynx cat is wonderfully friendly and playful – and they’re certainly striking.
The Sphynx cat breed is not actually hairless – it’s covered in a light downy layer of hair that feels like suede or peach fuzz. That said, it’s one of those hypoallergenic cats that don’t shed and like to cuddle (a lot).
The Sphynx breed still has the Fel D1 protein in its saliva. So if you suffer from allergies, washing your hands after petting them is a good option.
Despite their stern expression, Sphynx cats are energetic and often goofy tricksters. Acrobatic, energetic, and curious, you’ll see them bouncing around the home with enthusiasm. They’re also very loyal cats that love to get involved in just about everything. This is just one of the many reasons that they’re fantastic family-friendly cats.
Because of their energetic and loving personality, the Sphynx takes a fair bit of work. They’re also susceptible to sunburn, skin damage, and getting cold easily. This makes them best suited to the indoors – but there are cat sweaters you can get to keep your Sphynx snug and safe.
4. Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex is a fairly unusual-looking cat with a triangular-shaped head. As a result, it’s pretty hard not to notice its large eyes and ears. The eyes of the Cornish Rex cat tend to be golden, although they can vary.
When the Cornish Rex breed has fur, it tends to be curly and sit close to its skin, which means that this breed sheds less than others. Some Cornish Rex cats have no fur at all. As they shed little to nothing, they put out less of the Fel D1 protein, which makes them one of the best cats for allergies.
This cat breed is often compared to greyhound dogs due to their sleek appearance and long, lolling running action. It’s a very adventurous breed that loves to explore and will keep its playful demeanor long after you’ve seen it grow up as a kitten.
5. Devon Rex
This is another cat breed with a curly short-haired coat, so grooming and shedding are things of the past.
The mischievous Devon Rex cat, or the pixie cat, is a loving and loyal feline breed. They make the ideal companions, welcome family, and friends’ attention, and are great with kids and other pets.
This cat breed emerged in England during the late 1950s and is similar to the Cornish Rex cat breed.
These felines are intelligent, active, and require regular stimulation. Devon Rex cats are jumpers, and their favorite place is at head level, so perches and cat trees are essential.
The moderately active cat enjoys learning and playing fetch, so interactive toys will also help keep him occupied while you’re out earning money.
This indoor cat breed has a slender body with long legs, large eyes, and high cheekbones. They shouldn’t be brushed as their fur is prone to breakage. Instead, gently rub the Devon Rex cat weekly with a cloth to keep them well-groomed.
6. Siamese
The popular Siamese cat breed will hardly shed if you brush your kitty regularly. Siamese cats are one of the most adored and famous cat breeds. They are intelligent, talkative (be ready for lots of meowing), and lovely-natured felines, making ideal family pets.
Naming your Siamese cat is also the highlight of having these outgoing purrers, as their personality will almost always suit the name you pick.
These cats have unique short coats, light-colored bodies, and silky smooth fur. They are hypoallergenic cats that don’t shed as much as other breeds, so they output less Fel D1.
Their face, paws, and tails are darker than the rest of their bodies. While they are great indoor cats, they seek companionship from their owners, including sleeping on laps and snuggling in bed.
Their sleek short coats also highlight their proportionately large ears.
Siamese cats are often labeled as “dog-like” because they enjoy following their humans around and enjoy playtime. So stocking up on active cat toys is a fantastic idea. As they are one of the most affectionate hypoallergenic cats, this breed should not be left alone at home for extended periods.
7. Bengal
This short-haired cat breed sheds less frequently than other cat breeds, requires less grooming maintenance from their owners, and emits a low amount of Fel D1.
Bengal cats are one of the newer cat breeds, combining the Asian leopard cat and a US domestic cat. These affectionate cats are energetic and playful.
The pearl or gold dusting or glitter effect is a distinctive feature of their thick and lustrous coat. This is one of the many features of the lovely Bengal species that makes it one of the cutest hypoallergenic cats around.
The breed is also known for its black-rimmed and almond-shaped eyes and distinctive whisker pads. Add to this their thick tail that often finishes in a black tapered tip, and you have one seriously cute cat.
They are also curious and alert cats that must blow off steam daily. So it’s a good idea to have open spaces for them to run around and play in.
8. Burmese
The Burmese breed has a short, fine coat that loses less hair than other cat breeds.
Their coats are short, silky, and low-maintenance, only requiring a weekly brush or combing to remove dead hair. And that short soft hair sets off their gorgeous large, round, and gleaming green eyes.
PS. They’re also one of the few hypoallergenic black cats, so their cuteness is upped tenfold.
The Burmese are friendly, personable, and kind kitties. With Siamese ancestors, these felines are playful and affectionate but not clingy. Burmese cats are often characterized as a “rock wrapped in silk” because they’re much heavier than they appear.
Younger Burmese cats are curious and active, and as they get older, they become placid and prefer to watch rather than get involved in activities. You’ll often see them sleeping in funny positions on a windowsill or at the corner of a sofa, snagging the sunlight.
Burmese cats are excellent jumpers and climbers and should have cat perches or something to climb on.
9. Ocicat
Ocicats have short, smooth coats which don’t tend to shed, particularly when regularly groomed. This playful cat breed loves a lot of attention, and while it resembles a wild cat, it’s very playful and loving.
They are medium to large cat breeds, with markings distributed across their bodies – and each hair on their coat contains more than one color.
The Ocicat breed was created by crossing Siamese and Abyssinian cats and later bred with an American domestic shorthair. This is what has given them their large ears. The breed was registered in 1966, so they’ve been a staple in many homes for quite a while now.
Ocicats love to play and will see most items in your home as potential toys. They are also friendly cats who like to welcome strangers. They don’t like being alone and get bored easily, so a sibling is often a good idea.
They are highly energetic and intelligent, so they need lots of stimuli. Ocicat’s hypoallergenic properties make them a fantastic furry companion for those susceptible to allergies. They don’t have any special exercise needs, and unlike many other cats, they like water, so watch out if you’re having a bath.
10. Balinese
The Balinese cat breed began as a mutation of the Siamese cat breed. They are very similar to the Siamese cat breed but have longer coats and rarely weigh more than 11 lbs. The Balinese cat also emits less Fel D1 protein than other cat breeds.
This is a stylish and sleek breed with the same deep blue eyes as the Siamese – add in their gorgeous silky long coat, so it’s one good-looking cat. Their sleek, silky coats also highlight their proportionately large ears.
Balinese cats are known to be intelligent, friendly, and playful. They can also be quite vocal and rather demanding – part of that intelligence, these kitties know what they want!
This breed also likes attention and shouldn’t be left alone for long periods. So if you are after an independent and introverted type of kitty, this isn’t the breed for you. But if you’re looking for one of the most affectionate cat breeds, this hypoallergenic gem is perfect.
11. Javanese Cats
The Javanese is a blue-eyed cat breed developed from a mix of Siamese, Balinese, and Colorpoint breeds. While they appear delicate, they are actually quite muscular and love jumping and climbing.
This intelligent cat breed loves to learn tricks and new skills. They love to help out and enjoy following and often supervising their favorite humans.
Javanese cats will also play fetch and even enjoy cat walking. Or if they are kept indoors, you may find them visiting you when you sleep, relaxing on the couch, or anywhere in the house.
12. LaPerm
The LaPerm is a Rex breed (curly coated) like the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex. These small cats grow to a maximum of 10 lbs in males and 8 lbs in females. LaPerms can be both short-haired and long-haired. This extroverted and bright cat breed is great for kids and families.
This curly coat means less shedding, so less dander is emitted and thus fewer allergy reactions.
13. Peterbald
The Peterbald cat is a strange little fellow. With hairless, gray-silver skin, a slanted face, and large pointy ears, this Russian cat breed has certainly earned its place on this list of hypoallergenic cats.
Created from experimental breeding, this cat first popped its head out in 1994 at St. Petersburg. This is why it’s named Peterbald (I’m sure you can guess where the bald part comes from), making it one of the rarer cat breeds.
Originally a cross between a hairless Donskoy and an Oriental Shorthair, these cats quickly grew in popularity in their home country.
Since Peterbald cats don’t have any fur to keep them warm, they need to be kept indoors during the cooler seasons, as they can get feline hypothermia.
They require more cat care than other breeds, as they must be bathed weekly to keep their coats from getting oily and attracting dirt.
These cats have wonderfully affectionate personalities and are often found shadowing their loved ones. Peterbald cats love attention and are very active in general, as well as loyal and loving. Their personalities are regularly likened to that of canines.
So if you haven’t decided whether you’re more of a cat or a dog person, the Peterbald is a great choice, and it’s unlikely that you’ll find many other examples of this cat breed in your neighborhood!
14. Minskin
Minskin cats have quite stocky bodies and rather short legs. Their coat is unique due to its lack of fur. The Minskin breed was created from the Sphynx and is a relatively new breed of cat that was first developed in 1998 in Boston.
The breeder crossed his Munchkin cat with a Sphynx for a healthier immune system. By 2005, 50 cats could be called Minskins, and this new breed was recognized.
As you will have seen throughout this post, rare cat breeds are often quite new, meaning they have yet to breed extensively. So getting your hands on one of these mini love balls won’t be easy.
15. The Dwelf
This relatively new cat breed has elf-like features and a dwarf-like stature. This little guy is hairless and tends not to weigh more than 9 lbs. The breed was created from a mix of the Sphynx, Munchkin, and American Curl breeds.
The Dwelf cat is a highly sociable breed with a personality that some describe as almost dog-like. They like to be around people and to be included in activities, so they are terrific cats for families.
16. Colorpoint Shorthair
The colorpoint shorthair originates from the Siamese cat. They are a cross of Siamese cats and the American shorthair breeds. Thanks to its mix of Siamese, the colorpoint shorthair’s hypoallergenic properties make them the perfect friend if you’re allergy prone.
They also shed far less hair than other cat breeds, so it’s a real win-win.
17. Oriental Shorthair
This affectionate cat is a charming and loyal pet who loves people. He is quite a talker and doesn’t like being on his own. Another descendant of the Siamese cat, these short-haired bundles of joy don’t tend to shed much.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hypoallergenic Cats
Once you have your cat home, there are several things that you can do to reduce the effect of any allergic reactions. Comb or brush your cute kitty regularly to remove fur. Wash your hands frequently, particularly after petting your cat.
Don’t let your cat sleep on you or your bed – I know it’s much harder than it sounds. And get rid of fur or dander by regularly vacuuming your carpets and soft furnishings.
Simply put, whether you are allergic or not, these hypoallergenic lap cats are perfect for any home.
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This hypoallergenic lap cats post contains affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase, I will most likely receive a small commission. This won’t affect the price you pay. Just wanted to make sure you knew.
Amanda created and owns The Discerning Cat. A lifelong cat lover she is the proud parent of two Siberian cats, Alexei and Vladimir. She is passionate about understanding cats and different cat breeds.
