When looking to adopt a new furry friend, it’s important to consider if you have any underlying allergies that could affect you negatively. Munchkin cats are characterized by their smaller bodies and adorable stature, but they are, unfortunately, not hypoallergenic. This means that if you are known to have allergies to other people’s pets, the Munchkin may not be the best choice.
Read on below to find out why.
What Makes a Cat Hypoallergenic?
Hypoallergenic animals are those that don’t tend to produce the things that most people are allergic to, which are dander, saliva, and fur. If there is a cat breed that produces more fur than others, they are most likely to produce more dander, and as a result, more allergens.
Hypoallergenic cats are classified as those that either have no fur at all or don’t shed much, if at all. Less fur essentially equals less dander and shedding so there is less in the home for someone to negatively react to.
Why are Munchkin Cats Not Hypoallergenic?
Well, they shed! Munchkin cats are not furless or low shedders. They shed a moderate amount of fur in comparison to other breeds. This means that their fur will get on your clothes, furniture, and in the air, potentially causing allergic reactions.
However, they don’t shed extreme amounts of fur and their dander will be lower than other breeds, like a Rag Doll or other long-haired breeds. It would be good to pinpoint how bad your allergies are to cats before choosing a Munchkin.
What Hypoallergenic Cats Exist?
There aren’t necessarily any cat breeds that don’t cause any allergies at all. This is because unless it’s a hairless cat, their fur will irritate people with allergies, and even hairless cats will still shed saliva and skin, which are also potential allergens. Fur can easily float around in the air or attach to your clothing and it can easily cling onto your furniture. It will eventually get close enough to your skin and face to cause an allergic reaction.
All cats produce the Fel d 1 protein. This protein comes from a cat’s saliva, urine, and skin, so no cats are truly hypoallergenic. That said, some cats are less prone to cause allergies than others as they produce less of the Fel d 1 protein than other cats. These include:
Final Thoughts
If you’re asking yourself whether a Munchkin cat is right for you, consider the level of your allergies to pets. If you’ve only experienced sneezing fits around your friend’s long-haired cats, you may want to reconsider and opt for one of the more hypoallergenic breeds we listed above.
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