Many pet owners suffer from allergies, and cats that are considered hypoallergenic can help to alleviate some of the symptoms. While no cat is completely hypoallergenic, certain breeds are less likely to cause a reaction in people with allergies.
With their distinctive striped coats, tabbies are among the most popular cats for cat lovers. When it comes to whether they’re hypoallergenic, though, is where the confusion sets in. Some tabby cats are less likely to set off allergies than others, while some will set off even minor allergies. This depends on the tabby cat’s breed and the number of allergens that they produce.
There’s a great deal of confusion about which cats are hypoallergenic or not, including tabbies. We hope that this guide helps clear the air.
What Are Tabby Cats?
Considering how popular tabby cats are, it’s not surprising that many people consider them a breed of their own. This isn’t the case. The term “tabby” refers to the striped markings on a cat’s coat rather than their breed.
The coat pattern of tabby cats — from their tiger-like stripes to the M on their heads — occurs in many breeds, including American Shorthairs, Maine Coons, and Ragdolls.
There are also five different tabby coat patterns:
- Classic
- Mackerel
- Patched
- Spotted
- Ticked
Why Are You Allergic to Your Cat?
Allergies are caused by an overreaction by your immune system to an allergen. An allergen can be anything from dust and pollen to your cat — or rather, a specific protein that their bodies produce.
Cats produce a protein known as Fel d 1 in their saliva, skin, and urine. This protein is what causes allergy sufferers to have an allergic reaction around cats. When your cat grooms themselves, they spread their saliva — allergen protein included — across their coat. The saliva then dries and becomes airborne. You can also get it on your hands when you pet your cat, and they will shed their fur around the house. Either way, when you breathe the allergens in, it triggers an overactive response from your immune system.
Can Cats Be Hypoallergenic?
Unlike many hypoallergenic items, like specially designed pillows or silver earrings, there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat. While many cat breeds are believed to be hypoallergenic, they’re just as likely to set off allergies as their fellow cats. They are, however, known to produce less dander and thus, fewer of the proteins that cause allergies.
Since all cats have saliva and groom themselves regularly, all cats will set off allergies. However, certain breeds can be more suitable for cat owners with allergies depending on how much they shed, if they have fur and the amount of saliva that they produce.
Cats like the Bengal, Russian Blue, and the Sphynx, among others, are considered hypoallergenic because they produce less dander and protein than other breeds. However, this doesn’t mean they won’t set off your allergies at all. It’s still a good idea to use air purifiers and vacuum regularly to avoid provoking allergic reactions.
When it comes to tabby cats, how much dander and protein they produce depends on what breed they are. Being a tabby simply means they have distinctive stripes on their coat, including an M-mark on their foreheads. It’s their breed that determines whether they’ll produce more or fewer allergens than other cats.
Final Thoughts
Tabby cats aren’t a breed of their own. Their name refers to the striped patterning of their coats. As a result, it’s not easy to say whether a tabby cat will set off allergies or not. It depends on their breed.
While there’s technically no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat, some breeds can be less likely to set off your allergies than others. This depends on the severity of your immune response to allergens like your cat’s saliva.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
