Cats are wonderful creatures and are beloved by many, making them one of the most popular pets around the world.
However, cats come with a few issues that can put a lot of people off getting them. One of these main issues is shedding.
A lot of cats shed their fur, which means that your home will quickly be overrun with lots of fine cat hair that will cling to your furniture, carpet, and clothing.
Plus, these hairs can wreak havoc on those with allergies, meaning that a lot of people who love cats believe that they cannot ever own their own pet kitty due to their shedding fur.
But all is not lost – there are plenty of breeds of cat that are actually non shedding! This means that they do not shed their fur so your home and clothing can be practically cat hair free!
Of course, you will get the odd hair here and there but nothing compared to the amount of hairs from a single shedding cat!
So – if this sounds like the ideal solution to your problem, here are five of the best non shedding cats so you can choose your favorite breed and enjoy your own pet kitty at home!
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Why Do Cats Shed?
Shedding is a natural part of a cat’s life where its fur falls out, allowing for new fur hairs to grow in its place.
Typically, a cat sheds around twice a year – once to let its heavy winter coat to grow in, and then to shed that heavy winter coat and grow a lighter one for the spring and summer.
However, not all cats shed and some shed less than others. So, sometimes those who have an allergy to cat fur can get away with owning a cat as long as they get a breed that does not shed or sheds very little!
Cats are self-groomers, which means they usually take care of themselves when it comes to washing, however they do need help removing this loose fur.
Leaving a cat to do it themselves means that they could end up heaving fur balls or causing internal blockages due to ingesting loose hairs while grooming.
This means that all cat owners need to be prepared for frequent brushing sessions – and the more your cat sheds, the more you will have to help them out.
This is why short haired cats are so popular – they require less maintenance and grooming, so they leave fewer hairs and saliva everywhere and thus, are a better choice for those with allergies.
Is There Such Thing As A Hypoallergenic Cat?
Despite popular belief, there is actually no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat.
However, some cats are better for those with allergies than others. This could be because of how much protein the cats produce.
But many people still don’t like cats who shed so much fur because it creates a mess around their home.
Even if you are not allergic to fur, you may be allergic to cat’s saliva. This still means that you should get a cat who does not shed.
Because the less fur they shed, the less saliva soaked fur they will leave around your home. This is because cats groom themselves and will often leave hairs that they have licked around your house.
Now, let’s take a look at some of our favorite non shedding cats out there!
Sphynx
The Sphynx cat is the ultimate pet kitty for those with severe allergies to cat fur!
Sphinxes are actually hairless cats, meaning that they lack the typical fur coat found on most cats.
Although, they are not entirely ‘hairless’ as they have a slight coat of fuzz around their body – similar to the fur on a peach! Yet they look bare and hairless as you can see the rolls of their skin clearly.
Leaving them with a pale pink color that makes them appear like a shaved cat.
Their hairlessness is actually caused by a naturally occurring genetic mutation after kittens were born hairless and specifically bred for this hairless gene.
This is what makes Sphinxes instantly recognizable. However, Sphinxes are iconic and easily recognizable not just for their hairless bodies. They are also well known for their small heads and large ears.
Because of their lack of fur, Sphinxes are the ultimate choice for those in need of a non-fluffy cat.
They are very loving and affectionate, although their lack of fur does mean that they usually require a lot of health care and attention – including their own baths and skin routine!
They also lose a lot of body heat because of this lack of fur, so they need their own sweaters and blankets in order to keep warm during cold weather.
So, if you are thinking of adding a Sphinx cat to your family, make sure that you have the time to give them the care and attention they need and deserve.
Of course, Sphinxes are not the only hairless cats – there are other breeds like the Donskoy and Peterbald – but they are definitely our favorite due to their loving and extroverted nature!
Bengal
For those who love big cats and want a version of their own, then Bengal cats are adored for their close relationship to their wild cousins!
Their coats feature similar patterns to lots of big cats including the iconic stripes of a tiger and the rosettes that are similar to those on a leopard.
Their coats also come in a range of colors including red, brown and gray, plus they also have a stunning golden shimmer that they also inherit from their leopard ancestors.
But the best thing about these cat’s fur coats is that they barely shed any fur!
Because Bengal cats barely shed their fur, they are a perfect choice for those who want a stunningly beautiful cat that will not leave hairs all over their furniture and clothes.
In fact, they only require a weekly brushing to remove their loose hair and dead skin cells, making them a great pick of breed for those who want a low-maintenance cat.
But these low shedding, colorful coats are not the only things Bengal cats have inherited from their wild ancestors – they are also very large and muscular.
So they are sure to jump to high places and watch you from afar. They are very intelligent and curious cats who need a lot of stimulation, but they make adorable and fun pets!
Russian Blue
These loyal and sweet-tempered kitties are adored for so many reasons, including their gentle personalities and gorgeous fur coats.
This breed of cat has strong royal roots as it is believed to be descended from cats kept by Russian Czars.
Russian Blues are well known for their stunning appearance as their coats are dark gray with a silvery tinge to them, making them appear mystical and mysterious.
Their fur is very dense and plush due to their double coat but this lovely coat sheds very little fur, meaning that they require low maintenance and are a great choice for those with allergies.
However, although their coat requires little maintenance, they do require a lot of care and attention.
Russian Blues are very vocal cats and they will make sure you can hear them when they feel hungry (which is all the time!).
Their high intelligence means that they need constant stimulation and a fair amount of exercise.
They will play with anything, so make sure you cat-proof some of your more precious belongings. Despite this, Russian Blues are a luxurious breed of cat beloved for their playful personalities.
So, if you are looking for a fun-loving feline who is a great choice for those with allergies, then picking out a Russian Blue is definitely recommended.
Burmese
Burmese cats are very high and mighty. They definitely love to rule the roost by finding somewhere high to sit and watch, acting just like a king on a throne!
They are very territorial kitties who don’t always get along with other cats, but they are sure to love their owner.
These short-haired cats feature a very smooth, glossy coat that comes in lots of different colors – champagne, fawn, red, cream, chocolate, blue, and tortoiseshell just to name a few!
Because their coats are so short and smooth, they require very low grooming and maintenance.
However, you should still help them out with a weekly brushing session to help prevent them from ingesting their own hairs and causing internal blockages.
Burmese cats are very similar to their close related cousin, the Siamese cat, but Burmese made our list due to their curious behavior.
They can adapt easily to changes and love to sit in windows, staring at the world outside. They are great at climbing, very stocky, and love a lot of attention from their owners.
Although they are known for not getting along very well with cats of other breeds, Burmese cats are still very loving and friendly towards people and other Burmese cats.
Bombay
Bombay cats are very curious creatures that love to play and receive attention from their owners. Because of this, they are very easy to love and this makes amazing pets!
These black kitties have a lot of personality as they walk with a certain sway to them that is reminiscent of big wild cats like leopards.
Not only that, but their short haired coats are also similar to the coat of leopards as both are very smooth and do not shed often.
Because of this, they are a great pick for those who want a hair-free home – but remember to step up and brush your Bombay cat at least weekly to help them out.
A weekly brushing session will not only keep your home hair free, but also help the coat retain its glossy appearance.
Bombay cats are stunning creatures who love to climb and play. They keep their kitten-like playfulness for much longer than other kinds of cats.
Meaning that they are also very affectionate and love receiving a lot of attention.
So, if you want a loving cat who does not leave hair everywhere around your home, the Bombay cat is definitely a solid breed to go with!
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Conclusion
And those were five amazing non shedding breeds of cat for those who hate cleaning up lots of cat hair and suffer from allergies. Although there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat.
There are definitely certain breeds that are more allergy-friendly than others and the few cats above, such as Sphinx and Bombay, are great picks to choose.
Everyone deserves a pet cat that they can shower with love and attention even if they have allergies, so just choose one of the breeds above to get the best of both worlds!
Learn More about Cats Here.
