What to do if your soul asks for a puppy or kitten, and when you first look at the animal you immediately grab your handkerchief? How to overcome allergies? Medicines? Not necessary. It turns out that there are many hypoallergenic animals (including hypoallergenic dog and cat breeds) that will not cause you any inconvenience.
Hypoallergenic beast
It’s easy to guess that the most hypoallergenic creatures on the planet are those that don’t leave fur all over the apartment, don’t slobber on their owner’s slippers, and don’t go to the litter box to relieve themselves. If you want to get yourself an animal that does not provoke allergies, opt for fish or think about reptiles. Turtles, snakes, lizards... they are all absolutely safe for allergy sufferers.
Another original solution- chinchilla. Scientists have proven that the most hypoallergenic animal that is not covered with scales and does not live in an aquarium is the chinchilla. An active animal, prone to running and simply adoring affection, will be a wonderful way out of the situation.
If you are absolutely determined to buy a dog or cat, it is important to know the following: the hypoallergenicity of an animal is largely influenced not only by its breed, but also by the activity, size and compliance by the owners with hygienic standards for keeping a pet. Now the details:
Hygiene. Frequent bathing and brushing your animal will reduce the risk of allergic reactions. Shedding, dirty paws and stale litter in the cat's litter box will aggravate the situation and negatively affect your well-being.
Animal activity. Constant running around promotes the spread of fur, so a calm animal is ideal for an allergy sufferer. In addition, dog barking contributes to the spread of allergens contained in the animal's saliva. Cats are completely harmless in this sense.
Animal size. Everything is simple here: the smaller the animal, the fewer allergens it contains.
There was also a study that allegedly established the dependence of the hypoallergenicity of cats on the color of their coat. It has been found that owners of black cats suffer from allergies almost twice as often as owners of cats with light fur.
Now let’s look at the lists of the most hypoallergenic breeds of cats and dogs so that you can navigate the choice of a pet.
Hypoallergenic cat breeds
1. Don Sphynx
The most hypoallergenic of cat breeds, obviously due to their hairlessness. A small and completely hairless cat, friendly and sociable, but with an extremely specific appearance, will completely protect you from allergies.
2. Abyssinian
A short-haired cat, playful and affectionate, very active, but at the same time does not cause allergies in its owners.
3. Cornish Rex
A short-haired cat, very lively and sociable, not lacking in intelligence. Manifestations of allergies among the owners of this cat are minimal.
4. Scottish Fold
A very unpretentious short-haired cat, sometimes shy, but still very sociable. Manifestations of allergies to fold-eared cats do occur, but are very rare.
5. British
A very calm and affectionate short-haired cat, large, balanced and causing a minimum of allergic reactions.
Hypoallergenic dog breeds
1. Australian Silky Terrier
A miniature short-legged dog, very active and cheerful, covered with long, straight and fine hair. A special feature of the Silky Terrier is the absence of undercoat. The dog needs to be combed and washed regularly, but with proper care it is completely hypoallergenic.
2. American Hairless Terrier
Strong, very active, hairless dog. Unlike other hairless breeds, the American Hairless Terrier does not suffer from constant skin problems. This breed also needs proper education and regular training.
3. Peruvian orchid
Another hairless breed. Graceful, fragile, fine-boned dogs with a gentle disposition, friendliness and devotion. They need constant care - their skin needs to be lubricated with moisturizer and careful care must be taken to ensure that the dog does not get sunburn or frostbite.
4. Bedlington Terrier
A curly “lamb” with a tuft on its head. Very kind and intelligent dogs with a specific way of shedding - the fallen hairs remain in the curls and do not fall on the floor. The main thing is not to forget to comb the dog, thereby removing dead hair.
5. Bichon Frize
Smart and friendly miniature dogs that can be litter trained. There is no shedding, so the Bichon Frize is recognized as one of the most hypoallergenic dog breeds.
6. Irish Water Spaniel
Large, strong, but very friendly dog. There is no shedding, and the delicate curls of water spaniels do not require painstaking daily care.
7. Kerry Blue Terrier
Hardy, very strong, incredibly sociable dog. Loves children, can be a watchman and a rat catcher. She is not prone to shedding, although the abundance and thickness of her fur makes an extremely misleading impression on allergy sufferers.
Smart, loyal, truly intelligent dog. Does not shed and has no unpleasant odor, and therefore is not only an ideal companion for children, but also a wonderful pet for any allergy sufferer.
9. Schnauzer
A very curious, active and friendly dog. Schnauzers have long, curly hair, but it does not shed and therefore does not cause pronounced allergic reactions.
10. Chinese Crested Dog
It practically does not shed, has a gentle disposition, a fragile exterior and poor health, which is why it requires constant care and veterinary supervision.
If you are planning to take a pet into your home:
1. Do “allergy tests” - allergy tests (they are now done in many clinics and laboratories) to at least partially find out whether or not you have a tendency to allergies.
2. Talk in advance with the previous owner of the dog/cat (breeder or curator - from whom you will take the animal) about the possibility of returning the animal to them within some time if you are found to have an allergy. Be prepared that if you develop an allergy to an animal, you will have to spend a lot of time and effort finding a new home for your pet.
Until recently, it was believed that a person with hypersensitivity and you shouldn’t think about starting pet. We previously wrote about, but now let’s talk about cats and other animals that a person with such an illness can have.
Devon rex considered a hypoallergenic breed. As a rule, allergies in humans are caused not only by cat hair, but also by the release of the animal protein FEL D1 in the saliva. During the licking process, it remains on the fur, and the fur remains on clothes and furniture. The Devon Rex practically does not shed, its fur is not as thick as that of ordinary domestic cats, and the process of “washing” occurs much less frequently.
Sphinx- one of the breeds of hairless cats, so people with allergies can keep them at home. Accordingly, cats do not lick themselves and do not leave fur behind. IN in rare cases An allergic person may have a reaction to animal sweat. Sphynx cats also need regular bathing, and special attention should be paid to the folds on the body. True, this breed easily tolerates water treatments, and it won’t be too difficult for you to wash it properly.
Do they get along or not? decorative rabbits with allergy sufferers - controversial issue. In this case, you just need to stick to a few simple rules so that no problems arise with the appearance of this animal in the family. Their fur does not have a specific odor, but the discharge from a male rabbit may be the main allergen. Therefore, the safest choice would be a girl. Also, pay close attention to the breed: choose a small rabbit - a smooth-haired, spiky one.
Hamster or gerbil. The situation here is the same as with rabbits: healthy person A cough and redness on the body may suddenly occur, but in an allergic person it will cause absolutely no reaction. A Syrian hamster will be less risky for you. As for the gerbil, they are considered the safest rodents for people suffering from allergies, since their fur is completely odorless.
Turtle. It would seem: no wool, no smell, no protein, causing allergies, neither special troubles no turtles are kept. It is a popular hypoallergenic pet, but it is worth remembering that such a pet reptile is also a source of salmonellosis. Therefore, to avoid infection, always wash your hands thoroughly after handling it and keep it away from the kitchen and food items.
And yet, if you have allergies at home, before getting a pet, even the safest one, be sure to get tested so that you can further predict the body’s reaction to certain products/phenomena.
Unfavorable environmental conditions and features modern image life has led to an increase in the percentage of people suffering from allergies. The disease causes a lot of inconvenience to pet lovers. An ideal solution for them would be hypoallergenic breeds, but it’s not that simple.
Are there hypoallergenic animals?
Many people believe that the main source of allergies is animal fur - this is not entirely true. Capable of causing a reaction various factors related to pets: odors, saliva, dander, sebum, urine and food. It is impossible to say with confidence that an animal will not cause an allergy. An allergic reaction can occur even in those who previously kept a pet in the house or who currently have one.
What pets are suitable for people with allergies?
It is not difficult to guess that hypoallergenic animals are those that do not leave hair around the house, do not spray saliva and do not go to the litter box. Of all the pets that are usually kept in an apartment, these include fish, turtles, lizards and reptiles. They are safe for people prone to allergies.
Not everyone is a fan of the “cold-blooded.” The solution to the problem could be a cute fluffy animal like a chinchilla. Of all the non-aquarium-dwelling and non-scaled pets, she is the most hypoallergenic pet. The chinchilla does not shed, she has almost no sweat and sebaceous glands, at the same time she is emotional, active and friendly, which makes the animal a wonderful pet.
Hairless guinea pigs are another option for allergy sufferers. Recently they were exotic. Now these rodents, which look like small hippos, can be found in many pet stores.
Hypoallergenic dogs and cats
If none of the previously proposed options suits you and you are determined to place a cat or dog at home, it is better to choose those that are less likely to cause allergies. It is impossible to say with certainty which pet will be hypoallergenic for a person, since it is individual. Allergies can be identified through testing. Before purchasing an animal, agree to take it in for a couple of days or at least stay near it for a while. In some cases, allergy tests, which can be performed in almost every hospital, can help.
There is an opinion that they do not cause allergic reactions Siberian cats, because there is no protein in their saliva that causes seizures. Abyssinian, Scottish fold and British cats are considered not particularly allergenic.
The best hypoallergenic dogs include Yorkshire terriers and poodles, since they have no undercoat, do not shed, rarely lick themselves and do not drool. These animals can be bathed frequently to remove major allergens.
For allergy sufferers, consider schnauzers, which have short, coarse hair and do not like to bark. The Bouvier des Flanders has little dandruff. Other dog breeds that are considered hypoallergenic include the Irish Water Spaniel, Bichon Frize, Bedlington Terrier, Peruvian Orchid, American Hairless Terrier, Maltese and Australian Silky Terrier.
Allergies are quite unpleasant phenomenon, and is doubly unpleasant. Many people believe that animal allergies are caused by their fur. In general, this is correct, but allergic reactions occur not only to wool, but also to saliva, sebum, even to. If you suspect this kind of trouble, but really want to have a pet, then in this article you can find out what kind of pet you can afford.
Hypoallergenic cats
It is known that 15% of the population are allergic, and specifically to cats. But a third of these people keep cats at home and get along quite well with them.
There are no completely non-allergenic cats. Hypoallergenic ones differ from regular ones in that they produce less Fel D1 protein, which causes allergic reactions in people. Even when a cat simply washes itself, this protein evaporates into the air that a person breathes.
It is believed that light-colored cats are less allergenic than dark-colored cats. And the saliva of cats contains less protein than the saliva of cats, especially affectionate and not neutered ones. And they contain the smallest percentage of this element.
It should be remembered that having acquired an animal, it requires care, and if you are allergic, then care should be regular and special. All personal cat items: cups, house, bed, toys should be washed daily. You need to bathe the animal a couple of times a week, and you need to wash your hands with soap after each contact with your pet. Do it a couple of times a week wet cleaning Houses.
Ten of the “safest” hypoallergenic:
The Siberian is considered the most hypoallergenic among all other breeds.
Hypoallergenic dogs
Just like cats, there are no non-allergenic breeds among dogs. But there are those with whom people with allergies can easily live and communicate. Allergies can mainly occur due to dog hair and saliva. The less a dog sheds, the less dandruff it has. This is why hypoallergenic breeds are predominantly shorthaired.
They are considered the safest due to the special structure of their hair. They are similar to human ones, so there are no allergic reactions to them. 
Also among the safe breeds are: 
All these, which is important, because often children also develop allergies to animals.
Of course, in order to avoid an allergy to an animal, it is necessary that it does not have fur, does not drool, and does not go into the litter box. The choice is not particularly large, but still there is one. Suitable animals are rats, chinchillas, hairless guinea pigs. Moreover, there are two types of rats - with fur and sphinx rats without fur. All these animals are small in size and hypoallergenic. They spend most of their lives in a confined cage space, and the most important thing is regular cleaning of the house. 
The next group of animals are reptiles. Of course, you are unlikely to get yourself a crocodile, but it’s easy to get an iguana, lizard or chameleon. They have no fur, they do not splash with saliva - so they are completely safe for allergy sufferers. The bravest ones can get themselves a small snake. 
Another option is fish in an aquarium. This is probably the safest and easiest option. They will not groom themselves, have no fur, and require minimal grooming. True, in some cases there is a possibility of an allergy to food, or to damp wood and foliage in an aquarium or terrarium. 
You can get yourself a cute one, but under certain conditions: the rabbit will be from a small breed, with short fur, and it will be a girl or a neutered boy.
Some extreme sports enthusiasts have unusual pets: bats, spiders various types, scorpions, cockroaches. They are also not allergenic, so the choice of a pet depends only on you, your desires and preferences.
A runny nose, watery eyes and incessant sneezing are sure companions of allergies. Unpleasant symptoms can appear in response to various allergens: pollen, citrus fruits, dust, pet hair. What to do if you want to have a pet, but your body vehemently resists it? We'll tell you in the article.
Why do allergies to animals occur?
We are used to thinking that unpleasant symptoms Allergies are caused by pet fur. This is not entirely true. Even a short-haired animal can cause a severe runny nose and sneezing. The thing is that our body reacts to a wide variety of factors from a pet: saliva, animal smell, dander and even food can trigger serious allergies.
It is important to note that an allergic disease can unexpectedly appear even in people who previously kept animals at home, so before getting a particular animal, consult a doctor and get all the necessary tests.
If you have the opportunity to take your pet in for a couple of days and test your reaction to the new tenant of the apartment, then you can avoid possible problems. After cohabitation with your pet, donate blood at the hospital for an allergen and find out if your body has a negative reaction to the animal.
There is an interesting observation that says that dark-colored animals are more allergenic than animals with light fur.
What animals can a person with allergies buy?
Surely many have heard about the existence of hypoallergenic cats and dogs. Such cats include sphinxes and elves - animals that lack hair. Also, cat breeds such as Devon Rex and Cornish Rex may be suitable for you - they are not subject to shedding and have a rough coat that is not allergenic.
As for dogs, allergy sufferers should pay attention to Yorkshire Terriers and poodles. They do not shed and do not have a thick undercoat. Schnauzers also fit perfectly into the hypoallergenic category - their coat is quite hard and short, so there will be no problems with it. The list of hypoallergenic dogs also includes: Bedlington Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, Maltese and Australian Silky Terrier.
Popular non-allergenic animals are turtles, snails, and fish. The only thing that needs to be taken into account if you have allergies is feeding your pets dry food. It is better not to take risks and entrust this matter to any member of the household who does not have such health problems, or switch the animal, if possible, to natural food.
It is better for allergy sufferers to buy an aquatic turtle - it will often stay in its own aquarium and have almost no contact with objects in the apartment. The land turtle is quite dangerous for allergy sufferers due to its seasonal molting.
A good option for a hypoallergenic animal is a hairless rat or hairless guinea pig. Of course, not everyone will like these animals, but if you have nothing against these pets, then it is quite possible to have them. WITH guinea pig you can play, she is very active and interesting in her habits.
If the allergy does not appear immediately
Sometimes it happens that your beloved pet has been living happily in your home for several years, but at some point you discover that you are allergic to it. In this case, you should not give the animal into the wrong hands or even urgently get rid of it by throwing it out onto the street.
Take a course of allergen-specific immunotherapy. Typically, such treatment lasts from 2 weeks to six months, as recommended by a doctor. The course includes injections that are used to inject under the skin small doses specific allergens, causing the body to become resistant to them. Thus, after completing the course of treatment, your allergy to your pet will disappear and will not take you by surprise again.
A few more tips
In a house with an animal, especially if it is a dog or cat, it is necessary to carry out wet cleaning frequently. It is equally important to monitor the cleanliness of the animal itself: regularly comb its fur and wash it.
Remove interior items from the apartment that can collect and retain dust and wool for a long time: carpets, down pillows.
You should not give the animal access to the bedroom and those rooms where you spend the most time.
Do not allow a child with allergies to pet the animal and do not allow the animal to lick him.
Ventilate your apartment more often - this will not only save you from allergies, but will also protect you from frequent colds household members.
Remember that allergies often suddenly appear in one of the household members during the animal’s puberty. Spaying or neutering your pet will help avoid this.
Before you buy an animal, study the information about it in detail, check whether you have allergies by passing special tests at the clinic, and only then bring your pet into your home. Your inattentive attitude and negligence when choosing a pet can subsequently result in health problems for you and loss of a roof over your head for the animal.