Are Tabby Cats Hypoallergenic? Tips For New Cat Parents

Do you have a tendency towards allergies but still wish to have a feline companion? Despite being sensitive to dander, you can still consider adopting a hypoallergenic cat breed. No Cats are entirely free from allergens, even known as hypoallergenic.

Take Away Information
Tabby cats are not hypoallergenic.

What Are Tabby Cats?

In terms of tabby cats, the term “tabby” describes a coat pattern that can appear in both purebred and mixed breed cats. This pattern can include stripes, whorls or spirals, and spots, often with an M-shaped marking on the forehead. Tabby are known for their outgoing, playful, affectionate, and intelligent nature, they can live around 20 years with care. They are sociable and make good companions for children. However, More assertive personality often in cats with red or orange one.

Tabby patterns can appear in various cat breeds, including the American Curl, Manx, Norwegian Forest, Maine Coon, Ocicat, Scottish Fold, Singapura, and Ragdoll. Famous tabbies include cartoon character Garfield, Orangey from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” and Freya, owned by British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne.

The tabby coat pattern can manifest in five main ways:

Classic tabby: This pattern consists of whorls or shapes that resemble a target on the cat’s side, often likened to a marble cake.
Mackerel tabby: This pattern includes ring patterns around the tails and legs and bands of broken or solid stripes on the rest of the body.
Ticked tabby: These cats may have the signature M marking on their forehead and may only have stripes or spots on the legs. Their individual hairs, also called agouti hairs, have bands of light and dark coloring.
Patched tabby: These cats have dark or grayish-brown patches as well as red or orange ones. This pattern is also called tortoiseshell or tortie.
Spotted tabby: These cats have distinct round spots that vary in size, against a background of fur with a lighter hue.

Are Tabby Cats Hypoallergenic?

“Tabby” named as their coat pattern, not point that they hypoallergenic. The main allergen in cats, Fel d1, is found in their saliva and is spread onto their fur through grooming. This allergen is present regardless of the cat’s coat pattern or color.

These symptom may anounce you that you have allergy: eye irritation, sneezing, rashes on the chest and face, coughing, wheezing, skin redness, or a runny, itchy, and stuffy nose after touch your cats.

All this do not matter when you really want a cat. There are certain breeds that produce fewer allergens because they have lower levels of the Fel d1 protein. Examples of these hypoallergenic cat breeds include the Devon Rex, Cornish Rex, Javanese, Sphynx, Oriental Shorthair, Russian Blue, Balinese, Bengal, Siberian, and Colorpoint Shorthair. Cats with less hair, particularly hairless breeds, are also known to cause fewer allergies.

Owner with Allergies Can Have A Tabby Cat?

Possible Allergy Symptoms

Symptom of allery can be serveral. Please see the following table for typical signs of allergies:

Solution to Have a Tabby Cat

Have a chance if you allery to cats but want to adopt one. Making a few adjustments in your lifestyle and pet care practices can help manage your allergies effectively. 5 to 10% of the population are allergic with there pets.

Fortunately, several strategies can help reduce the impact of allergens for individuals wanting to own a cat, be it a tabby or any other type.

Here are some strategies to effectively own a cat when you’re allergic:

Utilize a HEPA Air Purifier
Switch to Hardwood or Tile Flooring
Regularly Clean the Litter Box
Change Clothes After Interacting with Your Cat
Regularly Bathe Your Cat
Regularly Groom Your Cat
Restricting Their Behaviors
Consider a Hypoallergenic Cat

Enhancing the air quality in your environment can be a great asset in managing cat allergies. Air purifier with HEPA filters play an important role in your problem. These filters are effective in trapping and eliminating dirt, dust, and importantly, cat dander, reducing the allergens you breathe in.

Switching your flooring from carpet to hardwood or tile can also be beneficial. Unlike carpets, these surfaces don’t harbor hair and dander as much, hence decreasing the number of allergens in your surroundings.

It’s essential to uphold cleanliness, particularly in spaces where your cat often stays, including the litter box. Regularly cleaning these areas can aid in keeping allergens at bay. The choice of cat litter is also consequential. Certain brands, such as Cats Pride and Dr. Elsey’s, are favored for their ability to minimize allergic reactions due to their excellent clumping qualities and lack of artificial fragrances.

If you are with allergies, engage with your cat can be problematic. To help lessen allergic responses, it may be helpful to change your clothing after extensive contact with your cat.

Bathing your cat, despite not being a regular necessity for most cats, can help decrease allergens by rinsing off dander and saliva from their fur. However, be mindful that cats often groom themselves more after a bath, which may spread allergens.

Frequent grooming can also assist in managing dander, particularly for breeds known for high shedding, such as the American Shorthair tabby. Shaving your cat is a possible option, but it’s usually not advised.

Beside, restricting your cat from their behaviors as jump on you and bite your nose or guard you when you pee, sleep pressed up against you or jumping on TV,…to minimized the risks from source of allergy from cats.

Adopting a hypoallergenic cat must be appear in your mind. While no cat breed is entirely hypoallergenic, some breeds produce fewer Fel d1 molecules in their saliva, the main trigger for cat allergies. These breeds could be a fitting choice for those who are allergic but still desire to have a cat.

Which Cats Are Hypoallergenic?

While the coat pattern of a tabby cat does not make it hypoallergenic, its breed can. If you have allergy concerns, there are several specific breeds to look into. Bellow is the list of cats which are nearly hypoallergenic:

Bengal
Siberian
Balinese
Oriental Shorthair
Javanese
Devon Rex
Cornish Rex
Hairless Sphynx
Burmese
Ocicat
Colorpoint Shorthair
Russian Blue
Siamese

All the cat breeds mentioned above are considered to be low-allergy cats. While no cat breed is completely hypoallergenic, you may still encounter some problems owning one. However, with proper grooming and care, ownership is feasible.

Among the cats listed, the Siamese, Sphynx, and Oriental Shorthair are regarded as the best choices. These breeds produce very low levels of Fel d1, and their shedding is minimal.

Breeds that shed minimally include the Devon Rex and Cornish Rex. Oriental Shorthairs also have very thin coats and require less grooming compared to other breeds. The Balinese and Russian Blue breeds produce less Fel d1, making them good options. These breeds can also exhibit the tabby cat pattern.

If your preference leans towards a longhaired tabby cat, the Siberian breed is a good option. Despite their long coat, they produce minimal amounts of Fel d1.

Are Hairless Cats Hypoallergenic?

Regarding the Sphynx breed, their lack of hair may lead some to believe they are almost entirely hypoallergenic. However, the reality is that the Fel d1 glycoprotein, the main allergen in cats, is still present in their saliva. Therefore, when they groom themselves by licking their skin, allergens can be spread.

Moreover, Sphynx cats require frequent baths to maintain their cleanliness, as their skin tends to accumulate oil. Consequently, you may still encounter the Fel d1 allergen. On a positive note, the Sphynx breed has lower levels of Fel d1 compared to other breeds, which potentially lessens the risk of allergic reactions.

Foods for Your Tabby Cat

Before setting out to prepare foods for your Tabby cat, it’s essential to focus on hypoallergenic options that can lessen the chance of sparking allergies in both you and your feline friend. Although no food can assure complete hypoallergenicity, some choices are more suitable for sensitive individuals and cats. Here’s how you can select hypoallergenic food for your Tabby :

Limited Ingredient Diet: Choose cat food containing a restricted number of ingredients. This strategy lowers the risk of encountering potential allergens. Aim for brands that prioritize single-protein sources and minimal filler ingredients.
High-Quality Animal Protein: Foods rich in high-quality animal proteins like Chicken, turkey, rabbit, Crab or fish are recommended. These proteins are easier for your Tabby to digest and usually cause fewer allergies compared to lower-quality proteins or common allergens like beef and dairy.
Grain-Free Options: Go for grain-free food as grains can occasionally spark allergies in cats. Instead, opt for brands that use alternative carbohydrate sources like sweet potatoes, cooked black beans, or a small amount of homemade applesauce, Pretzels, Cheerios,…
Natural and Minimal Additives: Stay away from foods containing artificial additives such as sausage, sugar like marshmallows, colors, or flavors like pickles, crab rangoon, hummus as these can worsen allergies in both cats and humans. Stick to options with natural and minimal additives.
Wet Food: Wet food is generally better for your cat’s overall health and hydration. It helps prevent dry, flaky skin, reducing dander and allergy symptoms in sensitive individuals.
Rotate Protein Sources: Rotating protein sources can prevent the onset of food sensitivities in your cat. Gradually introduce new proteins and monitor your Tabby for any signs of adverse reactions.

Beside, fruits and vegetables can be the best treat to your cats which contain alot colagen helps cat’s hair healthier such as: Bell Peppers, Beets, Blackberries, Applesauce and Apple, Edamame, …

Remember, no cats are the same. For example, cats are from a kitten to a mature cat, a pregnant cat or cats with diseases as Bipolar, Feline Leukemia, cat using Subcutaneous Fluids, or cats in heat,…

Your veterinarian can guide you towards the best hypoallergenic food options for your Tabby and help monitor their health during the transition.

The Best Food for Your Tabby ‘s Skin and Coat: Wet, Dry, or Raw?

To maintain healthy, hydrated skin and fur, Tabby s should have a daily serving of wet canned food. Over-reliance on dry food can lead to:

Flaky skin and poor-quality fur due to dehydration from insufficient moisture
Weight gain due to high-calorie dry food, especially in adult cats who need fewer calories than kittens
Increased risk of common feline diseases such as diabetes, constipation, UTIs, and others

Feeding your cat a raw diet poses risks of food poisoning and bacterial infections, as meat intended for human consumption can become contaminated during storage and handling. If you choose to feed your cat raw meat, ensure you follow strict sanitary procedures.

Foods Your Tabby Should Avoid

While there’s no definitive list of foods that directly influence a Tabby cat’s coat maintenance, providing a well-balanced diet with appropriate nutrients is key to maintaining a healthy coat. To ensure your Tabby’s coat stays in peak condition, avoid certain foods and ingredients:

Low-Quality Cat Food: Cheaper, low-quality cat food often includes fillers like corn and wheat, offering little nutritional value and potentially leading to poor coat quality. Opt for high-quality cat food with high protein content from reputable animal sources.
Artificial Additives: Avoid cat foods containing artificial additives such as pickles, marshmallows, apples & applesauce, sausage, etc., as these can trigger allergic reactions or sensitivities negatively impacting your cat’s coat.
Dairy Products: Many cats are lactose intolerant, and consuming dairy products can cause gastrointestinal issues, indirectly damaging the coat’s health.
Foods high in sugar and salt: An excessive intake of sugar and salt may result to health problem in cats, which may in turn affect their coat condition.
Raw fish: Feeding your Tabby cat raw fish regularly can lead to a thiamine deficiency, which can result in poor coat quality and other health issues.

Q&A about Are Tabby Cats Hypoallergenic?

Are tabby mixes hypoallergenic?

The term “tabby” refers to a cat’s coat pattern rather than its breed. Thus, whether a tabby mix is hypoallergenic depends on the specific breeds in its ancestry. Finally, no breed is 100% hypoallergenic.

Are orange tabby cats more allergic?

The color of a cat’s coat, including orange tabbies, does not determine its hypoallergenic properties. Instead, it depends on the specific breed and the proteins the cat produces.

Are any cats 100% hypoallergenic?

No cat is 100% hypoallergenic. All cats produce some amount of Fel d1, the protein responsible for most cat allergies. However, some breeds produce less of this protein and are therefore considered more hypoallergenic.

Are short-haired tabby cats hypoallergenic?

Again, “tabby” refers to a cat’s coat pattern, not its breed. While short hair may reduce the amount of dander a cat sheds, it doesn’t impact the production of Fel d1, the main allergen. So, the breed of the cat plays a more significant role in determining hypoallergenic properties than the length of its coat.

What are the worst cats for allergies?

Some cats breed produce higher levels of allergenic proteins which lead individual’s specific allergies. These include Himalayans, Persians, and Maine Coons.

What cat is best for allergies?

Some cat breeds are known to produce fewer allergenic proteins and are often better suited for individuals with allergies. These include the Siamese, Sphynx, Russian Blue, Bengal, Balinese, Devon Rex, Cornish Rex, and Siberian. However, individual responses to each breed can vary, so it’s recommended to spend time with a cat of a certain breed before adopting.