ARE RAGDOLL CATS HYPOALLERGENIC?

Ragdoll cats are very popular. And a kitten won’t come cheap either. But considering they are one of the cutest, laid-back, loveable, and social cats going, it’s not hard to see why they are so sought-after by cat owners. 

They are well-known for their personalities and they are also very popular for their looks too. To look at a ragdoll is to love them.

How can you not when those adorable bundles of fluff look up at you with those large and vibrant big blue eyes? And then, of course, when you hold them they go limp which is where they get their name.

If you’re looking for a kitty to snuggle on the sofa, then you can’t get much better than a ragdoll kitty. 

Being a cat lover, there is nothing worse than nature trying to get in the way of your bond through allergies. I couldn’t think of anything worse than being allergic to those little bundles of fluff.

But people are. And there’s often a rumor circulating around that if you’re allergic to kitties you should opt for a ragdoll because they are hypoallergenic.

And as much as I hate to be the bearer of bad news, and I really do, unfortunately, these cats are not hypoallergenic.

​They may not shed as much hair as some other cats, which is where the rumor may have surfaced from, but they will still cause allergic reactions if you’re allergic to cats.
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WHY AREN’T RAGDOLL CATS HYPOALLERGENIC

Just because ragdolls don’t shed that much hair, it doesn’t make them hypoallergenic. The only reason they tend not to shed hair is that they have no undercoat. But cat allergies don’t actually develop from the cat's hair. 

Allergies to cats actually come from their skin, saliva, and urine. When a cat grooms itself, their saliva is all over their fur, and then their fur gets everywhere.

Honestly, especially in long-haired cats, you’ll find cat hair in every possible crevice of your home. And if you’re allergic, it means that those allergens are going to be all over your home.
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ARE ANY CATS HYPOALLERGENIC?

I really wish I could give you some good news, but there really isn’t such a thing as a hypoallergenic cat.

As we mentioned above, it’s not actually the hair of the cat that you’re allergic to, it’s their urine and saliva, which just cannot be avoided. 

You’ll find that there are cats that are lower on the allergy list. These cats can sometimes be referred to as hypoallergenic.

​But they’re not, not really, they’re just less likely to cause a reaction. Even hairless cats can cause a reaction in those that are allergic to cats.
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DO RAGDOLL CATS HAVE LESS DANDER?

Dander is something that cats' skin can produce. Many that are allergic to cats are allergic to their dander.

If you’ve heard that ragdolls have less dander, I hate to deliver even more bad news, but that simply isn’t true. 

Ragdolls are the exact same as any other cat breed in terms of producing dander.

They also contain the Fel d 1 protein in their dander and their saliva, and this protein is known to cause allergic reactions in those that suffer from cat allergies.
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HOW CAN I LIMIT SHEDDING?

The best way to minimize shedding is to keep a strict and consistent grooming schedule for your pet.

Now, these cats don’t tend to shed as much hair as other breeds, but they should still have a good brushing a minimum of twice a week.

They will also shed more during the spring and fall seasons when the weather changes. 

Ragdolls have very soft hair, but this hair is also quite thick. This means that you’ll want to ensure that you are using the correct type of brush for their hair.

Pin and bristle brushes are always a good option. It may be necessary to bathe your ragdoll once a month, but if you’re planning on doing this you’ll want to acclimatize them to the water fairly early on in their lives.

​As we are all aware cats and water don’t tend to mix together very well.
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HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M ALLERGIC TO CATS?

The worst way to find out that you’re allergic to cats is to find out once you’ve adopted one.

​There is already a crisis with cats without homes, so before you consider bringing one permanently into your home, it’s worth trying to spend some time around cats beforehand.

You’ll want to stroke, hold, or cuddle a cat and then keep an eye out for any developing symptoms. 

If you find that you have a runny nose, sneeze, cough, itch your eyes, or have red skin from the contact, it may be worth reconsidering homing a cat.
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HOW CAN I TREAT CAT ALLERGIES?

For some, not having a cat is out of the question, allergies be damned. And I can’t say I blame you, I couldn’t live without my kitties.

​If you are sure that you are happy to just manage your symptoms, here are some ways you can make things a little easier for yourself.

• Vacuum With HEPA Filter- Try vacuuming your house with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter. These filters are great at trapping pet allergens that are in the air. 
• HEPA Air Filters - Pop a HEPA air filter in any room that your cat tends to spend time in. 
• Replace Carpet With Hard Floors -  Replace your carpet with hardwood floors so that allergens cannot get trapped in the fibers of the carpet
• Dust - Dust quite often to keep allergens out of the room 
• Use Antihistamines -  Antihistamines can help reduce the annoying or painful symptoms of your allergic reaction.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Unfortunately, Ragdoll cats are not hypoallergenic. And even worse, neither is any other breed of cat.

​If you are unlucky enough to be allergic to cats, you only really have two options. Don’t own a cat. Or manage the symptoms of the reaction.