Are Ragdoll Cats Hypoallergenic? Myth or Truth

Share This Article

Ragdoll cats are extremely popular, and allergies will concern many would-be owners. But are Ragdoll cats hypoallergenic?

Key Takeaways

  • Ragdoll cats are not hypoallergenic; they produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur, and urine, which triggers allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. However, they are known for producing lower levels of this protein compared to other cat breeds, potentially making them a better option for those with mild allergies.
  • Managing allergens at home involves a multifaceted approach: regular grooming to reduce shedding, frequent vacuuming, and possibly using an air purifier can help. Changing your diet and lifestyle to minimize contact with allergens can also make a difference.
  • No cat breed is 100% hypoallergenic, but some breeds like the Sphynx, Devon Rex, and Russian Blue produce fewer allergens and may be better choices for allergy sufferers.
  • Stress can cause cats to shed more, releasing more allergens into the environment. Addressing stress factors like loud noises or changes in the household can potentially reduce shedding and allergic reactions.

Read on to find out more!

Table of Contents

Why Do Ragdoll Cats Cause Allergies?

Ragdoll cats are not hypoallergenic.

It is a myth that Ragdolls are truly hypoallergenic. Like all cats, Ragdoll cats produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur and urine.

This protein is what triggers allergic reactions in humans.

When cats shed fur, groom themselves and use the litter tray, they spread the Fel d1 protein around your home, which can cause allergies if you come into contact with it.

Ragdoll cats produce lower levels of Fel d1 than others so they can be better suited to people with cat allergies.

Ragdolls are a specific breed with a fur pattern associated with the group of tabby cats (read more about tabby cats here).

They have different fur patterns, but all have distinctive “M” markings on their forehead associated with tabby cats.

How To Own A Cat When You’re Allergic?

You cannot control how much Fel d1 protein your cat produces, but you can limit how much it spreads around your home.

One of the main ways it is spread around is by your cat shedding.

The amount your cat sheds will depend on their breed and factors such as their diet, health, the season and other reasons explained below.

Long-haired cats tend to shed less than short-haired breeds. Grooming longer-haired cats can be more challenging as their fur easily tangles.

Short-haired cats tend to shed more but are much easier to groom.

There are ways in which you can try to reduce the amount your cat sheds:

Brushing Helps With Shedding

Brushing your cat is one of the best ways to reduce excessive shedding.

Regular brushing your cat removes longer hairs and ones ready to fall out anyway. This will prevent the fur from falling out on your carpet, furniture and clothing.

Cats will need brushing in different amounts depending on their breed.

Brushes We Recommend

These brushes are very effective and a favourite for cats who dislike brushing. They are a perfect size, remove a lot of fur and leave your cat’s fur soft and fluffy.

For cats that don’t like normal brushes, these gloves can help your cat get used to being groomed.

Diet

Cats should always be fed a quality, balanced diet.

Although the most readily available cat food will have a suitable balance of ingredients, it is still possible for cats to become deficient in specific nutrients.

Vitamins A, E and B are necessary to produce and maintain healthy fur; when a cat does not get enough of these, it can shed more than usual.

All cats need plenty of protein to maintain healthy fur. Some dry foods have less protein than wet foods, which often have a higher meat content. If your cat is shedding excessively, switching to a mix of wet and dry food or entirely to wet food could improve this.

Related: Are Ragdoll Cats Fussy Eaters?

Many different food options are available, so experimenting with different ones can help find the right food for your cat to improve their coat and reduce shedding.

Stress and Shedding

If your cat is stressed, they may shed large amounts of fur in clumps.

There are many reasons your cat could be stressed, and it doesn’t always mean something is medically wrong with your cat.

Cats can become stressed from location changes. Bringing a new cat into your home can be a stressful time. Here are tips on introducing a new cat into your home. This is especially true for rescue cats with issues or a troubled past.

Loud noises can be stressful for cats. This can include loud music, excessive traffic noise and thunderstorms. It can be helpful to try and reduce background noise if you notice your cat is shedding lots of fur.

How To Minimise Allergic Reactions?

Change clothing and bedding regularly

If your cat sleeps on your bed, stopping this will make a big difference for allergy sufferers.

Washing and changing the bedding and your clothing often will also help.

Vacuum regularly

Removing cat hair and other particles from your floors and surfaces will help prevent a build-up of allergens for you to come into contact.

Clean out litter tray often

Outdoor cats may not use a litter tray, but if they do, or your cat is an indoor cat, cleaning out their litter tray often will reduce the allergens in the area and prevent them from getting carried through the house.

Wash hands regularly

Cleaning hands often will reduce the spread of allergens onto your household items.

Use an air filter

Air purifiers remove harmful particles and flying loose hair from the air before they can settle on your clothes, furniture, or bedding.

In our view, Philips make the best air filters. The Philips 3000i continuously detects and removes allergens from the air and is highly effective with high-grade HEPA filters to remove 99.97% of airborne allergens, pollen, dust and other particles.

Philips air filters are expensive, and a more budget-friendly option would be this model from Levoit.

Change carpets to solid flooring

If you have a Ragdoll cat, you’ll know that a lot of the hair they shed ends up on the floor. Carpets can hold and build up hair and other particles much quicker than solid floors.

Even vacuuming often doesn’t remove all of this from the carpet easily, so while an extreme step, changing for solid floors could be an option for an allergy sufferer who wants to keep cats.

cat hair collected in carpet

If you have carpets in your home, it will seem like no matter how much you vacuum, the hair doesn’t go away!

That’s where a handheld carpet scraper comes in handy. This little tool will easily brush all the cat hair out of your carpet so you can vacuum it up. You will be amazed at how easy it is and how much hair appears when you use it.

Read this article for more about why Ragdoll cats shed and how to minimise it.

Are Any Cat Breeds Hypoallergenic?

No cat breed is completely hypoallergenic, but some breeds, such as Ragdoll cats, produce less Fel d1 protein and can be better for people with cat allergies.

Some cat breeds shed less fur than others. These can be better choices for people with allergies.

Cat Breeds Which Shed Less

Final Thoughts

Ragdoll cats are not hypoallergenic.

Like all cats, Ragdolls produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur and urine. This protein is what triggers allergic reactions in humans.

Ragdolls are a specific breed with a fur pattern associated with the group of tabby cats (read more about tabby cats here). They are no different to other cats in producing this protein.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have a Ragdoll cat if I’m allergic?

Ragdoll cats are known for producing lower levels of the Fel d 1 protein, the primary allergen in cat dander. While no cat breed is completely hypoallergenic, some people with allergies may be able to tolerate living with a Ragdoll cat.

What is the most hypoallergenic cat?

No single cat breed is completely hypoallergenic, but some breeds are known to produce fewer allergens than others. Some hypoallergenic cat breeds include Ragdoll, Sphynx, and Devon Rex.

Do Ragdoll cats shed badly?

Ragdolls do shed, but their thick, luxurious coats are designed to protect them in cold weather. Regular grooming can help to minimize shedding, and their hypoallergenic qualities may make them a good option for people with allergies.

Read more: Do Ragdoll Cats Shed?

What cats are 100% hypoallergenic?

No cat breed is 100% hypoallergenic. All cats produce some level of the Fel d 1 protein, which is the primary allergen in cat dander. However, some cat breeds are known to produce lower levels of this protein, making them a better option for people with allergies.

Do Ragdoll cats like to cuddle?

Ragdoll cats are known for being affectionate and friendly, and many enjoy cuddling with their owners. However, individual personalities can vary, and not all Siberian cats may enjoy cuddling.

Is a Ragdoll cat an indoor cat?

While Ragdoll cats can adapt to living indoors, they also enjoy outdoor playtime and may benefit from supervised outdoor playtime. It is important to provide them with plenty of toys and stimulation to keep them occupied indoors.

Pin for later


Share This Article