Are Scottish Fold Cats Hypoallergenic? What You Need To Know

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If you have cat allergies but want a cat, you may be hoping a Scottish Fold will be easier on you. It isn’t hypoallergenic, though there are ways to reduce the effects.

What Allergy Sufferers Should Know

  • Allergies: Scottish Folds are not hypoallergenic. They produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur and urine, which is what triggers allergic reactions in humans.
  • Shedding: You can’t control how much Fel d1 your cat produces, but regular brushing and a balanced diet reduce shedding, which limits how far allergens spread.
  • Around the home: Frequent vacuuming, air purifiers and even swapping carpet for solid flooring all help if you’re allergic but want to keep a cat.
  • Other breeds: No breed is entirely hypoallergenic, but the Sphynx, Devon Rex and Siberian produce fewer allergens than most and may suit people with mild allergies.

Why Do Scottish Fold Cats Cause Allergies?

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

The breed’s coat pattern is associated with the group of tabby cats (read more about tabby cats here).

Folds have different fur patterns depending on the position of their stripes, and all of them have the distinctive “M” marking on the forehead associated with tabby cats.

When cats shed fur, groom themselves or use the litter box, they spread the protein around your home, and contact with it can cause allergies.

How To Own A Scottish Fold Cat When You’re Allergic?

You can’t control how much Fel d1 your cat produces, but you can limit how much it spreads around your home. Shedding is one of the main ways it spreads, so start with your cat shedding.

How much your cat sheds depends on breed, diet, health and season.

Long-haired cats tend to shed less than short-haired breeds, but their fur tangles easily and is harder to groom. Short-haired cats shed more but are much easier to groom.

These steps can reduce the amount your cat sheds:

Brushing Helps With Shedding

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

Regular brushing removes longer hairs and ones ready to fall out anyway, so less ends up on your carpet, furniture and clothes. Cats need brushing in different amounts depending on their breed.

Brushes to Consider

These brushes are a favorite for cats who dislike being brushed. They’re a good size, remove a good amount of fur and leave the coat soft and fluffy.

If your cat dislikes ordinary brushes, these gloves can help get it used to being groomed.

Diet

Cats should always be fed a quality, balanced diet.

Most commercial cat food is reasonably balanced, but cats can still run short of specific nutrients. Vitamins A, E and B are needed for healthy fur, and a cat that doesn’t get enough may shed more than usual.

Cats also need plenty of protein to maintain healthy fur. Some dry foods have less protein than wet foods, which often contain more meat. If your cat is shedding heavily, a mix of wet and dry food, or all wet food, might help.

It can take some experimenting to find a food that improves the coat and reduces shedding.

Stress and Shedding

A stressed cat may shed large amounts of fur in clumps. Stress doesn’t always mean something is medically wrong.

grey scottish fold cat laying on grass

Cats can become stressed by location changes. Bringing a new cat into your home is stressful. Here are tips on introducing a new cat into your home. It’s especially true for rescue cats with a troubled past.

Loud noises can be stressful for cats. Loud music, heavy traffic and thunderstorms are common culprits. If your cat is shedding a lot, try reducing background noise.

How To Minimize Allergic Reactions?

Change clothing and bedding regularly

If your cat sleeps on your bed, keeping it off makes a big difference for allergy sufferers. Washing bedding and clothes often helps too.

Vacuum regularly

Removing cat hair and other particles from floors and surfaces stops allergens building up.

Clean out litter tray often

Whether your cat is indoors or outdoors, cleaning the litter box often reduces allergens in the area and stops them being carried through the house. (Some cats may not use a litter tray outdoors.)

Wash hands regularly

Washing your hands often reduces the spread of allergens onto household items.

Use an air filter

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

A HEPA air purifier helps reduce airborne allergens, pollen, dust and other fine particles. A budget-friendly option is this model from Levoit.

Change carpets to solid flooring

A lot of the hair a Scottish Fold sheds ends up on the floor, and carpet holds on to hair and other particles far more easily than solid floors. Even frequent vacuuming doesn’t get it all out, so switching to solid floors, while an extreme step, is an option for an allergy sufferer that wants to keep cats.

On carpet, it can seem like no amount of vacuuming gets rid of the hair.

A handheld carpet scraper helps. It brushes the cat hair out of the carpet so you can vacuum it up, and the amount it pulls out is surprising.

Read this article for more about why Scottish Fold cats shed and how to reduce it.

Are Any Cat Breeds Hypoallergenic?

No cat breed is completely hypoallergenic, but some breeds, such as Siberians, produce less Fel d1 protein and can be better for people with cat allergies. Some breeds also shed less fur than others, which can make them better choices too.

Cat Breeds Which Shed Less

Folds Are Like Any Other Cat

Scottish Fold cats are not hypoallergenic. Like all cats, they produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur and urine, and that protein is what triggers allergic reactions in humans.

For more on the coat, see tabby cats (read more about tabby cats here). Folds are no different to other cats in producing the protein.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you be allergic to Scottish Folds?

Yes. Scottish Folds aren’t hypoallergenic, so they can cause reactions in some people.

What is the best cat for someone with allergies?

There’s no single answer, since cats vary in the allergens they produce. Sphynx, Devon Rex and Siberian cats produce fewer than most.

Do Scottish Folds shed a lot?

Scottish Folds are not heavy shedders, but they shed moderately throughout the year.

Do Scottish Folds like to cuddle?

Yes, they’re affectionate and often seek out attention and cuddles.

Should I get a cat if I’m allergic?

A cat isn’t recommended if your allergies are severe. People with mild allergies can sometimes manage their symptoms with allergy medication and a less allergenic breed.

What is the lifespan of a Scottish Fold?

Around 12 to 14 years.

Are Scottish Folds clingy?

They can be. Folds are clingy and affectionate with their owners.

What are the pros of having a Scottish Fold?

They’re affectionate, calm and easy-going, and tend to be good with children and other pets.

Should I bathe my Scottish Fold cat?

Not often, but an occasional bath can help reduce shedding and keep the coat clean.

Do Scottish Fold cats have a lot of health problems?

They can be prone to ear infections, joint problems and heart disease. A reputable breeder and good care help lower the risk.

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