Scottish Fold Cats: Hypoallergenic or Not?
Find out if your Scottish Fold goes well with your allergies or learn how to choose a suitable cat
Outgoing and curious, the Scottish Fold is a great pet companion. With their dropped ears and round body, what’s not to love!? Traced back to Susie, the unique ancestor of the breed, the Scottish Fold inherited a thick, shorthaired coat.
But are they a good choice for your allergies!?
For those who suffer from allergies, the truth is no cat is 100% allergens free. Yet, there are some breeds that make good hypoallergenic pets, if your reactions are not too severe.
What causes cat allergies?
First, let’s debunk the topic of allergies: what causes them and how are cats responsible.
Statistics show that 6 to 10 million Americans suffer from cat allergies. In the UK, an estimated 4.8 million people are sensitive to cats. (Source)
Pet dander is a common allergen that all cats produce, but the prize goes to a protein called Fel d1. The cat’s salivary, sebaceous, and anal glands produce the protein. It is then carried in the dead skin cells. Fel d1 is the main reason for your sensitive reactions.
Once the allergen reaches the air you breathe, it will find shelter in your nose and sinuses leading to the allergic reaction.
No need to despair if you are a cat lover. The world is generous enough and so is the cat breed range. Some cats produce less Fel d1 than others which makes them hypoallergenic. Emphasis on hypo, there are no allergen-free cats out there.
Did you know that you can use special products to reduce your allergies to cats? Like a Dander Remover (link to Chewy.com product) for your little friend, or an Air Purifier (link to Amazon product). This way, you can reduce your allergies and enjoy your cat more. I’ve put the links to Chewy and Amazon if you want to check out the products and current prices.
What makes a cat hypoallergenic?
If cats make you sneeze, but you are determined to get one, here are some factors to consider:
- Females are a better choice. They produce fewer allergens in comparison to male cats.
- Light coated cats are less allergenic than their dark-colored relatives.
A 2000 study at Long Island College Hospital in New York revealed that it is more likely for a dark-colored feline to cause allergic reactions. Science is not backing this up, though. Researchers found no correlation between the Fel d1 protein and the color of the coat.
But if you want to keep it safe, go for a light coated feline friend.
- Neutered males have a lower secretion of Fel d1 than intact males.
- Baby cats have fewer allergens than adults. However, your kitten will eventually grow into an adult. Not so much a long-term solution!
- Short hair is intuitively less allergenic since the fur carries around the culprit. The less and shorter hair your cat has, the better.
Take into account these aspects and you could combine your love of cats with your sensitivity. You can check out my tips for fur care in this article: Fur care
Now for the real question…
Is the Scottish Fold hypoallergenic?
No. We know, they are adorable and you just want to pick them up and rub your nose on their chubby body. But if you know you are sensitive and suffer from allergies, it might not be a good idea.
Now you’re thinking they have short hair, why are they not suitable!? Although short-haired, their coat is very thick and dense.
The good thing about this breed is that they shed a moderate amount of hair. Also, you don’t need to worry much about grooming them. Once a week for the short-haired type is more than enough. Why do cats shed? Check it out!
If you have problems with allergies, you will need to brush your cat at least once a couple of days if not daily. You can use a brush like the Furminator for cats to easily remove the hair. It takes less than 3 minutes. Here is the link to Furminator product on Chewy.
In case your allergic symptoms are mild, you might be able to get along with a Scottish Fold. Go for a light-coated, female to be on the safe side! Otherwise, turn your attention to other breeds that produce fewer allergens. There are a few breeds related to the Scottish Fold that are allergies-friendly.
What similar breeds ARE hypoallergenic?
Turns out the Scottish Fold is not suitable for you!? Consider expanding your horizon and choose something similar.
The Russian Blue is highly recommended for people suffering from allergies. They produce the least amount of Fel d1 glycoprotein.
Still, you need to be aware that even the smallest allergen production can trigger a reaction. Of course, it depends on your level of sensitivity as well.
The dense double coat of the Russian Blue is adapted to the low temperatures in Russia. While withstanding the cold, harsh climate, the coat of this cat also protects from allergens. Because of the fur density, allergens remain closer to the cat’s skin instead of flying around for you to inhale.
The British Shorthair is your traditional English cat. Adaptable and affectionate, they have chubby cheeks and a rounded body. Much like the Scottish Fold. Moreover, they are low maintenance in terms of grooming. Their coat is short, dense, and fluffy.
The shedding is minimal and they produce very little dander. In conclusion, a hypoallergenic cat, cute-looking, and very popular. More differences between the Russian Blue and British Shorthair are presented in my article here.
What about the allergies of a Scottish Fold?
We’ve spent so much time talking about your needs, that we forget that cats are also subject to allergies.
If you already care for a Scottish Fold, these are the type of allergens you should pay attention to:
Environmental allergies
- Seasonal or all-year-round
- Cause irritation and inflammation of the skin
- Symptoms: running nose, watery eyes, hair loss, and sores due to scratching.
Food allergies
- Causes: inappropriate foods like potatoes, grains and cheap, mass-produced food
- Cause irritation of the digestive tract
- Symptoms: leaky gut
- Solution: see a vet and treat the root of the problem. Feed the cat raw food and add variety to their diet (3 or 4 sources of protein to alternate)
For more useful tips on food and diet check out our article on Scottish Fold diet.
You can use special products if your Scottish Fold develops allergies such as:
- Hypoallergenic Shampoo (link to Chewy.com product)
- Skin Treatment – Hypoallergenic Cream (link to Chewy.com product)
- Cat Allergy Herbal Formula (link to Chewy.com product)
I’ve put links to Amazon if you want to check the products and prices.
What can you do to minimize your allergic reactions?
You’ve got your mindset on a Scottish Fold and you decide to take the leap? Here is some practical advice on how to keep your allergic reactions to a minimum.
- Keep the bedrooms off-limits for your Scottish Fold. Allergens travel through the air and settle on your pillows and bedspread.
The kitchen should also be out of reach to not contaminate your food.
- Keep your home tidy and clean. A pet requires more cleaning after than normally. Hair, whiskers, and exfoliating claws are everywhere together with allergens.
- Fresh air inside the house. Sure, pollution and city dirt is not helping, but do your best to refresh the air. Filters and electrostatic purifiers are available to clean the air from the inside.
- Healthy cat, healthy owner. A good diet with meats and fatty acids makes for a healthy cat. The result: shinier fur, less shedding, and less dander keeps your allergies at bay.
- Regular brushing. You can brush as often as you’d like. Your Scottish Fold will love it and your bond will grow stronger. By doing this you remove excess fur and allergens that live in the coat.
- Play, but keep your face off the fur. Hard, we know!
Avoid burying your face in their chubby bodies. Do not touch your sensitive areas (nose, mouth, eyes) after playing and always wash your hands.
Following the tips above and using special products such a Dander Remover (link to Chewy product) and Air Purifier (link to Amazon product) you can reduce the risk of allergies to a minimum.
Bonus: cat breeds that are ideal for allergic people
Have you come to the conclusion that a Scottish Fold is not good for your allergies? Here are some of the best cat breed options that will keep you from sneezing.
Check out the weird differences between the Scottish Fold and other breeds in my other article here. Also, check out the differences between British Shorthair and Scottish Fold, the most popular similar breeds.
Javanese – intelligent, communicative, and loyal, these cats are easy to train and hypoallergenic.
Sphynx Cat – not hairless, as most people think. They grow fine, small hairs that feel like velvet and carry little allergens. Highly energetic and loving the attention, the Sphynx is a very good companion.
Oriental Shorthair – their piercing eyes and slender form will charm you. The coat is easy to groom and does not store many allergens. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors and patterns.
Devon Rex – loves the attention, but keeps out of trouble when left alone. The hair is short and sheds very little which is great for allergic people.
Cornish Rex – small in size and funny looking, this cat loves its companion and begs for attention. The coat is so short that there’s no danger of triggering extreme allergic reactions.
Balinese – although long-coated, these cats shed so little hair that your nostrils will have no trouble being around them. They are intelligent, active and accepting of both people and other animals.
Bengal – good with families and children and energetic in nature. This cat will give you no trouble allergies wise.
Siberian – with all the long hair and considerable size, you might think we made a mistake. No, no! The Siberian has a very low level of Fel d1 in its saliva, thus slight allergies are no problem around it.
Conclusion
With a wide pallet to choose from, you can make an informed decision about what cat to adopt. Do keep in mind though, that if your allergies are severe a cat is not recommended in your home.
How motivated are you to get a Scottish Fold after all? Check out the owner guide here