Are Maine Coons Hypoallergenic?

Are Maine Coons Hypoallergenic?
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Let's talk about hypoallergenic! This word, the way most of us are accustomed to seeing and using it, means "unlikely to cause an allergic reaction."

For example, certain jewelry, foods, skin care products and more may be marked hypoallergenic.

We associate that with the comfort of knowing we won't have an allergic reaction due to their simpler ingredient list.

Allergens can be found everywhere in our natural environment, and folks who are sensitive to allergens choose products that are hypoallergenic - containing fewer allergens.

So, the natural assumption is that this commonly known term carries over to pets in much the same way. Unfortunately, it's more complicated than that!

Shirley, from our March '22 Album

Since all cats possess the allergen FEL D-1, and all cats groom themselves, it's safe to say that no cat is hypoallergenic in the same way that a beauty product with carefully curated ingredients is.

There is no guarantee that allergic cat lovers, particularly those with severe allergies, will be able to tolerate even one of the "hypoallergenic cat breeds."

The good news is that although there is no such thing as a non-allergenic cat, there are some breeds that may produce low levels of allergens and less severe symptoms.

A hypoallergenic cat breed is a breed of cat that may be low shedding, have unique fur, or produce less FEL D-1 protein.

Some of these breeds include the Devon Rex, Cornish Rex, Sphynx, Russian Blue, and a few others.

There are some breeds of short-haired cats that are also low-shedding, and mild allergy sufferers may be able to tolerate them.

Low shedding cat breeds include the Sphynx, Siberian, Bengal, Cornish Rex, Siamese cats, and Bombay.

Bodhi, from our March '22 Album

From time to time someone will ask, "Are Maine Coons hypoallergenic?"

No, Maine Coon cats are not hypoallergenic. In fact, they don't even make the list of best cat breeds for allergy sufferers.

Because of this, we don't recommend this breed to anyone who is allergic to cats.

Cats breeds with long fur who are also prone to shedding are the worst for cat allergies, including this breed.

The last thing any cat lover wants is to have to give up their beloved feline friend.

These kitties boast a very affectionate temperament. They like to cuddle, and spend as much time on or next to you as you'll allow.

You can expect to be petting their lovely, long fur, and perhaps touch your face. You will have some cat fur on your clothes, furniture, and bed.

Now don't get me wrong! They are very clean cats. It's not a lot of fur. But if you look for it, it's there. And if you or a loved one is allergic, there will be cat allergens present.

They are very desirable cats, and we quickly get attached to them.

So it's heartbreaking when the itchy eyes, stuffy nose, shortness of breath, and other cat allergy symptoms become too much to bear and a furry family member has to be re-homed.

It has been noted that for some people, cat allergies can get better with time and exposure, essentially building a natural immunity.

But, it's also possible for cat allergies to get worse over time, so this is definitely not a risk worth taking!

Why is there a common misconception that Maine Coons are hypoallergenic?

This is actually a somewhat popular belief! Perhaps pet lovers ask this question because poodles and doodles (a doodle is a poodle mixed with another breed), who are also long-haired, are considered hypoallergenic.

They do have long fur in common. But, poodles don't shed, are low-drool, and don't have FEL D-1!

Or, perhaps it's their somewhat similar appearance to the Siberian, which is lower shedding. (Although they do indeed shed, and require grooming!)

Jeronimo, from our Jan '15 Album

Perhaps you are moving in with someone who has cat allergies and they are willing to give it a try.

Yes, using an air purifier can help. You'll want to make sure you are using a purifier with a HEPA filter to help remove cat dander from the air.

Also, consider doing a little extra cleaning such as vacuuming areas your cat frequents to get some of that loose fur and excess dander that we normally don't notice.

So if you are wondering "Are Maine Coons hypoallergenic?" now you know! They are not among the cats that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

But it's also good to note that they aren't any more likely to cause a reaction than any other cat (except for the shedding!)

Azran, from our Feb '13 Album

These fluffy companions are not hypoallergenic. The protein Fel D-1, which is found in cat saliva and also in cat dander is the allergen responsible for reactions.

Like other cats, they love to groom themselves. In the process, they deposit lots of this protein on their fur.

These cats love to cuddle, be petted, and spend a lot of time on the same furniture we do, so there will be plenty of contact with this allergen.

There are a few cat breeds that may be better tolerated, but this breed isn't one of them, so regrettably it's likely not a good choice for cat allergy sufferers.

Fortunately they are very photogenic, and Maine Coon admirers can always come online to enjoy the latest cat pictures! After all, cat pictures are one of the best things about the internet!