Are Balinese Cats Hypoallergenic – Allergies & Shedding

The options for a new cat might seem endless, but when you have allergies, that list might not feel as long. You adore long-haired cats, but you’re worried it’ll destine you to a life of sneezing, right? Well, you’re in luck. Some long-haired cats, like the Balinese cat, seem to cause fewer allergies than other breeds of long-haired cats. But, are Balinese cats hypoallergenic?

Balinese cats are not hypoallergenic. Balinese cats produce less Fel d1, a protein that causes allergies. They also shed less than other cat breeds due to a lack of an undercoat. 

So maybe your allergies won’t miraculously be cured when you get a Balinese cat; however, your Balinese may not make you go through a tissue box a day. Keep reading to learn a little more about what it means for a cat to be hypoallergenic and sometimes to combat shedding and your allergies.

What Makes A Cat Hypoallergenic

This shocked me when I found out, but it’s not cat fur that most people are allergic to. It’s what’s on the cat fur that triggers allergies. It’s called Fel d1, which is a protein that’s found in every cat’s saliva. 

So yes, your cat sheds. But your cat also licks itself constantly, meaning its saliva is on the fur that falls out. It’s pretty easy to see where the misconception comes from, right? You’d assume it was the fur, but it’s something microscopic attached to the fur that covers, well, every worldly possession you own. 

Are Any Cats 100% Hypoallergenic

No cat is 100% hypoallergenic, except for perhaps the hairless cat. The only way you can combat allergies is to have a cat with no hair, like the Sphynx. Even then, a hairless cat will still produce that Fel d1 protein. It just won’t be on its hair. 

Shaving your long-haired cat won’t be enough to make your cat 100% hypoallergenic. Its hair will still fall out and potentially trigger your itchy eyes and runny nose even if it is shorter. Let’s put those hair clippers down and think about how the Balinese cat might be a better option.

Why Do People Think Cats Are 100% Hypoallergenic

People probably think cats can be 100% hypoallergenic because they don’t know the science behind what makes their nose twitch. Many people think that just because they don’t sneeze around a cat means that this animal is hypoallergenic. 

That’s not the case at all though. Simply put, less Fel D1 correlates to less allergic reactions. Even a Sphynx cat can cause allergies, and they have little to no fur! The protein is still on their skin though, and that’s what causes the reactions. 

It’s not surprising that people assume that if they sneeze every time they’re around a cat, they’re probably allergic to cat fur. Why would anyone think of a protein attached to the cat’s fur to begin with?

For those who love cats but are allergic, this is a small win because we can pinpoint exactly what’s making our allergies worse. Which, believe me, is not always easy to do.  

Are Balinese Cats Good For Allergies

Yes, Balinese cats are good for allergies because they produce less Fel d1 protein. Even though Balinese cats still shed, Balinese cats are better for your allergies than other breeds of cats. Balinese cats produce less of the Fel d1 protein in their saliva. Less of the Fel d1 protein means that there is less chance to trigger your allergies. 

No one can say for certain that you’ll never experience allergies again with a Balinese cat, but your allergies probably won’t be as bad as they usually are with other breeds of cat. 

You could of course still have bad reactions though even if the amounts are small. So take some precautions like washing your hands immediately after petting your cat, avoid touching your face, and even wearing a mask if needed. 

How Does The Protein Get On My Cat’s Fur

If your cat isn’t sleeping, what is it doing? Cleaning itself, probably. Your Balinese cat is probably licking every inch of its body all day long (sometimes more than once). 

As your cat licks its fur, it deposits the Fel d1 protein from its saliva onto its fur. Sure, your cat is keeping itself clean, but that’s why the fur can be bad for your allergies. The protein doesn’t just go away, either. After being licked, the fur eventually falls out. 

Will My Cat Licking Me Trigger My Allergies

Since we know that the Fel d1 protein comes from your cat’s saliva, your cat licking you may trigger your allergies.

Despite this, it might not be as bad as you think. Your cat might give you some kisses, but most cats don’t come up to lick you like dogs, so I wouldn’t worry much about that.

The fur is going to be your biggest problem in this war. 

Do Balinese Cats Shed A Lot

Balinese cats have long hair, but good news for you! Balinese cats don’t shed as much as you might think for a cat with long hair. The Balinese cat only has a single coat, which means less shedding.

Believe it or not, many cats have two coats of fur, and one is usually called the undercoat. It’s the hair that you might pull off your black cat that’s a light gray. It might seem never-ending, right?

With the Balinese cat, you won’t have that problem, thankfully. 

Do Balinese Cats Sometimes Shed More

If you live in an area with multiple seasons, you may notice that your Balinese cat sometimes sheds more.

Expect to see more shedding when the weather gets warmer after being cold. Your cat might have thicker fur during the winter to stay warm, but they’ll “blow” their coat in the summer to stay cooler. It’s a pretty cool things cats do, even though your vacuum might not agree with that. 

If you know when your cat might start shedding more, you can prepare for the battle (that you’ll probably lose, I’m sorry to say)

How To Deal With Shedding

If you feel defeated by your cat’s shedding, there are things you can do:

• Brush your cat as often as you can. This will catch the full before it sticks to anything else. It’ll also prevent those nasty hairballs!
• Don’t bathe your cat too often. Giving your cat baths could dry out its skin, causing more fur to fall out.
• Feed your cat a proper diet. Good quality food will make your cat’s coat nicer.
• Keep your cat’s stress levels down. Too much stress could lead your cat’s fur to fall out faster.

How Can I Clean Up The Cat Fur

You’re not going to be able to stop your cat’s shedding. Don’t beat yourself up if you’re starting to find cat hair everywhere. 

• Purchase a vacuum that’s made for pet fur. It’ll work better (and probably last longer).
• Get hardwood floors. Cat fur will cling to carpets and rugs more than hardwood that you can easily sweep.
• Teach your cat to sleep in a designated spot. Hopefully, this is a limit where you find cat fur. 
• Use a lint roller. Sticky lint rollers will help pull the fur off your clothes and furniture, irritating your skin. 

How Can I Deal With My Allergies

If you’re someone who deals with allergies like me, there’s nothing you can do to make them go away. But there are things you can do to manage them.

• Take allergy medicine, daily if necessary.
• Clean your house thoroughly. Dust regularly and buy a powerful vacuum, so you don’t have to worry. 
• Open windows when you can to circulate air.

Allergies are probably some of the worst things to deal with, especially if you’re allergic to an animal you love. There are things you can do to make them just a little bit more manageable, though. Allergy sufferers unite!

See? You do have options if you love long-haired cats and hate your allergies. Even if your Balinese cat triggers your allergies, you now have some tips and tricks for slowing the shed and cleaning the hair up when it does fall.