If you’re a cat lover who has allergies, you’re probably looking for a hypoallergenic cat.
So, let’s see if a calico cat is a purrfectly safe pet for you.
Calico cats are not a specific breed of cat, but the name calico refers to the cat's pattern which consists of three distinctly different colors - white, black, and orange.
No cat breed is 100% hypoallergenic.
However, some cats produce more allergens and some produce less.
Now, the good news is that calico cats produce less allergens.
Allergies are caused by dead skin cells, that is cat dander. But, what makes dander allergenic is the protein Fel d1 that can be found in a cat's saliva, urine, glands, and skin.
So, calico cats aren’t 100% hypoallergenic but they can be a safe pet if you're dealing with mild allergies. In case you have severe allergies, then it's better to avoid cats.
Did you know that female cats produce less Fel d1 protein than male cats?
Considering that calico cats are 99.97% female, they are definitely less allergenic than some other breeds.