Cat allergies are triggered by a protein found in feline saliva. Feline grooming causes this protein to deposit on the fur and skin and becomes airborne with the dried skin flakes (dander), triggering allergic reactions in sensitive humans. Fur length has little to do with the amount of dander (the real allergy culprit) produced, and therefore a long-haired cat can cause an equivalent allergic reaction as a short-haired cat.

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/relief-for-allergies-8/cat-allergies

There are certain breeds thought to produce less of this protein in their saliva. (It should be noted that this protein is also found in feline urine, however this source is a less prevalent trigger since most people avoid cat urine.) Siberian, Cornish and Devon Rex, LaPerm and Russian Blue breeds are reportedly less likely to cause allergic reactions. They are also not "naked". The Sphynx is a "naked" breed which is less allergy-inducing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_allergy
http://cats.about.com/od/allergiesandcats/tp/CatAllergies_Breeds.htm

Recently, a San Diego company has developed hypoallergenic cat and dog breeds:

http://www.allerca.com/
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/06/060609-allergies-cats.html
http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2006/06/4278.ars

At $4k a cat, they should be able to change their own litter boxes, too.

I hope you are able to find a furry companion that doesn't cause a miserable allergic reaction.
Source(s):
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/06/science/06cat.html


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