Humans are thought to have kept cats as pets for over 10,000 years, with the first domesticated felines evolving from African wildcats.
Since then they have become the world’s second most popular pet, just behind dogs when it comes to the animals we most like to welcome in to our homes and our hearts.
In the UK alone there are more than 10 million feline friends in households.
And there are a huge range of types of cat to choose from - according to The International Cat Association there are 73 ‘standardised breeds’, along with a bewildering number of crosses.
One thing to consider when choosing a specific breed is whether any of your household suffer from allergies - as cat hair and the protein ‘fel s 1’ that felines secrete can commonly cause sniffles and sneezes.
While no cat breed is 100 per cent hypoallergenic, these are the 10 likely to cause minimal issues.
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9. Javanese
A close cousin of the Balinese, Javanese cats only shed lightly, due to them lacking an undercoat. These clever cats sadly share the common genetic disorders suffered by Balinese and Siamese breeds. | Canva/Getty Images
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10. Oriental Shorthair
A close relative of the Siamese, the Oriental Shorthair breed has a sleek, short coat that sheds minimally. They are known for their vocal, affectionate, and social personalities, but suffer from the health conditions common to othe flat-faced brachycephalic breeds. | Getty Images