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 12 likely to cause minimal issues.
5. Russian Blue
The supremely elegant Russian Blue has a short, dense coat that produces lower amounts of Fel d1 - the protein most likely to cause an allegic reation. These are cats that form a particularly strong bond with their owner. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Selkirk Rex
With their adorably curly coat, Selkirk Rex cats shed less and produce less dander than other breeds. They are relaxed, affectionate, and enjoy human interaction. While the name may suggest they come from the Scottish town of Selkirk, they were actually first bred in the American state of Montana. They were named after the first breeders stepfather, who was called Selkirk. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Balinese
Also known as the 'long-haired Siamese' Balinese cats have silky, low-shedding coats. They are known for their affectionate nature, intelligence, and love of human companionship - and shouldn't cause too much sneezing. Sadly, as they are a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed they are predisposed to a range of health problems, including nonreal injury, dermatitis, compressed airways and deformed jaws. | Canva/Getty Images
8. 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. | Canva/Getty Images