Can I live with a cat if I m allergic

Think youre allergic to cats? These are the symptoms to look out for

Being allergic to cats is no fun. As well as causing a host of miserable symptoms, it can mean thinking twice before cuddling up with one of these adorable felines. In some cases, it may even force you to make some difficult decisions. Can you really live with a cat in your home or move in with someone who owns a cat?

Cat allergies are caused by an abnormal response from the bodys immune system to certain proteins (allergens), says companion animal vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan. Affected people produce an immunoglobulin (called IgE) and may start to develop symptoms. The severity of these symptoms varies considerably between individuals.

Here we take an in-depth look at the issue of being allergic to cats, exploring the main symptoms and addressing whether you really need to flinch whenever a cat wanders nearby or whether there are ways to relieve your symptoms. Could it be a case of using one of the best cat brushes and learning the most effective way of brushing cats? Dr MacMillan helps us find out.

Dr Rebecca MacMillan is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. She works in the South West and loves complex medical cases.

Symptoms of allergies to cats

If you're allergic to cats, then youre not alone up to 20 percent of people are allergic to cats according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The problem appears to be more acute among those with respiratory allergies and you're also twice as likely to have a cat allergy than you are a dog allergy. The most common symptoms are:

• Sneezing
• Itchy, runny or blocked nose
• Itchy roof or mouth or throat
• Red or itchy eyes
• Postnasal drip
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Whistling when exhaling
• Trouble sleeping
• Dry, itchy skin
• Rashes or hives

You may find yourself quickly coming down with one or more of these symptoms whenever a cat is close by but you won't necessarily suffer to a great degree the symptoms can be mild and moderate as well as severe.

If you do suffer from any of these symptoms when you're around cats, then it may be worth talking to your doctor to be absolutely sure moggies are the cause. It is possible to have skin or blood tests to confirm you're allergic to cats.

What triggers a cat allergy?

It's often said that hair is the cause of a cat allergy and it's easy to see why people would think this is the case. Indeed, when cats shed their fur, they not only leave it on furniture, carpets and clothes, but they also send it flying into the air. It's a reasonable assumption to believe you may be breathing in the hair and therefore falling ill.

But that's not strictly true. The hair itself is not actually the problem. Instead, the issue lies with proteins. The proteins that cause allergic reactions are secreted in the saliva of cats (called Fel d 4) and in the sebaceous glands of the skin (called Fel d 1), explains Dr MacMillan.

These proteins are found concentrated in the fur because, as the cat grooms itself, it spreads saliva and skin secretions throughout their coat. So, it is not the hairs themselves that cause problems per se, but the proteins that end up covering them. Fel d 4 is also shed in urine and feces, so dirty litter trays could be a trigger for some people too.

Since the proteins are smaller and lighter than dust allergens, the molecules can stay airborne for hours, making it possible to breathe them deep into your lungs which is why the protein can cause respiratory problems.

What's more, the protein is also very sticky. Once it gets into the air, it will land on furniture, clothes and your skin and it can also take a good few months before it ends up breaking down. This means coming into contact with a cat owner rather than the moggy itself can also be triggering. The protein is often found in public areas where there are no cats because owners can transfer it there.

Cat owners could transfer proteins to non-cat owners, via loose fur or sebaceous secretions on their clothing, affirms Dr MacMillan. These proteins (allergens) are also lightweight and can become airborne in the environment. So, in theory, it would be possible for someone who has not come into direct contact with a cat to develop an allergy, if they were highly susceptible. People who are more at risk of developing allergies tend to have a family history of eczema, asthma, hay fever, or other allergies.

Can you live with cats if you are allergic?

Yes, absolutely, although much depends on how severe your symptoms are. If you are only mildly allergic to cats, then it may be possible to own one if you take some sensible precautions, Dr MacMillan says. These include not allowing the cat to sleep in your bedroom, having hard flooring in your home rather than carpets, vacuuming regularly, using air purifiers, and washing your hands after handling the cat. You should also ensure your cat has access outdoors via a cat flap so that they dont spend all their time inside with you.

Using the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair will help to remove fur that could be coated with protein. You may also want to try different types of cat brushes to groom a kitty and ensure as much allergen-carrying hair is removed as possible.

You may want to do this outdoors rather than risk spreading the protein inside your home and it could be an idea to wear goggles and gloves if you think you're going to suffer. It's a good idea, too, to ensure one or two rooms (including the bedroom) are cat-free. Wash cat bedding in a hot setting and wipe down surfaces in rooms where cats tend to roam. Consider allergen-trapping carpets and high-efficiency particulate air filters.

Can I build up a tolerance to cat allergies?

If you're struggling with an animal allergy, avoidance is the best remedy. But talk to your doctor about immunotherapy which involves small injections of the allergen each week for about six months followed by monthly shots for up to five years. You can also get over-the-counter medicines for temporary relief from the symptoms.

Always discuss your allergies with your doctor, as antihistamines and inhalers are required to manage symptoms in some people, says Dr MacMillan. If you suffer from a severe allergy, then it would not be recommended to own a cat and you should put your health first.

How can you stop being allergic to cats?

Building up a tolerance is one way and, if you take the measures detailed above, then there is a chance you can reduce symptoms. But there's no real quick fix, unfortunately, and it's not even as simple as opting for hypoallergenic cat breeds since all cats produce allergens.

The benefit of these breeds lies in them producing a lower level of allergens than others (they also shed less fur). Female cats also produce a lower level of allergens so avoiding the males may go some way to relieving your symptoms too.

The production of these proteins explains why even hairless cats can cause reactions in certain individuals,| says Dr MacMillan. However, the amount of proteins produced by different felines varies, which might explain why some cats trigger greater symptoms than others.

Long-haired cats are more likely to provoke a reaction, but this is probably due to a greater accumulation of saliva and sebaceous secretions in their coat or because they shed more hairs around the house. Intact male cats also produce for Fel d 1 than females (though neutered male cats are similar to females). There are no truly hypoallergenic cats.

If you want a bit of relief from a cat, then consider the best outdoor cat enclosures or help your kitties get in and out of the house with ease with the best microchip cat flaps.

Im Allergic To Cats But Want A Cat: 10 Vet Approved Tips On What to Do

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more

Allergies are not only unpleasant to deal with, but theyre incredibly frustrating, too. If you want nothing more than a pet cat but are allergic to them, you know exactly what were talking about. Having a cat allergy means you may deal with mild sneezing and itching when around them, or if your allergies are severe, it can mean having a tight chest and difficulty breathing. In the worst cases, going into anaphylactic shock is a possibility.

Anyone can develop allergies at any time. So if you already have a cat in your life and you suddenly become allergic to them, there are some things you can do to live more harmoniously alongside your feline friend. If you have a very mild allergy to cats, you may be able to live harmoniously with one with the following rules in place.

Read on to learn more about living with cats when you or a loved one has allergies.

An Important Note if You Are Allergic to Cats

If you have a moderate to severe allergy to cats, it is recommended that you dont bring a cat into your house.

Cats are long lived pets and it is known that pet allergies often worsen when a person is exposed to greater amounts of allergen. Bear in mind that cats love being stroked and their favourite thing to do is to curl up on your bed and have a lovely long snooze. If a pets quality of life is going to be reduced due to your allergies, it may not be fair on the cat to bring it into your home. People with allergies to pet dander may be better choosing an exotic pet, such as a reptile, amphibian or fish, as these lack hair and dander and are essentially allergen free.

Top 10 Vet Approved Tips to Live With a Cat If Youre Allergic to Them

1.Clean. Often!

If youve been living with an allergy for some time, you already know how important it is to keep your home clean. Airborne allergens, like dust and cat dander, cling to any soft material, exacerbating your allergy symptoms.

Commit to vacuuming at least once a week, preferably more, if your allergies are bad. Invest in a vacuum with a HEPA filter, as some allergens are so small theyll pass through a non-HEPA filter and re-enter your air.

If your cat likes to be on your bed (which we do not recommendmore on that later), wash your sheets weekly in hot water.

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2.Replace Your Furnishings

Certain home furnishings, such as fabric sofas, carpets and curtains, are magnets for allergens. Even with the strictest cleaning regimen, cat dander can cling to certain furnishings in your home, worsening your symptoms.

Consider replacing upholstered furniture with leather and substituting blinds for curtains. Carpet is also notorious for holding onto allergens, so consider switching out carpets and rugs for hardwood or laminate. According to the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, carpets can contain as much as 13 times morecat allergens than smooth flooring. If you must have rugs in the home, choose those that can be tossed in the washing machine weekly to rid them of the allergens that have embedded themselves into the fibers.

3.Designate Cat-Free Zones

The fewer places your cat can access, the less dispersed the allergens they carry will be. We highly recommend designating several spaces in your home as cat-free zones. Your bedroom should be one of the places your cat cannot access. You spend eight hours a day in your bedroom sleeping, so the fewer allergens in your room, the better. Of course, dander can travel throughout your cat-free spaces on your clothing, but airborne cat allergen levels are much higher in rooms where the cat is physically present.

4.Spay or Neuter Your Pet

Your cat should be spayed or neutered regardless of whether you have allergies or not, as there are plenty of documented benefits. Aside from preventing unwanted litters of kittens, spaying and neutering can also have the following benefits:

• less likely to spray and mark territory
• less likely to roam in search of a mate
• less roaming means reduced chance of road-traffic accidents and fighting with other cats
• Longer and healthier lifespan
• Reduced risk of developing mammary cancer
• Eliminated risk of uterine or ovarian cancers (females) and testicular cancers (males).

If you need more of a reason to spay/neuter your pet, doing so can also decrease allergen productionand make it easier for you to live harmoniously alongside your cat.

5.Try Allergy Medication or Treatments

Over-the-counter or prescription medication can help control allergies and reduce signs. Consider allergy immunotherapy, a preventative treatment for some types of allergies. Current researchis minimal, but what is currently available shows that immunotherapy for pet allergies has good prospects as a viable treatment choice in the future.

The type of treatment that is right for you will depend on the severity of your signs. We highly recommend speaking with your doctor, as not all medications or treatments are right for all allergies.

6.Consider Adopting a Hypoallergenic Breed

While there is no 100% hypoallergenic cat breed (hence the quotation marks), some breeds do produce lower levels of the proteins that can trigger allergies. These breeds may be a better fit for folks suffering from mild pet-related allergies.

They include:

• Siberians
• Siamese
• Bengals
• Russian Blues
• Sphynx
• Devon Rex
• Cornish Rex
• Burmese

Please do your research before adopting, however. These purebred cats can be expensive, and the last thing you want to do is spend thousands of dollars on a kitty you cant even keep. Additionally, choosing to adopt from a reputable breeder is of utmost importance.

7.Try Allergen-Addressing Cat Food

An innovative cat food line from Purina Pro Plan has recently been developed to reduce the major allergens found in a cats fur, dandruff, and saliva. The developers of this food found that the primary cat allergen (Fel d 1) can be reducedwhen the cats are fed a diet containing a certain protein in eggs. The food does not interfere with a cats ability to produce Fel d 1 or change their physiology.

8.Adopt One Cat

The fewer cats you have, the lower the concentration of allergens in the household. As tough as it is to get just one cat, adopting only one will increase your chances of living harmoniously with the allergen-producing animal.

9.Invest In an Air Purifier

Air filtration can reduce airborne allergens and provide relief for allergy sufferers. You can buy filtration systems for a single room, or if your home has an HVAC system, you can invest in a whole-house air purifier. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, it is possible to remove the allergens caused by pets by using an air purifier with a HEPA filter. These filters can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles within a certain size range, potentially eliminating pet dander floating around in your air.

10.Bathe Your Cat Weekly

As much as cats hate baths, bathing yours may be necessary to help reduce the concentrations of allergens they produce. According to the previously cited Ohio State University study, regular baths can reduce the allergen concentration by up to 84%. Only use shampoos formulated specifically for cats.

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Although there is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic pet, regular bathing can help reduce the amount of dander allergens in their fur and the air. We recommend Hepper's Oatmeal Pet Shampoo for this task. Click here to order yours today

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11.Wash Your Hands

Washing your hands every time you touch your cat may seem like overkill, but it will remove the allergens from your hands and prevent unnecessary exposure to them.

Final Thoughts

Though living with a cat while you have allergies does require a fair bit of work, living harmoniously together is possible for many people with mild allergies. However, it is essential and responsible to consider the severity of your signs and symptoms before considering adopting a pet. If you go into anaphylactic shock anytime youre near a cat, the chances of the two of you successfully living in the same home together are slim to none. If you get a bit sniffly in the presence of a cat, however, you may be able to live together seamlessly with the right precautions and a meticulous cleaning schedule. If you suddenly find yourself allergic to your much loved cat, speak to your doctor about trialling the changes above, as they may make enough of a difference that you and your kitty can continue living together in comfort.

Featured Image Credit: Hananeko_Studio, Shutterstock