Can you live with a cat if you are allergic

Can You Live With A Cat If You Are Allergic

If youve ever despaired about not being able to own a cat because you have cat allergies, then fear not and read on, because I will tell you from my experience that it is possible to live with a cat even if you have allergies.

I was never allergic to cats growing up, but in the last couple of years, my body has been reacting horribly when Im at home. I think the source is hay fever but the fact that I live with indoor cats in an apartment exacerbates the allergic reaction. Sometimes I would go weeks where I wake up with my face like a puffer fish and I sneeze uncontrollably all day long unless I take antihistamines.

Thats not all. My sister is extremely allergic to cats. But she absolutely adores them. She is a proud cat aunty to my cats, Nala and Charlie. But whenever she visits, she has to take allergy medicine otherwise it is complete torture for her.

So, imagine her worry when I moved in with her for a few months with the cats. We had to do a lot of research and try different methods to make sure that she wouldnt be breaking out into hives and her nose wouldnt be a snot waterfall.

These are some of the methods to help reduce your allergic reaction.

Some methods worked, some methods did not. I presume what works and what doesnt will be different for other people, but below is a collection of what I did to remove as much cat dander as possible to prevent allergic reactions.

In fact, my sister is considering getting a cat of her own now, so Im partly writing this for her so she can follow these methods to keep her cat allergies at bay when she adopts a cat in the future.

What Causes Cat Allergies?

Most people who are allergic to cats think that its due to the cat hair. Thats why some people get hairless cats to avoid allergic reaction (like the hairless cat that Rachel pawns off to Gunther in Friends). But that wont solve the cat allergy mystery, because what is actually causing the allergy is the protein carried in the cats saliva, dander, and urine.

I once read a news article years back about how this lady became blind in one eye because her cat licked her eyeball.

Saliva and urine are pretty straightforward. Dander, however, is worth an explanation. Cat dander is basically flakey dead skin.

Knowing the root cause of these allergies, you can now go into battle armed with the right tools to fight it. Now lets get into the meat of this article, which helped my sister live with my cats even though she is allergic to them.

Cat Dander Remover

My vet said its a good idea to give cats a bath regularly but not too frequently. For most people, this is like giving yourself a lashing, only with sharp claws at the end of the whip.

Giving your cat a bath helps prevent dander (i.e. dry flakey skin) because youre moisturizing the skin.

The problem with giving your cat a bath is that you dont do it often (I give my cats a bath about once or twice a year), so it doesnt really solve the dander problem throughout the year. And also as we established, cats hate it and youll hate it too because the cats will take it out on you.

So, the more effective way is to clean your cat regularly (a few times a week) using wipes or spray specially designed for cats to moisturize their skin and remove dander.

Air Purifier For Cat Dander

As you can imagine, there are many many air purifiers on the market. If you have cat allergies but you want to live with a cat (or you have no choice), then an air purifier that works well for picking up cat dander is essential.

Get an air purifier with a HEPA filter 99.7% which traps microns as small as 0.3 microns.

I have the air purifier on pretty much 24/7. I let it rest sometimes for a few hours every few days and then turn it back on again. This is one of the best ways to help reduce dander, and hence, allergic reaction from cats.

Cat Breeds That Produce Less Dander

Even with all this technological advancement, scientists havent produced a genetically modified cat that is hypo-allergenic. I am against that anyway, because what about all the regular cats in shelters that need loving homes?

But there are cat breeds that produce less Fel d1 and Fel d4 proteins found in the dander that are the culprits in causing allergic reactions for humans.

There are about 8 breeds that are less allergic reaction prone for humans. Although thats a pretty slim selection, they are a wide variety in terms of appearance and personality, so you can find the breed that suits your personality the most. But I mean, theyre cats, so if youre a cat lover, any cat breed should melt your heart.

My favorite of these cat breeds is the Russian Blue, not only because they are beautiful but also because they love to cuddle.

Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots)

If youre a go big or go home kind of person, you might want to try immunotherapy. I have not tried this but if my body becomes allergic to cats, then this is one avenue I will definitely explore.

It is costly, but compared to how much you might end up spending if you took an allergy med everyday, immunotherapy might be more cost effective.

The other thing to consider is that its quite time intensive. You have to go into the doctors office, and after getting the shot, you have to wait an hour to make sure your body doesnt react horribly to the shot.

And its not just a one time visit to the doctor. Read about whether immunotherapy is for you.

Vacuum Pet Hair Everyday

Get a vacuum that has HEPA filter 99.9% which traps cat hair and dander. I dont vacuum everyday but about twice a week.

Dont just vacuum the floor though. Make sure to get one that has an accessory attachment to trap cat hair and dander on furniture.

Change the Cat Litter Often

Urine is one culprit of allergic reactions. This is another reason why I have my air purifieron by the litter box continuously. Whenever Im scooping the pee or poop or changing the litter, my nose starts running like a waterfall. Thats how I know that urine does have trigger my cat allergy.

I scoop the litter everyday and I change the litter every 5 days or so. This has helped a lot in keeping the air in my apartment clean. Im always trying to improve the ease of replacing litter. My current method is probably the easiest so far, but Ill keep looking for ways to make this process easier.

Best Allergy Medicine For Cat Allergies

Im not a pharmacist or a doctor, so I cant say what works for your body and what doesnt, but the over the counter allergy medication that works for me the best is Zyrtec D. Zyrtec without the D is available on the shelves and but for me, it leaves my nostrils so dry and I cant breathe. So I have to get the more expensive one, which is Zyrtec D, that doesnt need a prescription but is behind the pharmacists counter.

The medical drug in it is called CETIRIZINE; PSEUDOEPHEDRINE.

There are variations of Zyrtec D. At CVS, they dont have a clever name for its own brand of it. At Walgreens, they call it Walzyr D.

For my sister, Zyrtec D doesnt work for her for some reason. Allegra works the best for her. Benadryl also doesnt work for her. For me, Allegra sometimes works but not as well as Zyrtec D.

Feed Your Cat Omega-3 Fish Oil

This is a nifty trick I learned after I moved to the cold winter climate. When I was doing research to help get rid of all the dander white flakes I saw on my poor babies, Charlie & Nala, my vet told me to feed them some Omega-3.

The omega-3 or fish oil helps your cats produce more oil and hence their skin is more moisturized and flakes the dander less.

I puncture one capsule of fish oil per day per cat and mix it in their wet food for dinner everyday.

Designate a Cat-Free Room

This, I have a hard time with, because well, I only have one room. Its just the open space kitchen connected to a living room and the bedroom. So when my cats are pawing at the door to my bedroom to be let in, I always cave.

But if you do have a house with multiple rooms, I would highly recommend having a room that is a cat-free zone. This gives your nostrils a break when your immune systems down and histamines are up.

Brush Your Cat Regularly

Even if you dont use a dander-removing spray/foam or wipe as mentioned above, its good to brush your cat regularly with a de-shedding tool and a wire brush.

The massaging of the brush on your cats skin promotes the oil glands to produce oil.

Again, this helps with removing dander and therefore leaves the air in your home with less cat dander, which helps with less allergic reaction.

Summary

I hope you found this article helpful. Ive been through the worst of it when I cant stop sneezing uncontrollably and every opening on my face becomes a niagara falls. It is the most annoyingly helpless thing when your body attacks itself to fight off allergens. Its even more annoying when that culprit causing the allergic reaction is your beloved cat!

I am a firm believer that you dont have to let your allergies to cats stop you from having a furry cat friend in your home. As the famous playwright and artist, Jean Cocteau, once said, I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul. In other words, the cat embodies the soul of your home.

Start with one or two of the methods above on how to live with a cat if you have allergies. Stick with that method for a while and introduce another. Otherwise it will all be too overwhelming.

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Related

How To Live With A Cat If Youre Allergic. This Works

Having a pet in the home is something that many people take for granted, but if you have an animal allergy, it can mean that your chances of living in harmony with a furry friend are dramatically reduced.

But dont throw away the idea entirely just yet there are some ways that people who suffer from pet allergies can and do live alongside their kitty with ease. Whether you live with someone who has a pet cat or whether you can no longer resist living without a feline friend of your own, our guide on how to live with a cat if youre allergic will provide you with some excellent tips.

What Are Pet Allergies?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, we must take a moment to fully understand what a pet allergy looks like and what causes it. This will allow you to understand better how to avoid the triggers and that irritating onslaught of symptoms every time your moggy enters the room.

Your immune system is designed to fight off anything that may be harmful to your body bacteria, viruses, and other types of infection, and for the most part, this works well. However, there are some people whose immune systems are overly sensitive and attempt to fight off things that are not going to cause you harm. In this case, the proteins found in various byproducts of your pet puss will trigger the immune system and cause an allergic reaction.

Some people find that they struggle with pet dander whereas others may find the saliva a trigger, but whatever it is that causes a response, your body may respond in any of the following ways:

• Itchy, watery eyes
• Runny nose or sneezing
• Hives (a raised, itchy rash on the skin)
• Difficulty breathing, especially in people who have existing lung conditions such as asthma
• Swelling of the eyes

The severity of your allergy will determine the types of symptoms that you experience, but it is also important to remember that the reaction is usually localized. If an animal licks you, you may break out in a rash solely in that area, for example.

How To Live With A Cat If Youre Allergic

So, youve taken that leap of faith and decided that its time to get a pet cat or youve recently moved in with a friend, family member, or partner who refuses to part with their precious puss, but all is not lost.

As many as 10% of people around the world struggle with some kind of pet allergy, and its become apparent that cats seem to be worse at triggering the symptoms than their canine counterparts. So, youre not alone.

If you have found yourself sharing a residence with a cat, there are some actions that you can take to lessen your symptoms or reduce them entirely. It is worth pointing out, however, that for people who suffer from severe allergies, living in a pet-free home might be the most viable option.

Give Your Cat Limited Access Throughout The Home

There isnt a cat lover in the world who would be willing to expose themselves to the allergens without having a break, and this is one of the first things you should consider doing if you want to learn how to live with a cat if you are allergic.

Segregating the animal will give you a safe space to go to when your allergies become too much. This may sound a lot more dramatic than it is since doing this could be as simple as keeping just one room in the home completely cat free.

For most people, this works best when cordoning off your bedroom. However, some people may also choose to make the entire upper floor humans only. This can be difficult since cats are agile animals who wont be stopped with a simple stair gate or barrier. In this case, you should accept that the cat may access the landing, but if all doors are kept closed, youre fighting a winning battle.

If you have had your pet for a while and have allowed it to have access to every room in the house, you should be prepared for a few weeks of intense cleaning to get rid of the residual pet dander in the places you are banning your kitty from entering.

The particles that you are trying to get rid of are incredibly small and notoriously difficult to shift. Still, with regular vacuuming and washing of any soft furnishings, it is possible.

Invest In A Pet Vacuum Cleaner

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No, were not talking about a vacuum cleaner to clean your pet many modern vacuums are designed with a pet-loving household in mind.

These cleaning machines are specifically aimed at removing the tiny particles found in homes that have pets that are responsible for causing allergies. They usually feature a much more powerful rotating brush that will lift away any dander with ease. Furthermore, removing these products can eliminate any smells associated with keeping an animal.

If you do not use a vacuum that is designed for pets, you run the risk of merely spreading those particles around the home as opposed to removing them completely.

Think About Your Flooring

One of the most common mistakes that people make when trying to allergen-proof their home is omitting to pay attention to the floor.

Whilst most kitchens and bathrooms feature hard floorings such as tiles or laminate, the cozier areas of the home are usually kitted out with a soft, fluffy carpet. This may look aesthetically pleasing and feel lovely on your feet, but it is a prime ground for pet allergens to gather.

If you suffer from allergies relating to your cat, it can be a sage idea to remove your carpets and go for a hard floor option.

If youre reluctant to do this, regularly cleaning the carpets is going to be the best way forward, but we cant reiterate enough that wood or tile flooring will make your life so much easier.

Additionally, it pays to think about the number of soft furnishings you keep in areas where you allow your feline companion to go. For example, if the cat is permitted to enter the living room, it can pay to minimize the number of cushions, throws, and curtains opting for blinds may be preferable. All of these items are just as guilty as your carpet for harboring those allergens and giving you symptoms every time you simply want to sit in the comfort of your living room.

Grooming

Its no secret that cats love to be brushed and whats more, this is an excellent way of bonding with your pet whilst keeping her coat healthy and shiny.

But a simple mistake that many allergy-prone pet owners make is brushing their beloved cat inside the home. As you do this, the pet dander is being spread through the air and settling on a variety of surfaces around the house.

To eliminate this problem, you can brush your cat outdoors if the weather permits. However, if there is a sudden downpour neither you nor your cat will want to sit out so relocating to a garage or other building that is separate from the main home is a good option.

You may also consider donning a pair of gloves when you do this to avoid getting any allergens on your hands.

Hand Hygiene

Theres been a lot of talk about hand hygiene in recent times, but this isnt just important where viruses are concerned.

As a person who is allergic to cats, youll likely have made the rookie mistake of touching the cat and then touching your eyes youll know that this isnt a pleasant experience. However, thoroughly washing your hands after petting your kitty will remove any allergens and prevent any accidental transfer to the eyes and nose.

Petal Cleanse

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Prevention is better than cure or so they say, but in this case, there couldnt be a more fitting saying. If there was a way to remove any allergens from your pet before they are airborne, would you do it? The most obvious answer is yes, and this is a perfectly viable option with Petal Cleanse.

This is a solution which can be simply wiped on to the cats coat and wiped off again, taking any allergens with it. Its an excellent solution for anyone who is desperate for a feline sidekick but suffers from allergies.

Of course, the health and safety of the cat is the priority, but the solution is perfectly safe for use and wont cause any adverse reactions for the animal.

Improve The Air Flow In The Home

Any allergen-containing dander in your home wont go anywhere by itself. Whilst cleaning is a significant activity when you have pets, especially pets that cause you an allergic reaction, aerating the home is just as, if not even more essential.

You have two options when it comes to doing this simply opening the windows or investing in an air purifier. Both options are great and will successfully remove a fair amount of dander from the home, but it is essential to remember that if you are going to open windows that there is no chance of the cat escaping or falling from one that is higher up.

Stay On Top Of The Litter Box

A lot of people may be under the impression that waste products from the cat do not cause an allergic reaction but this is a common misconception. The urine of your pet also contains many allergens, and when left to fester, these can spread into the air and trigger your symptoms.

This is why it is essential that you stay on top of changing and cleaning the litter box as and when your cat uses it.

If you have a cat that goes outside, it is possible to train him to do his business outdoors only. This may take some work, but it could drastically reduce the number of allergens you are exposed to within the home.

Go Down The Medical Route

For a lot of people, the tips we have discussed may not be enough to allow them to tolerate living with a cat. But there is one final bit of hope.

Youre more than likely aware that there is a wealth of over-the-counter allergy medications that can quell your symptoms very successfully. If youre looking to learn how to live with a cat if you are allergic, this could be your last line of defense.

However, if your allergies are particularly severe, it may be worth visiting your doctor who can prescribe you with something a little more substantial.

There is also the possibility of getting a test that will determine the exact source of the allergy. This will allow you to better target that in the home for example, if it is the saliva of the cat that causes an issue, you will know to avoid letting the animal lick you. However, these tests usually need to be done privately so they will likely come with a hefty price tag.

Finally, there is the option of immunotherapy which exposes you to the allergen in a controlled, medical environment through drops, injections, or tablets. The concept is based around the idea that regular exposure to something that causes an allergic reaction will allow the immune system to become more tolerant. Similarly to the previous option, this treatment usually requires you to attend a private clinic, although in some extreme cases, it may necessary to seek medical advice

Conclusion

Cats are extraordinary animals, and they have a lot of love to give to their owners, despite their reputation for being independent, many of these animals love nothing more than snuggling up to their human for some TLC. But for people with allergies, this isnt always possible.

That being said, there are many ways that you can reduce or eliminate your allergies, for example, changing the type of flooring in your home, using products to remove allergens from your pet, and undergoing treatment for the allergy, amongst other things.

For most people with mild to moderate allergies, these things will allow them to live side by side with their feline friends. However, if your allergies persist, you may have to accept that your home should remain pet-free for the sake of your health.

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