Cat Allergies
Cat Allergies questions and answers
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Q: Cat allergies?
I have an apartment with an adorable 10 week old kitten. I love him to death but I have severe allergies agasint him. I want to keep him so are there any ways besides keeping him out of my bedroom, allergy meds (for me), vaccuming alot, and using cat allergy spray on him? I'll try anything!!
A: My mom isnt severly allergic, but she does have allergies against cats. Bathing/brushing the cats on a regular basis has helped a lot. After a while she became more tollerant of the dander or what not, but just be sure to always wash your hands after petting him :)
Q: Cat Allergies?
Hi, would like some info from any cat lovers/experts out there. im moving in with my gf soon and i reallyyy want a cat. however she is allergic to cats, is there any particular breed or anything that has the least effect on ppls allergies?
thanks a lot
A: People are allergic to cat dander (skin flakes) or cat saliva, not cat hair as most people tend to believe. All cats will have dander and all cats wash themselves so if allergic, all cats will be a problem. Heavily shedding cats will leave more saliva-coated hair around so long haired are likely worse. Your gf should not live with a cat unless she is willing to take allergy meds or get shots for cat allergies. My allergist is not willing to give the shots for cat allergies as his suggestion is to get rid of the cat (not an option, IMO).
Q: cat allergies?
My husband is deathly allergic to cats. Our 6 year old wants a cat really bad. Do the hairless cats have the same allergy effect as a cat with hair? My husband said he would get a hairless cat if it doesn't effect his allergies. Thanks for your input.
A: From what I have heard it is mainly from the dandruff and saliva that causes the allergies, not necessarily the hair.
Have you tried getting in contact with any breeders? Maybe they will let you visit and see if your husband can be okay around them? If he wants to try that?
Q: How can I cure my cat allergies without medication?
I love cats. I have a cat of my own and I use to be allergic to him but I got use to his allergies after a while. Now I am fostering 4 kittens that I am allergic to. Does anybody know any natural remedies?
A: I'm also allergic to cats, and I have 2 full grown cats. That said, I'm no expert on the matter. My allergies still act up every now and then, but I just take that as the price I pay for having the cats. There really is no cure unless you have extremely mild allergies, in my opinion. I take Zyrtec whenever it acts up, and that usually helps. But other than that, I just make sure to brush them every day, bathe them anywhere between once a week to once a month, and keep the house (especially all furniture) vacuumed. You mainly need to get the kittens used to being brushed and bathed early on. Hope some of this helps!!
Q: What should I take for my cat allergies if I am spending the night with cats?
My boyfriend and I are house sitting for some friends and I have pretty bad cat allergies. For the past several years I've taken benadryl around my friend's cats which works out okay, but I'm never around them for more than a few hours....
I will be spending the night in a house with cats and I want to know for allergies (itchy eyes, really itchy skin, sometimes hives) what kind of medicine would be most effective.
A: Probably Zyrtec if it's not a terrible allergy. But if it's bad, like you get so sick bad, ask your doctor, he can prescribe something.
Q: Is it possible to eliminate cat allergies?
I have been allergic to cats and horses for the past 5 years, or so. I used to own a cat, and I also used to horse back ride regularly. I have always LOVED animals, and this is very heartbreaking to me. I want to pursue my career as a Veterinary Technician, and this is really holding me back. It is also eliminating living opportunities. If anyone knows of how I can at least relieve my allergies enough to work with and around cats, I would really appreciate it. Most of all, I want to know if there are ways to eliminate the allergies.
Thank you.
A: For cats there is a shampoo that you can wash them in that removes a lot of dander (what you are allergic to). Look at low shedding, low dander breeds of cat (get out your checkbook) like bengals, manx and rexs. There is an allergy free cat breed that was genetically created but its like $3000 per cat! And of course, you can always get a hairless cat and just wipe them down daily.
Otherwise, try using anahistamines like Benedryl or clariton. And ask your doctor about allergy shots which are often very effective. The shots have to be repeated every couple of months, but I don't think they are too expensive and if you love cats, then it might be the best option!
Good luck!
Q: What should I do about my cat allergies?
I have mild cat allergies and a friend told me about a simple solution that didn't involve medication. I forgot what it was though. Does anyone have any natural remedies to allergies?
A: Either get a shot from a doctor, or avoid cats.
Q: What is the best cat for someone with cat allergies?
We want a cat because I like them and my wife things their "thick skin" will help in ridding us of our Scorpions in the summer. I'd a Maine Coon once and loved him but he was 1 of the two cats I had to give up because of her allergies. She wants to try again and wanted to see if there is one breed worse than the other when it comes to allergies.
A: I found the link you were referring to on cats hunting scorpions.
The link says "phoenix myths".
http://phoenix.about.com/od/phoenixmyths/qt/catscorpion.htm
The last paragraph reads:
So, what's my final answer? I believe it is a myth that having a cat will reduce your scorpion population and that cats are immune to scorpion venom. You should get a cat if you'd like to have a cat as a pet, and not solely as a scorpion hunter/killer.
Here are links showing that cats can be injured by scorpions when they try to kill them. Cat's do not have "Thick skins". It's the thick fur that *sometimes* prevents a scorpion from stinging a cat, but if the cat gets stung in the face or feet where the fur isn't so long, then hope it wasn't one of the poisonous scorpions that stung it. Think of the vet bills.
http://www.cathospitalofaustin.com/Library/Scorpions.htm
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/what-to-do-if-a-scorpion-stings-your-pet/page1.aspx
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But as far as hypo-allergenic cats:
There is no truly 100% allergin free cat, sorry.
The closest you can get is a "barking cat", like a chihuahua, or a miniature pinscher.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/toy_group.cfm
Small toy dogs can be litter trained, but I'm not sure on the details.
Here is a link:
http://www.elvisyorkshireterrier.com/dog_training/litter-training-dog.htm
But if you are seriously looking for a cat, *as a pet* a
*Siberian Cat* may to be the way to go.
Siberian Cat Breeder in New Jersey USA
http://www.siberian-cat-breeder.com/hypo_allergenic_cat.html
I found a supporting claim that Siberian Cats tend to be less allergenic. From the Cats - love to know site, non-allergenic page.
http://cats.lovetoknow.com/Non_Allergenic_Cats
Here's what this link has to say:
Although it has long been a misconception that people are allergic to cat fur, this isn't really the cause behind all of that coughing and sneezing. Actually, what causes the reaction is a glyco-protein known as Fel d1 that is found in cat saliva and urine, as well as in the sebaceous glands.
When cats groom themselves, they distribute this protein over their entire coat. As the substance dries, it forms tiny flakes that are light as air. Whenever the cat rubs against something or is petted, the flakes are released into the atmosphere where they find their way into people's nostrils and lungs. They can even land on an allergic person's skin, causing rashes that range from mild to severe.
and also what it has to say about Siberian Cats:
Many cat enthusiasts claim Siberians are actually non allergenic cats, and scientific testing seems to bear this information out, at least to a certain extent. The theory has always been that Siberians produce a significantly lower level of the Fel d1 protein than most other cat breeds. When testing was carried out against a limited number of other breeds, including Abyssinians and the average Tabby, the Siberian did indeed show lower levels of the protein in fur and skin samples.
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The allerca pets are just tested for producing less of the Fel d1 protein and are then bred with each other. Also, they are all fixed, so you can't breed them. That they are fixed may not sound so terrible, until you check their investment level prices...
http://www.allerca.com/html/development.html
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Q: Can anyone recommend a good medication to take to treat cat allergies?
I have been allergic to cats all my life. I also have other allergies. Every allergy medication i have tried works for all of my allegies except for the cat allergy. Every weekend i am over my boyfriend's house and i suffer from the moment i walk in the door. I have been on every prescription allergy pill you can think of. Right now i am on Clartin D and it works great for every other allergy. I wish it worked on the cat allergy!! If someone can recommend something that might help i would appreciate it.
A: I am not sure if you have tried Flonase or not. Some people report great results with Zyrtec. However, there are some things that your boyfriend can do before you walk in the door to help with your cat allergen exposure. First, what is making you sick is a protein that is found in the saliva and urine of the cat. As the cat licks and pees, it gets this stuff on the skin and fur. It either flakes off on its own or gets shed with the skin or fur. When you inhale this protein, your body thinks it is an evil germ invader and insists that the immune system kick into action and fight the enemy that really isn't even there. Since the problem is a protein, it can be restructured (this is called de-naturing) by the use of heat, acid or alkalines. If you denature the protein, it won't cause you a problem any more. There is a product called ADMS spray that your boyfriend can spray all around where the cat hangs out BEFORE you get there. I will give you a link to the manufacturer's site and you can read about it. There is also a coat conditioner called Allerpet/C that your boyfriend can use on the cat once a week to make it look all pretty and more importantly to denature that pesky protein. I will give you a link for that too. I will also give you a link to a page with great step by step instructions for controlling cat allergies as well as to an article that explains exactly what it is going on. With a little effort, you, the boyfriend, and the cat can enjoy the week-ends.
Q: How effective would a Ragdoll be for my cat allergies?
I have mild-ish cat allergies and I'm desperate for a Ragdoll kitten. I have heard that these cats are hypo-allergenic? I get itchy-red-watery eyes around regular cats. Would the Ragdoll do the trick? Any allergic owners who have had experiences with this breed? Thanks so much.
A: well.....these cats shed A LOT! (I don't have a shirt without cat hair on it) I have a ragdoll cat, but im not allergic, but my friend it and she always tries to steer clear of my cat. maybe you should try some allergy pills, i hope you get a ragdoll! they are THE BEST!
Q: What was the outcome of raising your child around a cat from birth with regards to allergies?
I have a 4 month old daughter and I worry that she will be allergic to our cat. I was not raised around cats but have cat allergies. I tried to give the cat away during pregnancy but didn't cause everyone told me it would be fine. Who's right? If you raised your child from birth around your cat, what was the outcome? Did they have allergies? Thanks!
A: Raising children around pets actually makes them less likely to have allergies because their immune system becomes accustomed to the dander. I was raised around pets and I will raise my own children around pets some day. I have no allergies, and unless your child starts to show signs of allergies, don't even worry about it. =)
Q: People with cat allergies: what kind of cats do you recommend?
I'm thinking of getting a cat, and nobody seems to be quite sure if Sphynx cats are good or bad for allergies. So people with both allergies and cats, what's worked for you? Any tips?
A: It's a chemical in the saliva (Fel d1) that triggers the allergic reaction. It gets on the fur and skin when the cat grooms itself and then spreads everywhere when the cat sheds. That's why even the nearly hairless Sphynx isn't allergy free.
Some people say Rexs and Siberians tend to cause less of a problem. You should try to spend time with them before you get one to see how you react. This will give you an indication of which one is right for you.
How severe are your allergies? Mine are very bad. I was adopted by a short haired cat and it's a shedding machine. Despite all the vacuuming I do, I have to take 3 prescription drugs to control my allergies. I've had the cat for 2 1/2 yrs and it hasn't gotten any better. I've heard stories of people who get used to their cat and don't have problems after a few months. I'm not one of them.
EDIT: I added a link with tips about living with a cat when you have allergies.
Q: How to help someone with cat allergies in my home?
Ok the girl I'm seeing is pretty allergic to cats. She sneezes and her eyes get all watery n puffy every time she comes to my house... I'm not tryin to get rid of the cat since I've had it years n have grown to like it (I'm a dog lover myself). But how can I help this girl out so her allergies don't get in the way of us? Any help would be great.
A: She has ALLERGIC RHINITIS. You better send the cat out when your girl comes to your house. Rhinitis can be really annoying, you'll end up having headache, runny nose and all..yikes*
Q: What is the best over the counter allergy medication for cat allergies?
When my boyfriend comes over he gets all congested from my cat. His nose gets stuffy, he starts coughing, his chest gets tight and he starts to wheezing. I cant get rid of my cat today but still want him comfortable. He also has other indoor and outdoor allergies! Help me please!!
A: i have allergies too so i know exactly what he's going through especially if it's a long haired cat. I think maybe...Benadryll.. That's what i use when my allergies act up.
Q: How can I manage my cat allergies?
I'm getting a couple of kittens next month, but in the past have been allergic to them. I really love cats and it would be like a dream come true to have some. I've read that people who are allergic to cats still have them as pets and can manage their allergies. Obviously I won't let them in my bedroom and am thinking of keeping them off the sofas too if that would help.
Does anyone with cat allergies have cats, and if so do you have any tips for me? Thanks in advance.
A: Normally I would say rescue a cat, but since you have allergies, there are a few purebreds that are less likely to bother you, like the Cornish Rex: http://www.geocities.com/passion4cats/CornishRex.html