Cats and Allergies
Discussion
I've never owned a cat myself and past encounters have been fairly fleeting. My parents had a cat until I was aged 4, I looked after a cat for a few weeks in my late teens and one of my ex-girlfriend's had 2 cats, of which I spent 3.5 years around. In all this time, I was fine!
However more recently, whenever I've been near most cats, I feel as though I'm almost suffering from hayfever like symptoms ... So I have a cat allergy
I do find that it's not as bad around some cats as it is others. I'm guessing this could be due to breed and hair length?
Basically, I'd like a cat! I have my own place and I have a cat flap installed! I'd like to rescue a kitten (or a cat!) sometime in the New Year. However I'm worried I'll feel as though I'm suffering from hayfever everyday, for the next ~18 years! Some people have said I'll get over the allergy with time, whereas others have said the diet of the cat makes all the difference. What exactly is true?
Does anyone own a cat and have cat allergies themselves? Also, if I really do suffer, can I take the kitten/cat back to the rescue home?
Cheers!
However more recently, whenever I've been near most cats, I feel as though I'm almost suffering from hayfever like symptoms ... So I have a cat allergy
I do find that it's not as bad around some cats as it is others. I'm guessing this could be due to breed and hair length?Basically, I'd like a cat! I have my own place and I have a cat flap installed! I'd like to rescue a kitten (or a cat!) sometime in the New Year. However I'm worried I'll feel as though I'm suffering from hayfever everyday, for the next ~18 years! Some people have said I'll get over the allergy with time, whereas others have said the diet of the cat makes all the difference. What exactly is true?
Does anyone own a cat and have cat allergies themselves? Also, if I really do suffer, can I take the kitten/cat back to the rescue home?
Cheers!
I think most people do suffer to a degree
We have 2 cats and when we first got them both suffered, the OH more, one night she stroked the cats, went to bed and rubbed her eyes, the next morning she looked like she had been beaten up
She ended up taking antihistamine for a little while and is on the whole fine now
We have 2 cats and when we first got them both suffered, the OH more, one night she stroked the cats, went to bed and rubbed her eyes, the next morning she looked like she had been beaten up
She ended up taking antihistamine for a little while and is on the whole fine now
I've been around cats since I was about seven, always had a bit of a sneeze issue with them but it seemed to be controllable with antihistamine tablets, the cats at my parents house do seem to have me struggling a bit more but it's intermittent, and they are worth the sneezing and wheezing as they're superb.
I think I've become accustomed to them as it seems to have gotten better lately.
I think I've become accustomed to them as it seems to have gotten better lately.
I'm allergic to some cats, but not all.
It's caused by a protein in their saliva, which some cats have either more or less of. Long or short hair makes no difference.
Apparently 'Siberian' cats have the lowest amount of this. Alternatively you could just visit a shelter and pick the cat you're least allergic to. Cats Protection often have cats fostered out in individual homes, so this might be an option to try.
It's caused by a protein in their saliva, which some cats have either more or less of. Long or short hair makes no difference.
Apparently 'Siberian' cats have the lowest amount of this. Alternatively you could just visit a shelter and pick the cat you're least allergic to. Cats Protection often have cats fostered out in individual homes, so this might be an option to try.
I have an allergy to cats and we have one. I take an antihistamine and do my best not to bury my face in her fur for a cuddle.
If I do, my eyes itch and are sore, but she's sooo sweet and it's difficult to resist.
My daughter in law is allergic and she is okay for a day visit, but has to use a pump if staying overnight which they rarely do as a result.
I would think very carefully about it, especially if you have encountered problems in the past.
The symptoms are not pleasant, runny nose, itchy eyes, congested breathing........
You can make life easier by keeping the cat out of your bedroom and dining room. My cat will only ever pause at the door of these rooms and look in...she will never venture through the doors
Good luck.
If I do, my eyes itch and are sore, but she's sooo sweet and it's difficult to resist.
My daughter in law is allergic and she is okay for a day visit, but has to use a pump if staying overnight which they rarely do as a result.
I would think very carefully about it, especially if you have encountered problems in the past.
The symptoms are not pleasant, runny nose, itchy eyes, congested breathing........
You can make life easier by keeping the cat out of your bedroom and dining room. My cat will only ever pause at the door of these rooms and look in...she will never venture through the doors
Good luck.
Good Q and interesting responses.
We have a cat and I am slightly allergic to it. But I become more immune after a while.
If we go away for a couple of weeks then I will show (mild) allergic symptoms when we get home again, but they disappear within a day or so. Also, I get slightly stronger symptoms when we visit other people with cats (my folks, for instance). But, again, they go away within a day or so.
Oli.
We have a cat and I am slightly allergic to it. But I become more immune after a while.
If we go away for a couple of weeks then I will show (mild) allergic symptoms when we get home again, but they disappear within a day or so. Also, I get slightly stronger symptoms when we visit other people with cats (my folks, for instance). But, again, they go away within a day or so.
Oli.
As a kid I had very bad allergies towards cats & dogs, to the extent I couldn't spend 20+ more minutes with them or even that long in a house with cat hair.
I now have 2 x cats and dogs!
You can grow out of it , it takes time, I find:
Not all cats are the same allergy wise
Contact lenses stop my eyes getting itchy
Prescription allergy spray helps, if I ever get the odd attack
Carpets make it worse, hard/laminate floors help, I also hoover once a day or so.
Wash you hands lots, if I touch my eye after stroking my cat it flares up huge!
Somtimes you got to MTFU up at first, I think it has been worth it because I get to have them as pets and my allergies overall have eased off.
I still get allergy attacks when I go round in-laws houses who have labs, but my terrier has no effect on me
I now have 2 x cats and dogs!
You can grow out of it , it takes time, I find:
Not all cats are the same allergy wise
Contact lenses stop my eyes getting itchy
Prescription allergy spray helps, if I ever get the odd attack
Carpets make it worse, hard/laminate floors help, I also hoover once a day or so.
Wash you hands lots, if I touch my eye after stroking my cat it flares up huge!
Somtimes you got to MTFU up at first, I think it has been worth it because I get to have them as pets and my allergies overall have eased off.
I still get allergy attacks when I go round in-laws houses who have labs, but my terrier has no effect on me
Alergies are weired.
I'm alergic to most dogs. My sister used to have a really hairy Golden Retriever which used to make my eyes and nose stream and effectively give me asthma so it was hard to breathe.
My wife has 2 big hairy cats when we met and I have been absolutely fine with them. No issues at all.
I'm alergic to most dogs. My sister used to have a really hairy Golden Retriever which used to make my eyes and nose stream and effectively give me asthma so it was hard to breathe.
My wife has 2 big hairy cats when we met and I have been absolutely fine with them. No issues at all.
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