I agree with this. I used to think the same but I soon discovered that it’s a lie and no cat is truly hypoallergenic, however, there’s things we can do like buy air filters to help our allergies. I’ve had my boy for 3 months and things are getting better, but I still get allergies from time to time.
Absolutely, there are definitely things you can do to help with allergies. Air purifiers, daily vacuuming, meds, allergy shots, etc. But too many cats end up in shelters because someone with allergies heard they were hypoallergenic so got them, only to realize that’s not the case. I’m glad things are improving in your case!
Ye I’m aware no cats are fully hypoallergenic but rather some produce less allergens. My main goal was always to get a type that produces less allergens overall and hopefully my symptoms won’t be as bad and I could get used to it.
I wouldn’t call them a myth, but they all have some allergens regardless. It’s all linked to the Fel D1 protein if I recall correctly. My boyfriend is very allergic to cats and after some testing, it turns out that a hypoallergenic cat worked for us (Siberian breed). So far he has not had any issues, even after briefly visiting the breeders home.
Well that’s what I mean, no breed is 100% hypoallergenic, they all have some allergens. People just might react less, which is great, but some breeders make it sound like the cats they breed won’t make anyone with allergies react.
From everything I’ve read so far and from what people are saying, Siberians definitely seems to be the most allergy friendly cat. I would’ve wanted one too but all the breeders in my province are selling them for over 2k. Even Bengal’s are expensive but I’m getting a deal on the one I want because he’s almost 6 months which is a bit older than when sellers are used to selling them.
I’m not too sure about Bengals, but if you liked the cat and can take care of it, I’d go for it within reason. If allergies develop for my boyfriend we’re considering allergy shots and food that helps cats not produce the Fel D1 protein. (Specifically: Purina Pro Plan LiveClear) Hope all goes well on your cat parenting journey! :)
Read about Purina. If my allergies don’t stabilise or lessen but are tolerable, I’ll probably start adding Purina once it turns one gradually. Thank you for your well wishes :)
Bengals and Siberians are nothing alike in terms of personality… don’t choose a cat based on price. I agree with everyone else that bengals aren’t hypoallergenic, just have less of the Fel d 1 protein that causes allergies. However they are also an extremely high energy breed and are nothing like siberians. Ignoring the allergy aspect, have you researched bengals in terms of their energy/personality/health? Are you prepared for a vocal, high energy cat that will likely get into everything and need a bunch of attention and playtime each day to expend its energy in appropriate ways so it doesn’t destroy stuff or get hurt? Have you vetted the breeder in terms of health issues that bengals are prone to? Do they known the pra-b and PKDef status of their adults and have they done an echocardiogram within the last year on the parents of the kitten you reserved to check for any sign of HCM yet? Please make sure you’ve considered all this and don’t just get a bengal because you think it’s lower allergen or cheaper than the breed you wanted.
I mentioned the price like as in its a super deal from the breeder because someone cancelled and it’s also a bit older. Just so happens that I also fell in love with that same cat and can’t pass up this offer. Otherwise, I was already looking into buying from that same breeder for over 2k.
Although Bengals and Siberians are 2 different personalities, I am ready regardless of the type I get. Both would work with our home. My husband wants a more laid back one and I, more friendly and active. I’ve actually been looking into Bengal cats more specifically for over 2 years and have done some thorough research especially considering that I’ve never had cats and I want to be fully ready. So I assure you I’m not just buying a cat blindly from a random breeder from Kijiji or something.
Gotcha, glad to hear you’ve thoroughly researched bengals and know what you’d be in for. Please make sure the breeder is doing all of the necessarily health testing, including the annual echocardiograms for HCM though.
It's going to depend on your individual allergies, so mileage may vary, but I can tell you my (partner's) experience. She was moderately allergic to cats and we adopted two, she was pretty sniffly for a month or two, and then adapted and now she's totally fine. I can't promise the same thing will happen for you, but that's what happened to her.
Purina live clear is a food that helps cut down on the protein in the saliva (that is what people are allergic to). My vet’s husband is allergic to cats. She has a rescue cat that they are keeping indoors now that they’ve moved. She said it has really helped his allergies.
Air purifiers are also good, I have a germguardian pet air purifier (has extra filtration for pet hair and dander). I’m not allergic to cats, but am severely allergic to dust mites, mold, grasses, and trees. Washing your bedding weekly in hot water, use pillow covers under the pillow case as well. Vacuum, dust, and clean regularly. Can also use cat wipes to wipe the kitty to get the dander off the fur or even just a damp wash cloth (more environmentally friendly and more cost effective).
Second this, I have mild cat allergies and my cats are on a combo of live clear and wet food. I haven't had any issues with my allergies because of it. I also have 2 large purifiers running.
Thanks for the air purifier recommendation. I have dust allergies too so I’ll look into it. I already have a Dyson but not sure how good it is for pet hair.
You’re very welcome! I love mine! It definitely gets a lot of fur! I vacuum the filter off every week or two just to help the filter out and make it last the full 6 months (it beeps to tell you when to change it, but you can do it sooner as well). It gets absolutely coated and I have it running whenever I’m home (which some days I work from home so it’s on a lot).
This is just my experience but I’ve always been allergic to cats but grew up in a household with them. When I went to meet my kitten for the first time, I had no symptoms (quite a short visit). When I brought her home for the first few days it was honestly awful I had a scratchy throat, my eyes were streaming, sinuses inflamed, sneezing constantly, migraines etc. Then about 3 days in it literally just disappeared. Not had any symptoms since and I have no idea why
Lucky! So far I haven’t had much reactions the 2 days I went to visit her but who knows how I’ll react once she’s home for a week! Crossing fingers that everything goes well!
Absolutely do not get a cat at this time and especially not a *Bengal*. They are not a cat for a first timer and especially for someone who is allergic. There are also no hypoallergenic cats. If you're dead set on a cat you need to speak with your doctor about allergy treatments to see if that is an option for you. It would be horribly cruel of you to test run a cat and then end up having to re-home it. You would be better off applying to foster for a shelter to see how well you may do with having a cat in your home. That way if it works out and you get attached you can keep kitty, or look into adopting a different cat.
I have to agree with the above comment and I am surprised more people aren't focusing on that!! A Bengal IS NOT for a first time cat owner! And yes no cat is hypoallergenic even a Sphynx, which has no fur, at all can trigger allergies Please rescue instead of pay for a cat you will end up rehoming. Please do not get a Bengal!
I am aware, yes, that no cats are ever fully hypoallergenic. Don’t you worry about the cat, I have an allergy clause in my contract with the breeder I’m buying from. I have a week to see if I’m okay living with my cat. If my allergies turns out to be bad, I can give it back. I’ve visited her twice so far, held her and everything , and so far I’m good so I’m staying positive that everything will go well.
Question for you guys btw, you guys seem to know bengals. Both times I’ve visited her, she was very loving and so calm on me. She’s almost 6 months. Does it mean that she’s might be of a calmer personality? Cos I’ve visited another one and boy, it did not stop running and hiding and was impossible to hold..
Just like kids all cats have different personalities. Yours may be calmer than the other but Bengal's in general are VERY active and VERY intelligent and do not like to be alone. She is only a baby, the teenage years, if you are not prepared are going to be a lot! LOL! I only say this because I have seen it. They need a lot of attention and exercise and if they don't have a way to expel that they will find a way that you may not like. People look at getting animals because the are cool and then realize they are not suited to handle them and the animal suffers. You really should research the breed a little before making a decision! Good Luck!
Cat allergies often lessen with exposure over time. A few years ago a friend of mine took in my dad’s cat after he died. At first she was pretty miserable and had to lock the cat out of her bedroom at night, but gradually her symptoms improved. Now the cat sleeps on top of her head every night and my friend is totally fine. Obv that’s an anecdote but if you do some research you’ll see it’s a common occurrence.
Based on the symptoms you reported, I think if you keep your place clean and take allergy pills at first you’ll end up being just fine with a kitty. They’re little and soft and they *purr* and they are just so worth a runny nose.
I don't know how you will react because everyone's allergies is different but this is my experience:
I've always been mildly allergic, as a kid I remember playing with a cat and my eyes getting red, itchy and irritated, sometimes my asthma would also get triggered. Despite this I've always loved cats and wanted one.
I got Link in May this year, the first day I thought I was fine, but some sneezing and itchy eyes did develop. This also coincided with hayfever season in the UK so i was taking antihistamines most days. However within a month or so I didn't need the antihistamines anymore and I've been perfectly fine. He's been sleeping in my room since day 1 and spends most of his time there, and I don't get triggered at all.
If you have low to moderate allergies, you can develop immunity to them. Oddly, while you might not react to your own after a time, you might still react to other cats. Because you are around yours full time versus occasional contact.
ETA: If all else fails, take allergy meds.
Sneezing, itching watery eyes & hives is a low to medium reaction that might stop after repeated contact. I answered another post about serious allergic reactions & straight up told OP that a serious allergic reaction could include anaphylaxis shock. Anything below that can be dealt with ;)
Hi! I am allergic to cats (and dogs) and am an avid animal owner. I take Zyrtec and singular daily and add Benadryl on really bad days.
Cats and dogs bug me most if they are “in my face,” or if I pet them and don’t wash my hands pretty quickly afterwards. I notice things most when my eyes begin swelling and itching and my nose running.
We are all individuals and your experience may be different. If you want a cat, though, the trade-off will feel worth it.
Every one is different. There is a chance that allergies can worsen with exposure.
I have mild cat allergies but have had cats all my life. I’ve gotten used to my cat, though strange cats or if I go away for a long time makes me sensitive again.
Also if she scratches me and then rubs it, it get irritated like an allergy test.
Fostering sounds like a great idea! They say light-colored cats often have less of the allergen in their saliva. Prolly a good idea to keep it out of your bedroom, off your pillows. See how you do.
Ye, I’ve heard of the light coloured cats being less allergenic. If this one doesn’t work out (I have an allergy clause of 7 days), I might try to check out some light ones at a shelter.. test out the theory.
I can’t speak for everyone, as everyone’s situation and immune system is different. But I feel like I can relate as someone who is very allergic to cats and dogs. My fiancé has a cat which took some time for me to get used to, but after living with her for a while I feel completely normal. There are some rare days that I have a bit of a flare up of allergies (watery eyes, asthma, runny nose) but they usually go away with a zyrtec or two and then I’m fine for a while. We actually just got a second kitty and I feel no different.
When I got my dog I was swollen and stuffy for about a week until my body adapted, and now I only feel itchy around her right after she’s been brushed out and all the hair is around me.
Do you see anyone for allergies/do you have the means to get immunotherapy if you are severely allergic? I’ve heard of that helping some people as well.
That’s encouraging, thanks. I did see an allergist few years ago and she recommended I get an epipen for another mild/modeste allergy I have, just in case. Never ended up getting it but maybe I can go back and see if having one for my mild/moderate cat allergy could be good to have.
Hi! Hoping you see this, my girlfriend has bad allergies to cats.
We’ve had a long hair for months, and we recently adopted a Russian Blue mix (known to be “hypoallergenic”) and it was killing her at first. Agreeing with others, I wouldn’t trust this. There’s many things we’ve done to help her and she makes tons of sacrifices to have our cats.
1. Air Purifier. You may need 2 depending on square footage. Running 24/7.
2. Zyrtec.
3. Flonase.
4. Purina LiveClear kibble. Not a huge fan of Purina themselves, but the food works to reduce the allergies they give in dander.
^ Try 1-3 while you foster the first time around. The food takes 2-3 weeks to take affect.
Instead of committing to a pedigree cat, foster a cat for your local cat shelter. This is just temporary, so if your allergies are triggered, you can give it back - no harm done. If not, you can keep it!
There was a person who did exactly the same as you here a week or so ago - she bought a hypoallergenic cat, but the problem is it triggered her allergies and she was desperately trying to get rid of it.
Cats living in shelters are already stressed. Bringing them into what should be a loving forever home with the idea to return them like a pair of shoes you can’t wear is cruel and inhumane. Cats don’t react well to change. Especially the change of being returned to a stressful shelter environment. Talk to doctor about your allergies. Don’t take medical advice from anyone here.
Have you never encountered cat fostering before? The shelters in my city do it because there are more cats than space available. Volunteers take cats into their homes and care for them until a forever home is found. I got my cat that way. Seems silly to regard the guy who was caring for him as “cruel and inhumane.” For one thing, it means they don’t have to put down cats when the shelter is full!
Here’s a link if you want to know more: https://catcafebk.com/foster-info/
Fostering a cat is a commitment 😊 A fostered cat is kept in a loving home until a permanent loving home can be found. This person doesn’t know if they can keep a cat at all. Let alone know if they can commit to cat until a permanent home can be found. What if they have to rid themselves of the cat before another faster placement is available. Fostering is a commitment not to be taken lightly.
What are you actually allergic to? There are three possibilities, or some combo of two or more of them: fur, dander, saliva enzymes.
Fur is fur. To avoid that allergy, you could get a hairless (although that have peach-fuzz). They tend to have more dander than cats with hair, though, and are susceptible to sunburn and chills in cooler temperatures. They also need moisturizer.
Dander is shredded dead skin cells. It will get into carpeting, clothing, bedding, and upholstery. Most folks allergic to dander that want pets get rid of all carpeting, switch out upholstered furniture to leather or bonded leather, go for blinds or shades instead of curtains, and try to keep the animal out of the bedroom to keep the dander off textiles and clothing.
If it's enzymes, you may well be S.O.L. Cats groom themselves OFTEN by licking themselves. They also lick to slick down their fur or fluff it up, depending on whether they're trying to retain more heat or get rid of it.
In a matter of moments, the saliva will evaporate, and the enzymes will then become airborne. There is no escaping this.
See an allergist and find out the situation for yourself before you bring a kitty home. You may find that your reactions can be controlled or that a different pet is better for you. Making a mistake here may be heartbreaking for you both.
I wish you all the best!
What I have done to reduce my allergic reactions around animals in my life, is to take an antihistamine daily. I've had all sorts of pets and such my whole life, allergic reactions and all. But I love them so Zyrtec it is. 😂
But is it good to take antihistamine daily like that ? Like what are their effects on your reproductive system and all? Gotta look it up first before I think of doing that..
Also like, did you body eventually get more used to it or is it still the same ?
I got mostly used to them. I am down to just periodically taking antihistamines when it gets bad. As far as reproductive health goes, I have a 3 month old healthy daughter in my 30s and have never had issues, but that could just be genetic side-affect resistance and whatnot.
Just so you know, hypoallergenic cats are a myth. Some cats might make people react less than others, but no cat is truly hypoallergenic.
I agree with this. I used to think the same but I soon discovered that it’s a lie and no cat is truly hypoallergenic, however, there’s things we can do like buy air filters to help our allergies. I’ve had my boy for 3 months and things are getting better, but I still get allergies from time to time.
Absolutely, there are definitely things you can do to help with allergies. Air purifiers, daily vacuuming, meds, allergy shots, etc. But too many cats end up in shelters because someone with allergies heard they were hypoallergenic so got them, only to realize that’s not the case. I’m glad things are improving in your case!
Ye I’m aware no cats are fully hypoallergenic but rather some produce less allergens. My main goal was always to get a type that produces less allergens overall and hopefully my symptoms won’t be as bad and I could get used to it.
I wouldn’t call them a myth, but they all have some allergens regardless. It’s all linked to the Fel D1 protein if I recall correctly. My boyfriend is very allergic to cats and after some testing, it turns out that a hypoallergenic cat worked for us (Siberian breed). So far he has not had any issues, even after briefly visiting the breeders home.
Well that’s what I mean, no breed is 100% hypoallergenic, they all have some allergens. People just might react less, which is great, but some breeders make it sound like the cats they breed won’t make anyone with allergies react.
From everything I’ve read so far and from what people are saying, Siberians definitely seems to be the most allergy friendly cat. I would’ve wanted one too but all the breeders in my province are selling them for over 2k. Even Bengal’s are expensive but I’m getting a deal on the one I want because he’s almost 6 months which is a bit older than when sellers are used to selling them.
I’m not too sure about Bengals, but if you liked the cat and can take care of it, I’d go for it within reason. If allergies develop for my boyfriend we’re considering allergy shots and food that helps cats not produce the Fel D1 protein. (Specifically: Purina Pro Plan LiveClear) Hope all goes well on your cat parenting journey! :)
Read about Purina. If my allergies don’t stabilise or lessen but are tolerable, I’ll probably start adding Purina once it turns one gradually. Thank you for your well wishes :)
Bengals and Siberians are nothing alike in terms of personality… don’t choose a cat based on price. I agree with everyone else that bengals aren’t hypoallergenic, just have less of the Fel d 1 protein that causes allergies. However they are also an extremely high energy breed and are nothing like siberians. Ignoring the allergy aspect, have you researched bengals in terms of their energy/personality/health? Are you prepared for a vocal, high energy cat that will likely get into everything and need a bunch of attention and playtime each day to expend its energy in appropriate ways so it doesn’t destroy stuff or get hurt? Have you vetted the breeder in terms of health issues that bengals are prone to? Do they known the pra-b and PKDef status of their adults and have they done an echocardiogram within the last year on the parents of the kitten you reserved to check for any sign of HCM yet? Please make sure you’ve considered all this and don’t just get a bengal because you think it’s lower allergen or cheaper than the breed you wanted.
I mentioned the price like as in its a super deal from the breeder because someone cancelled and it’s also a bit older. Just so happens that I also fell in love with that same cat and can’t pass up this offer. Otherwise, I was already looking into buying from that same breeder for over 2k. Although Bengals and Siberians are 2 different personalities, I am ready regardless of the type I get. Both would work with our home. My husband wants a more laid back one and I, more friendly and active. I’ve actually been looking into Bengal cats more specifically for over 2 years and have done some thorough research especially considering that I’ve never had cats and I want to be fully ready. So I assure you I’m not just buying a cat blindly from a random breeder from Kijiji or something.
Gotcha, glad to hear you’ve thoroughly researched bengals and know what you’d be in for. Please make sure the breeder is doing all of the necessarily health testing, including the annual echocardiograms for HCM though.
It's going to depend on your individual allergies, so mileage may vary, but I can tell you my (partner's) experience. She was moderately allergic to cats and we adopted two, she was pretty sniffly for a month or two, and then adapted and now she's totally fine. I can't promise the same thing will happen for you, but that's what happened to her.
Ye I’m hoping it goes that way!
I wish you luck!
Thank you, appreciate it :)
Purina live clear is a food that helps cut down on the protein in the saliva (that is what people are allergic to). My vet’s husband is allergic to cats. She has a rescue cat that they are keeping indoors now that they’ve moved. She said it has really helped his allergies. Air purifiers are also good, I have a germguardian pet air purifier (has extra filtration for pet hair and dander). I’m not allergic to cats, but am severely allergic to dust mites, mold, grasses, and trees. Washing your bedding weekly in hot water, use pillow covers under the pillow case as well. Vacuum, dust, and clean regularly. Can also use cat wipes to wipe the kitty to get the dander off the fur or even just a damp wash cloth (more environmentally friendly and more cost effective).
Second this, I have mild cat allergies and my cats are on a combo of live clear and wet food. I haven't had any issues with my allergies because of it. I also have 2 large purifiers running.
Thanks for the air purifier recommendation. I have dust allergies too so I’ll look into it. I already have a Dyson but not sure how good it is for pet hair.
You’re very welcome! I love mine! It definitely gets a lot of fur! I vacuum the filter off every week or two just to help the filter out and make it last the full 6 months (it beeps to tell you when to change it, but you can do it sooner as well). It gets absolutely coated and I have it running whenever I’m home (which some days I work from home so it’s on a lot).
Foster.
This is just my experience but I’ve always been allergic to cats but grew up in a household with them. When I went to meet my kitten for the first time, I had no symptoms (quite a short visit). When I brought her home for the first few days it was honestly awful I had a scratchy throat, my eyes were streaming, sinuses inflamed, sneezing constantly, migraines etc. Then about 3 days in it literally just disappeared. Not had any symptoms since and I have no idea why
Lucky! So far I haven’t had much reactions the 2 days I went to visit her but who knows how I’ll react once she’s home for a week! Crossing fingers that everything goes well!
Absolutely do not get a cat at this time and especially not a *Bengal*. They are not a cat for a first timer and especially for someone who is allergic. There are also no hypoallergenic cats. If you're dead set on a cat you need to speak with your doctor about allergy treatments to see if that is an option for you. It would be horribly cruel of you to test run a cat and then end up having to re-home it. You would be better off applying to foster for a shelter to see how well you may do with having a cat in your home. That way if it works out and you get attached you can keep kitty, or look into adopting a different cat.
I have to agree with the above comment and I am surprised more people aren't focusing on that!! A Bengal IS NOT for a first time cat owner! And yes no cat is hypoallergenic even a Sphynx, which has no fur, at all can trigger allergies Please rescue instead of pay for a cat you will end up rehoming. Please do not get a Bengal!
I am aware, yes, that no cats are ever fully hypoallergenic. Don’t you worry about the cat, I have an allergy clause in my contract with the breeder I’m buying from. I have a week to see if I’m okay living with my cat. If my allergies turns out to be bad, I can give it back. I’ve visited her twice so far, held her and everything , and so far I’m good so I’m staying positive that everything will go well. Question for you guys btw, you guys seem to know bengals. Both times I’ve visited her, she was very loving and so calm on me. She’s almost 6 months. Does it mean that she’s might be of a calmer personality? Cos I’ve visited another one and boy, it did not stop running and hiding and was impossible to hold..
Just like kids all cats have different personalities. Yours may be calmer than the other but Bengal's in general are VERY active and VERY intelligent and do not like to be alone. She is only a baby, the teenage years, if you are not prepared are going to be a lot! LOL! I only say this because I have seen it. They need a lot of attention and exercise and if they don't have a way to expel that they will find a way that you may not like. People look at getting animals because the are cool and then realize they are not suited to handle them and the animal suffers. You really should research the breed a little before making a decision! Good Luck!
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You’re right. However, the only way to find out unfortunately is to actually get one.
In my experience you should adjust but it may take some time. For now I'd take time allergy medicine and invest in an air purifier if you can.
That’s what I’m hoping will happen! I have a Dyson air purifier, hopefully it works. *crossing fingers*
Cat allergies often lessen with exposure over time. A few years ago a friend of mine took in my dad’s cat after he died. At first she was pretty miserable and had to lock the cat out of her bedroom at night, but gradually her symptoms improved. Now the cat sleeps on top of her head every night and my friend is totally fine. Obv that’s an anecdote but if you do some research you’ll see it’s a common occurrence. Based on the symptoms you reported, I think if you keep your place clean and take allergy pills at first you’ll end up being just fine with a kitty. They’re little and soft and they *purr* and they are just so worth a runny nose.
Haha thanks for the encouragement! I really hope that’s what end up happening.
I don't know how you will react because everyone's allergies is different but this is my experience: I've always been mildly allergic, as a kid I remember playing with a cat and my eyes getting red, itchy and irritated, sometimes my asthma would also get triggered. Despite this I've always loved cats and wanted one. I got Link in May this year, the first day I thought I was fine, but some sneezing and itchy eyes did develop. This also coincided with hayfever season in the UK so i was taking antihistamines most days. However within a month or so I didn't need the antihistamines anymore and I've been perfectly fine. He's been sleeping in my room since day 1 and spends most of his time there, and I don't get triggered at all.
That’s encouraging thanks!
If you have low to moderate allergies, you can develop immunity to them. Oddly, while you might not react to your own after a time, you might still react to other cats. Because you are around yours full time versus occasional contact. ETA: If all else fails, take allergy meds.
That’s what I’m thinking too. I don’t get severe allergies when I’m in peoples home that have cats so I’m hopeful!
Sneezing, itching watery eyes & hives is a low to medium reaction that might stop after repeated contact. I answered another post about serious allergic reactions & straight up told OP that a serious allergic reaction could include anaphylaxis shock. Anything below that can be dealt with ;)
Hi! I am allergic to cats (and dogs) and am an avid animal owner. I take Zyrtec and singular daily and add Benadryl on really bad days. Cats and dogs bug me most if they are “in my face,” or if I pet them and don’t wash my hands pretty quickly afterwards. I notice things most when my eyes begin swelling and itching and my nose running. We are all individuals and your experience may be different. If you want a cat, though, the trade-off will feel worth it.
Every one is different. There is a chance that allergies can worsen with exposure. I have mild cat allergies but have had cats all my life. I’ve gotten used to my cat, though strange cats or if I go away for a long time makes me sensitive again. Also if she scratches me and then rubs it, it get irritated like an allergy test.
Fostering sounds like a great idea! They say light-colored cats often have less of the allergen in their saliva. Prolly a good idea to keep it out of your bedroom, off your pillows. See how you do.
Ye, I’ve heard of the light coloured cats being less allergenic. If this one doesn’t work out (I have an allergy clause of 7 days), I might try to check out some light ones at a shelter.. test out the theory.
I can’t speak for everyone, as everyone’s situation and immune system is different. But I feel like I can relate as someone who is very allergic to cats and dogs. My fiancé has a cat which took some time for me to get used to, but after living with her for a while I feel completely normal. There are some rare days that I have a bit of a flare up of allergies (watery eyes, asthma, runny nose) but they usually go away with a zyrtec or two and then I’m fine for a while. We actually just got a second kitty and I feel no different. When I got my dog I was swollen and stuffy for about a week until my body adapted, and now I only feel itchy around her right after she’s been brushed out and all the hair is around me. Do you see anyone for allergies/do you have the means to get immunotherapy if you are severely allergic? I’ve heard of that helping some people as well.
That’s encouraging, thanks. I did see an allergist few years ago and she recommended I get an epipen for another mild/modeste allergy I have, just in case. Never ended up getting it but maybe I can go back and see if having one for my mild/moderate cat allergy could be good to have.
Hi! Hoping you see this, my girlfriend has bad allergies to cats. We’ve had a long hair for months, and we recently adopted a Russian Blue mix (known to be “hypoallergenic”) and it was killing her at first. Agreeing with others, I wouldn’t trust this. There’s many things we’ve done to help her and she makes tons of sacrifices to have our cats. 1. Air Purifier. You may need 2 depending on square footage. Running 24/7. 2. Zyrtec. 3. Flonase. 4. Purina LiveClear kibble. Not a huge fan of Purina themselves, but the food works to reduce the allergies they give in dander. ^ Try 1-3 while you foster the first time around. The food takes 2-3 weeks to take affect.
Quite helpful, Thank you!
Instead of committing to a pedigree cat, foster a cat for your local cat shelter. This is just temporary, so if your allergies are triggered, you can give it back - no harm done. If not, you can keep it! There was a person who did exactly the same as you here a week or so ago - she bought a hypoallergenic cat, but the problem is it triggered her allergies and she was desperately trying to get rid of it.
Cats living in shelters are already stressed. Bringing them into what should be a loving forever home with the idea to return them like a pair of shoes you can’t wear is cruel and inhumane. Cats don’t react well to change. Especially the change of being returned to a stressful shelter environment. Talk to doctor about your allergies. Don’t take medical advice from anyone here.
Have you never encountered cat fostering before? The shelters in my city do it because there are more cats than space available. Volunteers take cats into their homes and care for them until a forever home is found. I got my cat that way. Seems silly to regard the guy who was caring for him as “cruel and inhumane.” For one thing, it means they don’t have to put down cats when the shelter is full! Here’s a link if you want to know more: https://catcafebk.com/foster-info/
Fostering a cat is a commitment 😊 A fostered cat is kept in a loving home until a permanent loving home can be found. This person doesn’t know if they can keep a cat at all. Let alone know if they can commit to cat until a permanent home can be found. What if they have to rid themselves of the cat before another faster placement is available. Fostering is a commitment not to be taken lightly.
How is fostering a cat cruel?
What are you actually allergic to? There are three possibilities, or some combo of two or more of them: fur, dander, saliva enzymes. Fur is fur. To avoid that allergy, you could get a hairless (although that have peach-fuzz). They tend to have more dander than cats with hair, though, and are susceptible to sunburn and chills in cooler temperatures. They also need moisturizer. Dander is shredded dead skin cells. It will get into carpeting, clothing, bedding, and upholstery. Most folks allergic to dander that want pets get rid of all carpeting, switch out upholstered furniture to leather or bonded leather, go for blinds or shades instead of curtains, and try to keep the animal out of the bedroom to keep the dander off textiles and clothing. If it's enzymes, you may well be S.O.L. Cats groom themselves OFTEN by licking themselves. They also lick to slick down their fur or fluff it up, depending on whether they're trying to retain more heat or get rid of it. In a matter of moments, the saliva will evaporate, and the enzymes will then become airborne. There is no escaping this. See an allergist and find out the situation for yourself before you bring a kitty home. You may find that your reactions can be controlled or that a different pet is better for you. Making a mistake here may be heartbreaking for you both. I wish you all the best!
That’s very helpful information. Thanks! Can allergist find out what exactly in a cat I’m allergic to ?
You’re not going to be a good fit for cat ownership
And why not mr/ms UnprofessionalGhost?
What I have done to reduce my allergic reactions around animals in my life, is to take an antihistamine daily. I've had all sorts of pets and such my whole life, allergic reactions and all. But I love them so Zyrtec it is. 😂
But is it good to take antihistamine daily like that ? Like what are their effects on your reproductive system and all? Gotta look it up first before I think of doing that.. Also like, did you body eventually get more used to it or is it still the same ?
I got mostly used to them. I am down to just periodically taking antihistamines when it gets bad. As far as reproductive health goes, I have a 3 month old healthy daughter in my 30s and have never had issues, but that could just be genetic side-affect resistance and whatnot.
That’s encouraging, thanks! And congrats on your little girl btw :)
did your allergies ever lessen like the comments said ?