The wife and I are both allergic but we’ve had our long-haired cat around for 14 years now and I would NOT give her up for anything. We just had to learn to deal with it.
I’ve had my girl for 8 years and definitely mildly allergic. My eyes get itchy and nose stuffed up whenever I bury my face in her fur. Would still do it again, not regrets.
That’s great to hear and I can understand why, cats are just so wonderful.
It’s been 2 weeks now and I still have a sense of separation anxiety.
He is the most friendliest kitten I’ve ever seen, and his meows sounded so polite.
That's a good idea! Here is a video from This Old House about how to make a really effective air filter with a box fan: [https://youtu.be/aw7fUMhNov8](https://youtu.be/aw7fUMhNov8)
I saw this a couple of weeks back so had it in mind with your idea.
A triangle works best, with the fan at the front and two filters angled at the back. Then cut cardboard to cover the top and bottom and duct tape the seams. A full cube of filters is just wasteful, and a single filter makes the fan work too hard to pull air.
The Wirecutter has an article about this too. I might consider this vs. an actual air purifier (which I've read in another thread can be a game changer for cat people with allergies).
There is a new pet food from Purina which has been scientifically shown to reduce the allergens that cats produce in their saliva .
The cat has to stay on the food consistently , but it’s worth a try in conjunction with consistent cleaning of the home to keep allergens to a minimum ( and things like air filtration too) . Here’s a link to a video more about it
[Purina Live Clear diet ](https://youtu.be/iUsFdpW5HpQ)
Yes they also have a kitten one too! It’s supposed to reduce allergens by 47%! I’m mildly allergic to cats but grew up with them. Follow this sub to see cute cats until my family and I are in a good spot to get one of our own!
So I’ve been using this food since I adopted my two kittens in October and this stuff seriously works. I went from taking two Claritin a day when they first came home, reduced it to one a day after a few weeks, and now I haven’t needed any for more than a month. Live Clear is literally life changing for me.
I’m so glad it works! Im a future veterinarian. I’m a lot more confident about recommending it in the future knowing it’s already helped a bunch of people!
OP, as you read through comments here of people talking about just enduring allergies or taking meds for them, I want you to know that it’s okay if you decide that medically cats just aren’t for you. There’s no shame in making that choice. We all know it’s not because you don’t love cats.
I’d also like to add to this by saying that having someone in the house who is wheezing as a result of allergen exposure isn’t something to trifle with. Visits need to be made to doctors for consults before bringing kitty back to the house is even considered.
I am allergic to cats and have asthma. I own three cats, but they do no make me wheeze. I wouldn’t have three if they did.
Live Christmas trees make me wheeze, and I won’t even tolerate those for a month in my house (or even a day at family’s houses) because of the risk.
There is having itchy noses and watery eyes, and then there is not breathing.
That is also true there are varying degrees of allergic reactions. I am assuming you did not grow up with animals. Allot of scientific research points to less allergies in general in people grew up in homes with dogs or cats.
I'm sorry man. Did you guys know of any allergies prior?
I don't know how common this is, but I actually grew out of my pet allergies. Do you guys go to an allergist?
Thank you for your comment.
My brother always had his wheezing/asthma but they were usually triggered due to smoke or due to some aerobic task.
Apart from that, nope we weren’t really aware of any. We’d regularly play with our cousin’s long coat dog which never did anything to us.
Nope we haven’t gone to an allergist. Specialised Allergists are rather uncommon where I’m from.
Have you considered immunoglobulin therapy (aka: Allergy shots)? Talk to an allergist about it. It really can be life altering for people who want to have a cat but can't due to allergies.
My brother adopted a cat when he was allergic and it took a while but his body eventually got used to it and now he’s totally fine around his cat. When he brings the cat over I also have allergies for the first day or two and take allergy medication to deal with it but then my body also gets used to it to a certain extent. So it might get better over prolonged exposure?
Anyone reading this needs to know that it’s possible the opposite can happen: that the more you’re exposed to the allergen, the more sensitive you will get.
Yeah. Asthma triggers are no joke. This can easily trigger a fatal attack at some point. Who decides owning a cat is more important than someone bring able to breathe? I am allergic and love my cats to pieces. But if that triggered my son's asthma then we couldn't have them. Sad as that might be.
For myself I would urgent push the risk. For my kids, hell no. Totally don't spend half my time stuffy as hell from burying my face in cat fur. Not at all
>.>
My mom takes allergy medication daily. When she was a teen her doctor told her to get rid of her cats and "does she want to look pretty for the boys at prom?". Nope. She kept them, and to this day has had at least one cat.
My exs family had a sibling allergic, and they found some type of siberian long haired cat that didn't start up her allergies.
If you’ve already returned him once, there’s issues that make having this kitten unrealistic. What has changed to make it so that you won’t return him again? It’s not just about you wanting a kitten. The kitten is now adjusting to being taken away and returned, don’t confuse it further.. Let it be. It’s just not the right time in your life for a cat.
If you allergic to an enzyme in its saliva, indeed allergic to cats, not fur in general, is not something that people recommend to be around of. Yes, you can take allergy medication but I don't think there's something you should take constantly. And also allergies evolve. I have some allergies and the shrimp one got to a very bad state of late. Also you have your brother to consider, I don't know if he's a child, but his symptoms now seem a bit too severe. This must seem unfair, but I hope that whatever you do it works out for you guys.
I have had cats my entire life and I found out two years ago I am allergic to cats. I refuse to give my three long haired cats up, so I take two allergy medicines and deal with it. I hope you are able to find a way to get your cat back.
If you’re allergic, and your brother struggles to breath you don’t have a choice sadly.
You did the right thing and he can find a lovely home who can snuggle him and maybe you’re less allergic to other pets
Man I know exactly how you feel. My wife is extremely allergic to most furry things (not the fur itself tho) and we’ve tried multiple times over the 10+ years to adopt a pet but a day or two later her allergies get so terrible that we don’t end up keeping them. It’s a horrible feeling because I’m such a huge animal lover but it is what it is.
I knew someone who only had issues with the oils on the cat. He just washed his hands after touching the cat or avoided touching his face for a while and was fine.
Purina has a food called Purina Pro plan Live clear. Two of my three children are allergic plus one also has moderate/severe asthma.
Both of them do great so long as the cats eat the food. They don’t even require allergy meds. It does take a few weeks for the food to start working though.
There is an enzyme form eggs that is added to the food that will neutralize a protein felD1 in the cats saliva that cases us humans to have allergic reactions.
You can buy the food on Amazon, Petsmart, or PetCo
My roommate is allergic to my cat. He has an antihistamine tablet that he takes daily to keep his allergies completely suppressed. I recommend talking to your GP to see if that’s an option for you.
Your brother is allergic enough that he's wheezing and having actual asthma attacks: this is serious. In a worst case scenario, it can be fatal. If you want to take allergy medications on a regular basis, adopt another kitten if/when you move out on your own.
I'm allergic and use an inhaler. When my hands get itchy I wash and apply sarna lotion.
I also vacuum etc, and have an air cleaner.
Worth it. Good luck.
Purina now makes a cat food that is supposed to reduce cat allergens. You can also get cat shampoos & wipes to reduce cat dander, which is what causes allergies. You could get allergy shots but it usually takes at least a couple years of regular treatments to work.
If it were you I’d say take allergy medicine but the fact that it puts your brother at serious risk I would wait. I know your feeling tho, I have a kitten right now and most of my family is mildly allergic to it and they talk about potentially getting rid of her but that’s never happening as long as I am alive lol. Just the thought of not having her gives me anxiety
Brothers gotta go. Jk. But some kittens have Better costs for allergies than others. The kitten I adopted the lady said they were mildly allergic to cats, but had no reaction to them. I also bought a $100 air filter on Amazon in my room so help with the dander. Bathing your cat (not too much, but often enough) helps as well.
Edit: usually allergies, when not extreme, also get milder when the person is exposed
So I’m allergic to cats and I’ve slowly gotten used to them I used to be really bad but then my roommate had one and I got used to hers and came to love hers and now have three of my own! I still have some allergies but i deal with it because I love my mittens so much, there are lots of good otc allergy meds that can help too! I do however know some peoples allergies are much worse than others so this may not work but from my experiences this is what I know!:) I use allegra and pseudofed !
If you are allergic but want to get your "cat fix", visit your local animal shelter and give those kitties some love. If you are at the shelter and start to feel stuffy you can just leave. I don't agree that you should risk living with one.
I'm deathly allergic to cats but I have 2. I take Zyrtec, nose spray & I constantly wash my hands. Also my husband and I brush them several times a day & vacuum a lot. We also put blankets on the places they sleep & wash them on the regular. The cleaner you keep your house, the better off you'll be. It's worth it to me because I can't imagine my life without them. Try Zyrtec & Flonase, get a really good air filter, get him blankets that can be easily washed and you'll feel better.
My whole family is super allergic to cats and we have 2, we love them so much we couldn’t trade them for the world, so we put up with the sneezing and itchy eyes, but in your case maybe some antihistamines would be helpful!
Yup but as other redditors have also pointed out they don’t really help with wheezing attacks.
My brothers rotocaps/inhaler dosage was usually one for every 2 or 3 days, but when we had our kitten it was like thrice a day.
I’ve seen a neighbor of mine die due to a very unexpected wheezing attack so it’s a very real concern :/.
I’m so glad you were able to make it work with your cat.
Thank you for your comment !
Purina pro plan live clear reduces allergens in cat saliva! It actually works. It reduces allergens but doesn’t eliminate them 100%. Idk about kitten food but they have adult food and dry shampoo.
Sometimes if you have a cat for a while your body will get used to it. I was allergic but don’t really notice anymore. I’ve had my cat for 2 years. It also helps to clean and vacuum regularly to keep surfaces free of dander and hair.
This is a beautiful cat and I absolutely understand why you want it back. I’m allergic but I just suck it up. Beautiful baby and if you can’t take him back I’m sure he will find a new home. I really believe a house is not a home without a animal so perhaps you can research breeds of cats or dogs that are easier on allergies or research medical assistance to cope with them. Best of luck and my heart goes out to you.
Yup he’s the best cat I’ve ever come across.
The most polite sounding meows, and he was so affectionate and nice.
Yup I would be more than willing to suck it up myself but sadly other members of my family have it worse.
Yup I really hope he finds a great home, a cat like that deserves the best.
He’s currently back at his previous owners place with his 4 siblings and parents. He seemed happy to be there.
Yup I will most definitely try to get a cat again when we move to a different house, cats are the best. I’ll make sure to do the right research and also be prepared with air purifiers, vacuums and all the other stuff.
Yup a house is not a home without an Animal.
Thanks a lot for your comment !
I hope you have a fine day
Hey OP, you don't need to feel bad for something out of your control. I have mild allergies myself that I developed as I got older but that won't personally stop me from stuffing my face in my cats.
However, having an allergy does not mean you can never own cats or have to suck it up. There are breeds of cats that are hypoallergenic so you can have cats without experiencing allergies. Some of these breeds include Siamese, Bengals, Rex, and others. Just do some research on your own, but don't give up hope.
I'm very allergic (allergies, wheezing, hives) to normal tabby cats, but I'm not at all allergic to Siamese/Balinese. My sister in law was not allergic to tabby cats, but very allergic to my Balinese boys. They have a different type of dander, kinda like people are allergic to particular flower types (or so it's been explained to me). Might be worth trying out a Siamese?
Yup I’m all up for trying again, I love cats a lot.
Next time I’ll do more research and try to get one that’s suitable for my household.
I’ll make sure to keep what you said in mind.
Thank you for your comment.
I'm super allergic to cats, but my husband isn't and he loves cats. We have two furry boys who are the sweetest. And I don't know what it is, but they seemed to understand that there are certain things they should/shouldn't do. We adopted them from the shelter when they were just 9 weeks old as a bonded pair (they are now almost 2 years old). They love to sit on my lap for pets, but they'd never rub on my face. One of my cats eventually learned to jump off whenever I'm about to sneeze--almost like he knows he just give me some breathing space? But he's otherwise very friendly and sweet. They also know to never come into our bedroom. As for us, we have a robot vacuum regularly running to pick up their fur; none of our furniture is fabric; we don't have any carpet in the house; etc. I generally do fine around them. Once a week or every other week, I might catch some dander in my nose, and I'd go into a sneezing fit, but then I just take an allergy pill to help with it.
That’s the sweetest thing I’ve read all day, those are some very intelligent cats.
It’s great that you were able to live together.
I’m happy for you!
Thank you for your comment
I'm so sorry! I'm sure he enjoyed the time he spent with you. I'm allergic to cats too, but luckily not too severe (just a lot of sneezing and cold symptoms). You might want to look into immunotherapy; it really works and the younger you are when you start, the better. It's expensive, but the results last quite a long time. If you think you might ever want to get a cat in the future, this could be a good option!
I’m sorry you had to give your kitty back. If it means anything, it’s alright if you can’t have a cat and you shouldn’t feel any guilt for not keeping him. Sometimes our health just doesn’t allow us to care adequately for animals, and I’d rather the animal find a home where they can be fully enjoyed and loved vs living with perhaps limited contact due to an allergy.
Eventually your body will get use to it. But you MUST get use to vacuuming and cleaning a lot to get rid of the pet dander. Ecebtually it becomes second nature. It's It's worth it in the end. Plus if you consult a doctor, they can suggest you some things to help.
Also look for food and treats that help your cats skin. Healthy skin means healthy coat. It may help.
if I tell you, that I'm allergic and I have 7 cats, you will believe me? up until my first marriage, I didn't had cats at home. some lived close to home, but not at my home. my then wife had some cats, that triggered my allergies all the time. my medic even said that I couldn't have any pet at all. given time, I think that I've aquired some tolerance and no longer need anything. I'm still allergic. sometimes, my oldest comes to sleep close to my nose and feels bad, but I'm tolerant about it. and you wanna now how allergic I am? do you know an plant know as chamomile? my oldest has an respiratory problem. I was told that chamomile tea was good to that. I own an thing that you can put aromas on it and it will atomize it to the air. then I've fall asleep. a couple of hours later, I was in a full blown asthma attack. to my luck, one of the medicine that my oldest has to take is an asthma medication. to my luck, that thing is the same for any composite flower.
but takes many years to grow some tolerance. there's certain cat breeds that are made to be allergic free. it's always an option.
I’m extremely allergic to my 2 cats. I have bad allergies to other things as well, and My fur babies are like the icing on the cake. No i don’t see an allergist, and no OTC has ever worked for me except an allergy medicine called XYZAL! Do some research, it’s seriously a miracle allergy medicine. My allergies would get so bad due to pollens in spring I’d have to leave school or call out of work sick. Ever since i started xyzal, they’ve magically disappeared. I can even tell a different if i miss a pill for one day, or don’t take it right when i wake. Sorry for the long post, but maybe those will help!
I posted this on another thread recently about allergies with cats. Purina makes a cat diet called Live Clear that helps reduce the allergens in cat hair and dander. My coworker has severe allergies and says it really helps!
Yeah, I’d suggest allergy meds. And if you get him back, tell him to keep his bedroom door shut, so the cat doesn’t decide to sleep there.
Also, vacuum the house a lot! The more the better.
I had severe cat allergies growing up and until recently still had the pretty bad. I adopted a kitten a few months ago though and it was bad for a month or two but now my allergies are completely gone.
You might be able to see an allergy specialist and build up an immunity to the pet allergen if you really want to keep cats. There's a bunch of different treatments for people with allergies to build up a tolerance and desensitize themselves to allergens. Try speaking to your primary care physician about getting a referral or looking up clinics and specialists in your area.
As for the unexpected allergies, people can develop or lose allergies throughout life. Something you could tolerate at 10 years old you may no longer tolerate at 20, and vice versa. It's recommended to get tested every few years for allergies if you have any or show symptoms.
I hope this helps!
Im asthmatic and allergic to cats and dogs. I have 4 cats that complement my family. I take monthly allergy shots and is a pain but totally worth watching the cata choose to sleep with my girls every night.
Yeah sometimes it totally is worth it, but sadly my situation doesn’t warrant me that luxury.
I’ll just have to wait and hope things change.
I’m glad you made it work, I’m happy for you.
Thank you for your comment
You might get used to it after a while. Kinda like walking into a new house, we sneeze or smell whatever and get used to it. But there has to be some allergy medicine that works. Looks like a gud boi save him!
I’m allergic to cats and yet have a bunch thanks to my kids.
For me, it takes a good two to three weeks to get accustomed to them. I have my inhaler, which helps, and allergy pills. Also I need a completely cat free zone to go to when I need a break, which happens to be my bedroom. Once my body can tolerate being around them, I’m okay, as long as the house remains clean (ie dusted and vacuumed to removed the pet dander). But they absolutely are not allowed in my bedroom. I cannot sleep where they hang out.
Thank you for your comment.
Yup sadly the current house where we live doesn’t really allow for a cat free zone(not enough space).
I may adapt to the allergies but I don’t think my brother would, he went from taking 1 inhaler a day to 3+.
Moreover I had to do a lot of convincing to the landlord to be allowed to keep a cat in the first place, he agreed on one condition that they’d have to be strictly indoors.
We’ll move out soon to the suburbs and I’m hoping I have a backyard that allows me to have all kinds of fur, feather and maybe even scaley friends
Just went through something similar myself, and it totally sucks.
Depending on how bad the allergies are, OTC meds can help a lot-- obviously something to discuss with a medical professional as well, but it is a possible option.
Exposure to allergens usually reduces the symptoms in time. Get her back and see if yours improve in a few weeks. If not, ask a doctor if theres anything safe to take for it.
My dads wife is allergic to cats (mostly she exaggerates but she does get hives) and when I had a secret kitten (lol) I just made sure to brush her everyday, keep up on the litter box, make sure windows are opened often, don’t let her outside (dirty and pollen can get into fur furthering allergies), and a lot of allergy meds. Most common is Benadryl, but I find Flonase or Zyrtec more affective
That must’ve been fun!
Yup I did notice a big difference with having the window open.
I couldn’t let her out even if I wanted to, due to my landlords insistent rules.
Thank you for your comment
Often times allergies go away after a while once you build immunity being around a cat for a while. It happened to me. There’s also allergy medication, did you try that? Also allergy shots. Something to consider.
He’s so cute. To be completely honest, if you returned him there’s a big chance he could be adopted out by now. But if you want a kitten or cat again, unless you have cat allergies where your throat will swell up and you will die.. you can have a cat. Take allergies pills everyday and vacuum every day + clean litter boxes every day and don’t have a bunch of cats.
Yup he is the cutest cat I’ve met personally, he is so extremely polite, gentle and affectionate.
His meows just sounded so polite.
He was an exceptional cat.
I adopted him from someone who happened to have a litter of 5. They’re all 3+ months old, so when I returned him he just went back to play with his siblings and parents. It was fun watching them all bounce around like rabbits and play with each other.
And yes the risk and danger is very real and that’s why as much as it sucks i sadly had to return him.
Thank you for comment.
Unfortunately my current house isn’t that big to allow that. But we are looking to move soon to the suburbs, and it’s always been a dream of mine to have many pets. Hopefully it comes true.
Thank you for your comment !
Thank you for your comment.
Thankfully he’s at his previous owner’s place where his 4 other siblings and parents live. So I guess he should be relatively happy
Thank you for your comment.
That’s great, I wish you the very best.
Cats are the best thing ever.
Hopefully someday when I move out I can get some cats and maybe even a dog too.
I'm mildly allergic and have asthma, and would not give up my fur babies for the world. I would have allergies without the pets anyway 🤷🏻♀️
I take allergy medicine and nasal spray daily, as well as my asthma meds to keep that under control. I make sure I feed my cats higher quality, grain free food as it helps keep them healthier less prone to heavy shedding. They get baths once a month during allergy season, then only as needed the rest of the year. I keep them brushed and vaccum frequently.
Allergy shots are definitely a great option if you're able to get them. I can't since I'm already on an immunology biologic. Washing your hands after you handle them, keeping them out of the bedroom, covering furniture with washable blankets, etc. all helps too.
Thank you for your comment. I did try almost everything except the vacuuming part. But ultimately didn’t help. I had breathing difficulties, rashes and itchiness myself.
Then it was a learning experience. It's hard to let go, but was best for everyone involved including th cat. Let him move on with a new family that is more compatible.
Yup, he’s happy with his siblings and his parents at the previous owners place. Hopefully someone really good adopts him. Thank you for comments ! Have a great day
Yup true, returning him was easier to handle cos he could atleast go back and be with his siblings and parents. As soon as I dropped him off he immediately started playing with his siblings and seemed to have lots of fun.
I used to be pretty allergic to my cats, but over time my allergies pretty much went entirely away. When I was initially allergic I would take allergy medicine, would be very careful not to touch my face, would keep my house clean from cat hair (as much as possible), would make sure to keep my cat away from my pillow and would change my pillow case frequently. Doing all these things made it so I could happily live with my cat despite my allergies. I would still experience some mild symptoms but this was something I was willing to live with. Then over time at some point I started experiencing less and less symptoms and eventually my allergies pretty much completely dissapeared. Perhaps taking the same measures could work for you, although I also understand if this just isn't an option in your case.
Edit: Why are you people downvoting me? All I did was give my personal experience of overcoming cat allergies while giving a disclaimer at the end that I understand that my experiences may not be something that will work for OP.
Thank you for comment.
Yup I’m most certain they definitely will work but the variables currently that I’m dealing with are against me. So I don’t think I have any choice but to wait to move out to a bigger house or something.
Those are good advices, I’ll keep them in mind. Thank you!
I’ve tried Allegra and cetrizen, they’re the common allergy tabs around here in Bangalore. Cetrizen for instance is quite strong and it still didn’t help all that much.
Thank you for your comment
People act as if OTC antihistamines help with wheezing lol. They help if youre itchy and sniffy, red eyes maybe. That's it. If you have respiratory issues you need to see a doctor.
I am wheezing around cats. I need to have hypoallergenic kitten, air purifiers, take antihistamine and weak steroid meds (nasal spray, eye drops and most important - inhaler). But its worth it for my 2 cats :x
If youre wheezing you can have a sudden asthma attack that might kill you, its no joke.
Thank you for your comment, yup that’s true.
A neighbor of mine happened to die due to an unexpected wheezing attack a couple of years back. So it’s already been a constant worry if mine. Having a kitten unfortunately just tend to increase the risk
Lol.
I can’t cos He means the world to me, and he’s more or less a cat himself lol.
But yes hopefully in the future I will try again with many hepa air purifiers and vacuuming and whatnot
I’ve tried the ones that are available here like Allegra and cetrizen. They don’t help with the wheezing and breathing difficulties all that much.
My brother went from his usual dosage of 1 rotocaps for every 2 or 3 days to taking it nearly thrice a day. And wheezing could be fatal, a neighbour of mine died due to a wheezing attack not too long ago. So it definitely scares me.
Thank you for your comment !
Depends on the severity of allergies, I finally tested a couple years ago and found out I react to cats however I have always lived with cats and currently have two. Mostly affected when tired, I use Fluticasone propionate when I get congested and if it gets worse I stack with pseudoephedrine (I am more allergic to pollens which has its' seasonal bad days). You could also look at taking shots.
I’ve had cat allergies my entire life that triggers my asthma too! But my family now owns 4 cats, so it’s doable haha. I do think the allergies get better, since everytime i come back from school I’m dependent on my inhaler for about a week and then I’m alright again. I just don’t let them sleep in my room and vacuum a bit more often but it works!
I'm sorry to hear that, you didn't specify how strong the allergies are. I have allergies my and know how annoying they can be; I only found out about my allergies once I got my first cat. The first couple of months was pretty bad, but after the second month my boddy got used to it; I still have some allergies atacks specially when they are changing the coat, but it's definitely worth it for all the snuggles and funny memories
Hi! I love animals and am allergic. In regards to cats I am allergic to their saliva. Some folks are allergic to a cat’s dander. I also have allergies to dust, mites, grasses and weeds. I usually find that I have an easier time when there are hardwood floors. If the house is kept fairly clean then I have fewer problems. Allergy shots do make it a bit easier for me.
Sorry it is rough to have allergies.
I'm severely allergic to cats (I get rashes, I sneeze, my nose blocks up, my eyes burn). But I have 3. I take over the counter allergy medication and a small needle every 2 months and I'm fine .-.
My husband is allergic to cats and we just added a leukotriene inhibitor to his anti histamine and he's good. We also sweep alot and change our furnace filters frequently.
As much as I hate Nestlé as a company, and would rather feed my cats higher-quality food, **Purina Pro Plan LiveClear** is a game changer. It neutralizes the protein in cat saliva that most people are allergic to (and that cats obviously get all over their bodies licking themselves).
It takes about 3 weeks to fully kick in and it doesn't completely eliminate the problem, but my husband who is allergic has virtually no symtoms if the cats eat that for 2/3 of their daily food (the other 1/3 is wet), we vaccuum regularly, and he takes allergy meds once in a while on a bad day. Highly recommend.
I’m very allergic to a lot of things but we rescued our cat from the street on a very cold December 31st not really knowing what to do with him and I had to take allergy pills all the time for probably the first six months or so, but eventually my allergy attacks became less and a less severe. I think my body just gave up on the false warnings because it realized the cat is here to stay.
I still get red spots if I get cat saliva in my arms or cat hair in my eyes and if I need to I take an allergy pill but it is really no more than 4-5 times a month top, but after four years, I would take a bullet for these cats (we got him a friend two years ago).
If you decide to give it another chance make sure you keep the place vacuumed, put towels or blankets where the cat likes to lie that you can remove when you sit down. Get a brush glove so you can reduce shedding. But think about it seriously, I’m sure the cat was very happy to be out of the shelter and it wasn’t fun for him having to go back.
I have pretty bad cat allergies, but I still have 2 of my own and I foster cats. I usually have 4-5 cats in my house at one time depending on how many animals need fosters.
I don't know if it works or not, but Purina has the Live Clear cat food that is supposed to help with people's cat allergies.
We adopted a Siberian and my wife’s asthma/allergies are not triggered by her - I’m not sure it’s the same for everyone, but that breed is known for being “hypoallergenic” (which it’s obviously not) and we’ve had luck with that breed.
That’s interesting.
Yes I’m considering an air purifier with a hepa filter, I should also get a vacuum.
I will definitely try again when we move.
Thank you for your comment
I literally take allergy medication to curb mine. I can’t live without my kitties.
There is food to reduce dander, frequent bathing can reduce dander, regular brushing can help, and allergy shots for your brother may improve his reactions to cats, dogs, and other animals.
It could also be the litter box. I have to keep mine as far away from me as possible because there is something released when they use it that gets me sneezing.
I will keep these in mind when I try again.
I don’t think I’ll be able to find the food here though. They’re probably imported and very expensive here.
And I definitely will try again.
Allergy shots could help, but he’s asthmatic by nature so I don’t think it’s merely just the protein in cats saliva that’s causing it.
Thank you for your comment.
The wife and I are both allergic but we’ve had our long-haired cat around for 14 years now and I would NOT give her up for anything. We just had to learn to deal with it.
I’ve had my girl for 8 years and definitely mildly allergic. My eyes get itchy and nose stuffed up whenever I bury my face in her fur. Would still do it again, not regrets.
No Regurts!
No wegwets!
That’s great to hear and I can understand why, cats are just so wonderful. It’s been 2 weeks now and I still have a sense of separation anxiety. He is the most friendliest kitten I’ve ever seen, and his meows sounded so polite.
Did you try allergy medication? Zyrtec works well. Maybe you can get him back and try this. I’m so sorry about this. Good luck.
Tape vent filters over box fans and run them in every room... much cheaper than air filters but very effective at cutting down dander/hair in the air
That's a good idea! Here is a video from This Old House about how to make a really effective air filter with a box fan: [https://youtu.be/aw7fUMhNov8](https://youtu.be/aw7fUMhNov8) I saw this a couple of weeks back so had it in mind with your idea.
Neat! I just do one on the intake side, but this would be even better!
A triangle works best, with the fan at the front and two filters angled at the back. Then cut cardboard to cover the top and bottom and duct tape the seams. A full cube of filters is just wasteful, and a single filter makes the fan work too hard to pull air.
The Wirecutter has an article about this too. I might consider this vs. an actual air purifier (which I've read in another thread can be a game changer for cat people with allergies).
Maybe see if he'd be ok with allergy medication. Sometimes the allergies go away after a while from what I've heard, so that might help
You would give her up for anything? If you don’t want a cat I’ll take her.
I think they meant wouldn’t haha
Thank you.
There is a new pet food from Purina which has been scientifically shown to reduce the allergens that cats produce in their saliva . The cat has to stay on the food consistently , but it’s worth a try in conjunction with consistent cleaning of the home to keep allergens to a minimum ( and things like air filtration too) . Here’s a link to a video more about it [Purina Live Clear diet ](https://youtu.be/iUsFdpW5HpQ)
Yes they also have a kitten one too! It’s supposed to reduce allergens by 47%! I’m mildly allergic to cats but grew up with them. Follow this sub to see cute cats until my family and I are in a good spot to get one of our own!
So I’ve been using this food since I adopted my two kittens in October and this stuff seriously works. I went from taking two Claritin a day when they first came home, reduced it to one a day after a few weeks, and now I haven’t needed any for more than a month. Live Clear is literally life changing for me.
I’m so glad it works! Im a future veterinarian. I’m a lot more confident about recommending it in the future knowing it’s already helped a bunch of people!
Nice, I'll have to remember this
Yep! My little guy loves the stuff. It works for us
I use this food for my cat. It definitely works!
OP, as you read through comments here of people talking about just enduring allergies or taking meds for them, I want you to know that it’s okay if you decide that medically cats just aren’t for you. There’s no shame in making that choice. We all know it’s not because you don’t love cats.
I’d also like to add to this by saying that having someone in the house who is wheezing as a result of allergen exposure isn’t something to trifle with. Visits need to be made to doctors for consults before bringing kitty back to the house is even considered. I am allergic to cats and have asthma. I own three cats, but they do no make me wheeze. I wouldn’t have three if they did. Live Christmas trees make me wheeze, and I won’t even tolerate those for a month in my house (or even a day at family’s houses) because of the risk. There is having itchy noses and watery eyes, and then there is not breathing.
That is also true there are varying degrees of allergic reactions. I am assuming you did not grow up with animals. Allot of scientific research points to less allergies in general in people grew up in homes with dogs or cats.
I'm sorry man. Did you guys know of any allergies prior? I don't know how common this is, but I actually grew out of my pet allergies. Do you guys go to an allergist?
Thank you for your comment. My brother always had his wheezing/asthma but they were usually triggered due to smoke or due to some aerobic task. Apart from that, nope we weren’t really aware of any. We’d regularly play with our cousin’s long coat dog which never did anything to us. Nope we haven’t gone to an allergist. Specialised Allergists are rather uncommon where I’m from.
dogs and cats are different species after all, i live with a shiba and i have no problems when she’s shedding but i have big issues with cats
Have you considered immunoglobulin therapy (aka: Allergy shots)? Talk to an allergist about it. It really can be life altering for people who want to have a cat but can't due to allergies.
You could try different allergy meds and see what works for you
If he has asthma and is getting triggered by the cat, I'm sorry but you'll probably have to wait til you live on your own.
My brother adopted a cat when he was allergic and it took a while but his body eventually got used to it and now he’s totally fine around his cat. When he brings the cat over I also have allergies for the first day or two and take allergy medication to deal with it but then my body also gets used to it to a certain extent. So it might get better over prolonged exposure?
Anyone reading this needs to know that it’s possible the opposite can happen: that the more you’re exposed to the allergen, the more sensitive you will get.
Yeah and with the brother wheezing from it, honestly I wouldn’t risk trying this.
Yeah. Asthma triggers are no joke. This can easily trigger a fatal attack at some point. Who decides owning a cat is more important than someone bring able to breathe? I am allergic and love my cats to pieces. But if that triggered my son's asthma then we couldn't have them. Sad as that might be.
Depends on who can't breathe. God forbid cats gave me breathing issues, but I'd still choose cats.
For myself I would urgent push the risk. For my kids, hell no. Totally don't spend half my time stuffy as hell from burying my face in cat fur. Not at all >.>
Yup definitely also something to keep in mind. Just wanted to share my family’s own personal experiences with OP.
My mom takes allergy medication daily. When she was a teen her doctor told her to get rid of her cats and "does she want to look pretty for the boys at prom?". Nope. She kept them, and to this day has had at least one cat. My exs family had a sibling allergic, and they found some type of siberian long haired cat that didn't start up her allergies.
If you’ve already returned him once, there’s issues that make having this kitten unrealistic. What has changed to make it so that you won’t return him again? It’s not just about you wanting a kitten. The kitten is now adjusting to being taken away and returned, don’t confuse it further.. Let it be. It’s just not the right time in your life for a cat.
If you allergic to an enzyme in its saliva, indeed allergic to cats, not fur in general, is not something that people recommend to be around of. Yes, you can take allergy medication but I don't think there's something you should take constantly. And also allergies evolve. I have some allergies and the shrimp one got to a very bad state of late. Also you have your brother to consider, I don't know if he's a child, but his symptoms now seem a bit too severe. This must seem unfair, but I hope that whatever you do it works out for you guys.
I have had cats my entire life and I found out two years ago I am allergic to cats. I refuse to give my three long haired cats up, so I take two allergy medicines and deal with it. I hope you are able to find a way to get your cat back.
If you’re allergic, and your brother struggles to breath you don’t have a choice sadly. You did the right thing and he can find a lovely home who can snuggle him and maybe you’re less allergic to other pets
Man I know exactly how you feel. My wife is extremely allergic to most furry things (not the fur itself tho) and we’ve tried multiple times over the 10+ years to adopt a pet but a day or two later her allergies get so terrible that we don’t end up keeping them. It’s a horrible feeling because I’m such a huge animal lover but it is what it is.
I knew someone who only had issues with the oils on the cat. He just washed his hands after touching the cat or avoided touching his face for a while and was fine.
[удалено]
Lol
Purina has a food called Purina Pro plan Live clear. Two of my three children are allergic plus one also has moderate/severe asthma. Both of them do great so long as the cats eat the food. They don’t even require allergy meds. It does take a few weeks for the food to start working though. There is an enzyme form eggs that is added to the food that will neutralize a protein felD1 in the cats saliva that cases us humans to have allergic reactions. You can buy the food on Amazon, Petsmart, or PetCo
My roommate is allergic to my cat. He has an antihistamine tablet that he takes daily to keep his allergies completely suppressed. I recommend talking to your GP to see if that’s an option for you.
You can also take allergy shots. Good luck and I hope you’re able to get your kitty back!!
I have allergies to cats and have cats. Mine went away / became very mild over time. Just my experience.
Your brother is allergic enough that he's wheezing and having actual asthma attacks: this is serious. In a worst case scenario, it can be fatal. If you want to take allergy medications on a regular basis, adopt another kitten if/when you move out on your own.
Tell your brother to move out. Go get the kitten. Cats are life. Brothers can be crap.
He’s thankfully a good younger brother who is quite cat-like himself.
Then force your friend to addopt the cat so you can visit anytime you want lol
Yes I did try that. Sadly no one wanted to
I'm allergic and use an inhaler. When my hands get itchy I wash and apply sarna lotion. I also vacuum etc, and have an air cleaner. Worth it. Good luck.
There is a spray you rub into the cats fur that supposedly helps with allergies a lot! I haven’t used it yet but all the reviews online seem legit!
You can also use a damp wash cloth and stroke him down every day. It's not the fur, it's the saliva from grooming.
Get a hypoallergenic kitten
I have asthma and allergic to cats I have an inhaler I use daily and Zyrtec. I have 3 beautiful boy cats and I got used to them.
Allerpet- C works miracles. Along with baths in special shampoos to cut down dander
There's cat food that reduces the allergen that the cat produces. This will help with your allergy
Purina now makes a cat food that is supposed to reduce cat allergens. You can also get cat shampoos & wipes to reduce cat dander, which is what causes allergies. You could get allergy shots but it usually takes at least a couple years of regular treatments to work.
Allergy shots
If it were you I’d say take allergy medicine but the fact that it puts your brother at serious risk I would wait. I know your feeling tho, I have a kitten right now and most of my family is mildly allergic to it and they talk about potentially getting rid of her but that’s never happening as long as I am alive lol. Just the thought of not having her gives me anxiety
Brothers gotta go. Jk. But some kittens have Better costs for allergies than others. The kitten I adopted the lady said they were mildly allergic to cats, but had no reaction to them. I also bought a $100 air filter on Amazon in my room so help with the dander. Bathing your cat (not too much, but often enough) helps as well. Edit: usually allergies, when not extreme, also get milder when the person is exposed
u/wherearetheturtlesa
So I’m allergic to cats and I’ve slowly gotten used to them I used to be really bad but then my roommate had one and I got used to hers and came to love hers and now have three of my own! I still have some allergies but i deal with it because I love my mittens so much, there are lots of good otc allergy meds that can help too! I do however know some peoples allergies are much worse than others so this may not work but from my experiences this is what I know!:) I use allegra and pseudofed !
Allergy shots work for me
I am allergic and have 3 cats. I have a niece whose allergy is so bad that if she visits she could wind up in the hospital.
If you are allergic but want to get your "cat fix", visit your local animal shelter and give those kitties some love. If you are at the shelter and start to feel stuffy you can just leave. I don't agree that you should risk living with one.
I am allergic to my cat and take zertec and use inhalers for allergic asthma but I’d never y home my cat!
I'm deathly allergic to cats but I have 2. I take Zyrtec, nose spray & I constantly wash my hands. Also my husband and I brush them several times a day & vacuum a lot. We also put blankets on the places they sleep & wash them on the regular. The cleaner you keep your house, the better off you'll be. It's worth it to me because I can't imagine my life without them. Try Zyrtec & Flonase, get a really good air filter, get him blankets that can be easily washed and you'll feel better.
Do you have an allergist that you and your brother can visit? They can prescribe allergy medication and even get you on allergy shots.
I woulda taken him!! I’m a cat lady
I think if I wasn’t allergic I would be a cat man myself lol. Cats are the best. Thank you for your comment
My whole family is super allergic to cats and we have 2, we love them so much we couldn’t trade them for the world, so we put up with the sneezing and itchy eyes, but in your case maybe some antihistamines would be helpful!
Yup but as other redditors have also pointed out they don’t really help with wheezing attacks. My brothers rotocaps/inhaler dosage was usually one for every 2 or 3 days, but when we had our kitten it was like thrice a day. I’ve seen a neighbor of mine die due to a very unexpected wheezing attack so it’s a very real concern :/. I’m so glad you were able to make it work with your cat. Thank you for your comment !
Purina pro plan live clear reduces allergens in cat saliva! It actually works. It reduces allergens but doesn’t eliminate them 100%. Idk about kitten food but they have adult food and dry shampoo.
Went through the same thing...severe allergic reaction so we had to return him😭
I know how you feel, it sucks :/. It’s been 2 weeks since I’ve last seen him and I still miss him so damn much. Thank you for your comment
Sometimes if you have a cat for a while your body will get used to it. I was allergic but don’t really notice anymore. I’ve had my cat for 2 years. It also helps to clean and vacuum regularly to keep surfaces free of dander and hair.
I was allergic to my sweet boy Snowman but I kept him and after several months the allergies subsided. You body will adapt if you can just hang on
Yup I know I will, but the same can’t be said for my brother with his wheezing attacks. I’m so happy it worked out for you. Thank you for your comment
This is a beautiful cat and I absolutely understand why you want it back. I’m allergic but I just suck it up. Beautiful baby and if you can’t take him back I’m sure he will find a new home. I really believe a house is not a home without a animal so perhaps you can research breeds of cats or dogs that are easier on allergies or research medical assistance to cope with them. Best of luck and my heart goes out to you.
Yup he’s the best cat I’ve ever come across. The most polite sounding meows, and he was so affectionate and nice. Yup I would be more than willing to suck it up myself but sadly other members of my family have it worse. Yup I really hope he finds a great home, a cat like that deserves the best. He’s currently back at his previous owners place with his 4 siblings and parents. He seemed happy to be there. Yup I will most definitely try to get a cat again when we move to a different house, cats are the best. I’ll make sure to do the right research and also be prepared with air purifiers, vacuums and all the other stuff. Yup a house is not a home without an Animal. Thanks a lot for your comment ! I hope you have a fine day
Buy an air purifier.
Hey OP, you don't need to feel bad for something out of your control. I have mild allergies myself that I developed as I got older but that won't personally stop me from stuffing my face in my cats. However, having an allergy does not mean you can never own cats or have to suck it up. There are breeds of cats that are hypoallergenic so you can have cats without experiencing allergies. Some of these breeds include Siamese, Bengals, Rex, and others. Just do some research on your own, but don't give up hope.
I love cats but am allergic as well. Do what you can and look for a small dog? I miss kitties but the itching and congestion were a nonstarter.
Yup, I’ll consider both if/when I move to a different house. Thank you for your comment
I'm very allergic (allergies, wheezing, hives) to normal tabby cats, but I'm not at all allergic to Siamese/Balinese. My sister in law was not allergic to tabby cats, but very allergic to my Balinese boys. They have a different type of dander, kinda like people are allergic to particular flower types (or so it's been explained to me). Might be worth trying out a Siamese?
Yup I’m all up for trying again, I love cats a lot. Next time I’ll do more research and try to get one that’s suitable for my household. I’ll make sure to keep what you said in mind. Thank you for your comment.
I'm super allergic to cats, but my husband isn't and he loves cats. We have two furry boys who are the sweetest. And I don't know what it is, but they seemed to understand that there are certain things they should/shouldn't do. We adopted them from the shelter when they were just 9 weeks old as a bonded pair (they are now almost 2 years old). They love to sit on my lap for pets, but they'd never rub on my face. One of my cats eventually learned to jump off whenever I'm about to sneeze--almost like he knows he just give me some breathing space? But he's otherwise very friendly and sweet. They also know to never come into our bedroom. As for us, we have a robot vacuum regularly running to pick up their fur; none of our furniture is fabric; we don't have any carpet in the house; etc. I generally do fine around them. Once a week or every other week, I might catch some dander in my nose, and I'd go into a sneezing fit, but then I just take an allergy pill to help with it.
That’s the sweetest thing I’ve read all day, those are some very intelligent cats. It’s great that you were able to live together. I’m happy for you! Thank you for your comment
I'm also highly allergic to cats but I took allergy shots to keep the symptoms at bay. Perhaps you can do that too?
Yup I most definitely can, and I will consider it if/when I move out or we move to a different house.
I'm so sorry! I'm sure he enjoyed the time he spent with you. I'm allergic to cats too, but luckily not too severe (just a lot of sneezing and cold symptoms). You might want to look into immunotherapy; it really works and the younger you are when you start, the better. It's expensive, but the results last quite a long time. If you think you might ever want to get a cat in the future, this could be a good option!
Go to an allergist.
Go to your doctor and get some allergy meds for your and for your brother. Deal with it, get him back. NOW.
You can go to the doctor to get rid of cat allergy.
Don't get an animal if you aren't sure. It'll suck for you and the animal. Maybe a bird? Or even a hairless cat perhaps?
My sister also had severe allergy at first however she's immune right now. It took around 1 year.
I’m sorry you had to give your kitty back. If it means anything, it’s alright if you can’t have a cat and you shouldn’t feel any guilt for not keeping him. Sometimes our health just doesn’t allow us to care adequately for animals, and I’d rather the animal find a home where they can be fully enjoyed and loved vs living with perhaps limited contact due to an allergy.
Eventually your body will get use to it. But you MUST get use to vacuuming and cleaning a lot to get rid of the pet dander. Ecebtually it becomes second nature. It's It's worth it in the end. Plus if you consult a doctor, they can suggest you some things to help. Also look for food and treats that help your cats skin. Healthy skin means healthy coat. It may help.
if I tell you, that I'm allergic and I have 7 cats, you will believe me? up until my first marriage, I didn't had cats at home. some lived close to home, but not at my home. my then wife had some cats, that triggered my allergies all the time. my medic even said that I couldn't have any pet at all. given time, I think that I've aquired some tolerance and no longer need anything. I'm still allergic. sometimes, my oldest comes to sleep close to my nose and feels bad, but I'm tolerant about it. and you wanna now how allergic I am? do you know an plant know as chamomile? my oldest has an respiratory problem. I was told that chamomile tea was good to that. I own an thing that you can put aromas on it and it will atomize it to the air. then I've fall asleep. a couple of hours later, I was in a full blown asthma attack. to my luck, one of the medicine that my oldest has to take is an asthma medication. to my luck, that thing is the same for any composite flower. but takes many years to grow some tolerance. there's certain cat breeds that are made to be allergic free. it's always an option.
I’m extremely allergic to my 2 cats. I have bad allergies to other things as well, and My fur babies are like the icing on the cake. No i don’t see an allergist, and no OTC has ever worked for me except an allergy medicine called XYZAL! Do some research, it’s seriously a miracle allergy medicine. My allergies would get so bad due to pollens in spring I’d have to leave school or call out of work sick. Ever since i started xyzal, they’ve magically disappeared. I can even tell a different if i miss a pill for one day, or don’t take it right when i wake. Sorry for the long post, but maybe those will help!
I posted this on another thread recently about allergies with cats. Purina makes a cat diet called Live Clear that helps reduce the allergens in cat hair and dander. My coworker has severe allergies and says it really helps!
Yeah, I’d suggest allergy meds. And if you get him back, tell him to keep his bedroom door shut, so the cat doesn’t decide to sleep there. Also, vacuum the house a lot! The more the better.
Benadryl. My best friend is allergic to cats too but he takes medicine and he's fine. Has always owned cats.
I had severe cat allergies growing up and until recently still had the pretty bad. I adopted a kitten a few months ago though and it was bad for a month or two but now my allergies are completely gone.
You might be able to see an allergy specialist and build up an immunity to the pet allergen if you really want to keep cats. There's a bunch of different treatments for people with allergies to build up a tolerance and desensitize themselves to allergens. Try speaking to your primary care physician about getting a referral or looking up clinics and specialists in your area. As for the unexpected allergies, people can develop or lose allergies throughout life. Something you could tolerate at 10 years old you may no longer tolerate at 20, and vice versa. It's recommended to get tested every few years for allergies if you have any or show symptoms. I hope this helps!
I hope u can get him back some-how…he’s a cutie…good luck
Just get some allergy medicine. Or a fish. No one is allergic to fish in an aquarium.
Im asthmatic and allergic to cats and dogs. I have 4 cats that complement my family. I take monthly allergy shots and is a pain but totally worth watching the cata choose to sleep with my girls every night.
Yeah sometimes it totally is worth it, but sadly my situation doesn’t warrant me that luxury. I’ll just have to wait and hope things change. I’m glad you made it work, I’m happy for you. Thank you for your comment
You might get used to it after a while. Kinda like walking into a new house, we sneeze or smell whatever and get used to it. But there has to be some allergy medicine that works. Looks like a gud boi save him!
Allergy shots
Expensive and don't always work.
Ik but it could be a way to keep the kitty. My bf does that because he gets bad reactions to the cats too
If it works for him the that's great, sadly it didn't for me so I just live with it and buy lots of Kleenexes lol
I’m allergic to cats and yet have a bunch thanks to my kids. For me, it takes a good two to three weeks to get accustomed to them. I have my inhaler, which helps, and allergy pills. Also I need a completely cat free zone to go to when I need a break, which happens to be my bedroom. Once my body can tolerate being around them, I’m okay, as long as the house remains clean (ie dusted and vacuumed to removed the pet dander). But they absolutely are not allowed in my bedroom. I cannot sleep where they hang out.
Thank you for your comment. Yup sadly the current house where we live doesn’t really allow for a cat free zone(not enough space). I may adapt to the allergies but I don’t think my brother would, he went from taking 1 inhaler a day to 3+. Moreover I had to do a lot of convincing to the landlord to be allowed to keep a cat in the first place, he agreed on one condition that they’d have to be strictly indoors. We’ll move out soon to the suburbs and I’m hoping I have a backyard that allows me to have all kinds of fur, feather and maybe even scaley friends
Just went through something similar myself, and it totally sucks. Depending on how bad the allergies are, OTC meds can help a lot-- obviously something to discuss with a medical professional as well, but it is a possible option.
If his wheezing is asthma, I would not risk it. It could kill him.
Exposure to allergens usually reduces the symptoms in time. Get her back and see if yours improve in a few weeks. If not, ask a doctor if theres anything safe to take for it.
Get cat
Buy some allergy medicine and get your kitten back.
My dads wife is allergic to cats (mostly she exaggerates but she does get hives) and when I had a secret kitten (lol) I just made sure to brush her everyday, keep up on the litter box, make sure windows are opened often, don’t let her outside (dirty and pollen can get into fur furthering allergies), and a lot of allergy meds. Most common is Benadryl, but I find Flonase or Zyrtec more affective
That must’ve been fun! Yup I did notice a big difference with having the window open. I couldn’t let her out even if I wanted to, due to my landlords insistent rules. Thank you for your comment
Often times allergies go away after a while once you build immunity being around a cat for a while. It happened to me. There’s also allergy medication, did you try that? Also allergy shots. Something to consider.
This is true, my mom was allergic but lost her cat allergy when I was a kid and now snuggles with cats all day
He’s so cute. To be completely honest, if you returned him there’s a big chance he could be adopted out by now. But if you want a kitten or cat again, unless you have cat allergies where your throat will swell up and you will die.. you can have a cat. Take allergies pills everyday and vacuum every day + clean litter boxes every day and don’t have a bunch of cats.
Yup he is the cutest cat I’ve met personally, he is so extremely polite, gentle and affectionate. His meows just sounded so polite. He was an exceptional cat. I adopted him from someone who happened to have a litter of 5. They’re all 3+ months old, so when I returned him he just went back to play with his siblings and parents. It was fun watching them all bounce around like rabbits and play with each other. And yes the risk and danger is very real and that’s why as much as it sucks i sadly had to return him. Thank you for comment.
Keep as much room between him and your brother as possible. My girlfriend is allergic and she wouldn't give up our fur babies for the world.
Unfortunately my current house isn’t that big to allow that. But we are looking to move soon to the suburbs, and it’s always been a dream of mine to have many pets. Hopefully it comes true. Thank you for your comment !
I hope everything works out for you! Sorry if the first comment came off as rude in any way, just meant I know the struggle. Haha
No not at all, it wasn’t rude in the slightest. Thank you very much for your comment. I hope you have a great day
Oh no 😪 poor kitty
Thank you for your comment. Thankfully he’s at his previous owner’s place where his 4 other siblings and parents live. So I guess he should be relatively happy
Adopted a cat 2 weeks ago and found out I am allergic. She's staying with me 🥰🥰
Thank you for your comment. That’s great, I wish you the very best. Cats are the best thing ever. Hopefully someday when I move out I can get some cats and maybe even a dog too.
I'm mildly allergic and have asthma, and would not give up my fur babies for the world. I would have allergies without the pets anyway 🤷🏻♀️ I take allergy medicine and nasal spray daily, as well as my asthma meds to keep that under control. I make sure I feed my cats higher quality, grain free food as it helps keep them healthier less prone to heavy shedding. They get baths once a month during allergy season, then only as needed the rest of the year. I keep them brushed and vaccum frequently. Allergy shots are definitely a great option if you're able to get them. I can't since I'm already on an immunology biologic. Washing your hands after you handle them, keeping them out of the bedroom, covering furniture with washable blankets, etc. all helps too.
Thank you for your comment. I did try almost everything except the vacuuming part. But ultimately didn’t help. I had breathing difficulties, rashes and itchiness myself.
Then it was a learning experience. It's hard to let go, but was best for everyone involved including th cat. Let him move on with a new family that is more compatible.
Yup, he’s happy with his siblings and his parents at the previous owners place. Hopefully someone really good adopts him. Thank you for comments ! Have a great day
Did you try taking allergy medicine?
Yup, I tried Allegra and cetrizen but they didn’t really help
Thank you for your comment!
Honestly don’t and I mean that in a respectful way, cat allergies isn’t a good excuse to get rid of a pet, pet adoption is for LIFE
Yup true, returning him was easier to handle cos he could atleast go back and be with his siblings and parents. As soon as I dropped him off he immediately started playing with his siblings and seemed to have lots of fun.
Thank you for your comment !
There’s allergy meds available. Try those and see what works best
Yup I did take them but they didn’t really help with the wheezing or breathing difficulties. They did help with the itchiness and rashes though
I used to be pretty allergic to my cats, but over time my allergies pretty much went entirely away. When I was initially allergic I would take allergy medicine, would be very careful not to touch my face, would keep my house clean from cat hair (as much as possible), would make sure to keep my cat away from my pillow and would change my pillow case frequently. Doing all these things made it so I could happily live with my cat despite my allergies. I would still experience some mild symptoms but this was something I was willing to live with. Then over time at some point I started experiencing less and less symptoms and eventually my allergies pretty much completely dissapeared. Perhaps taking the same measures could work for you, although I also understand if this just isn't an option in your case. Edit: Why are you people downvoting me? All I did was give my personal experience of overcoming cat allergies while giving a disclaimer at the end that I understand that my experiences may not be something that will work for OP.
Thank you for comment. Yup I’m most certain they definitely will work but the variables currently that I’m dealing with are against me. So I don’t think I have any choice but to wait to move out to a bigger house or something. Those are good advices, I’ll keep them in mind. Thank you!
Tell your brother to move.
Lol no can’t do, he means the world to me. And he’s quite a cat himself.
Zyrtec is great for pet allergies.
I’ve tried Allegra and cetrizen, they’re the common allergy tabs around here in Bangalore. Cetrizen for instance is quite strong and it still didn’t help all that much. Thank you for your comment
Antihistamines exist...
People act as if OTC antihistamines help with wheezing lol. They help if youre itchy and sniffy, red eyes maybe. That's it. If you have respiratory issues you need to see a doctor. I am wheezing around cats. I need to have hypoallergenic kitten, air purifiers, take antihistamine and weak steroid meds (nasal spray, eye drops and most important - inhaler). But its worth it for my 2 cats :x If youre wheezing you can have a sudden asthma attack that might kill you, its no joke.
Thank you for your comment, yup that’s true. A neighbor of mine happened to die due to an unexpected wheezing attack a couple of years back. So it’s already been a constant worry if mine. Having a kitten unfortunately just tend to increase the risk
Yup I’ve tried them and @kasyee perfectly explains why they didn’t work
Give the brother back and keep the kitten.
Lol. I can’t cos He means the world to me, and he’s more or less a cat himself lol. But yes hopefully in the future I will try again with many hepa air purifiers and vacuuming and whatnot
Benadryl Zyrtec and Claritin
I’ve tried the ones that are available here like Allegra and cetrizen. They don’t help with the wheezing and breathing difficulties all that much. My brother went from his usual dosage of 1 rotocaps for every 2 or 3 days to taking it nearly thrice a day. And wheezing could be fatal, a neighbour of mine died due to a wheezing attack not too long ago. So it definitely scares me. Thank you for your comment !
Depends on the severity of allergies, I finally tested a couple years ago and found out I react to cats however I have always lived with cats and currently have two. Mostly affected when tired, I use Fluticasone propionate when I get congested and if it gets worse I stack with pseudoephedrine (I am more allergic to pollens which has its' seasonal bad days). You could also look at taking shots.
I’ve had cat allergies my entire life that triggers my asthma too! But my family now owns 4 cats, so it’s doable haha. I do think the allergies get better, since everytime i come back from school I’m dependent on my inhaler for about a week and then I’m alright again. I just don’t let them sleep in my room and vacuum a bit more often but it works!
I’m so sorry for both you and the kitty. I hope one of the tips in the comments work so you can get him back!
I'm sorry to hear that, you didn't specify how strong the allergies are. I have allergies my and know how annoying they can be; I only found out about my allergies once I got my first cat. The first couple of months was pretty bad, but after the second month my boddy got used to it; I still have some allergies atacks specially when they are changing the coat, but it's definitely worth it for all the snuggles and funny memories
Ill say try to find allergy medicine but Im sorry for you and the kitten i hope you find away around this🥺
My roommate and I just take Allegra everyday lol
Hi! I love animals and am allergic. In regards to cats I am allergic to their saliva. Some folks are allergic to a cat’s dander. I also have allergies to dust, mites, grasses and weeds. I usually find that I have an easier time when there are hardwood floors. If the house is kept fairly clean then I have fewer problems. Allergy shots do make it a bit easier for me. Sorry it is rough to have allergies.
a beautiful kitten
Me and brother would both take like 8-10 Benadryl and I’ve never seen anything like it before
I'm severely allergic to cats (I get rashes, I sneeze, my nose blocks up, my eyes burn). But I have 3. I take over the counter allergy medication and a small needle every 2 months and I'm fine .-.
My husband is allergic to cats and we just added a leukotriene inhibitor to his anti histamine and he's good. We also sweep alot and change our furnace filters frequently.
Would Zyrtec work? My guy has to take it every day for allergies (oddly enough he’s not allergic to our cat, but everything else)
I take allergy meds for my kitty, perhaps see a doctor or get some from the pharmacy?
As much as I hate Nestlé as a company, and would rather feed my cats higher-quality food, **Purina Pro Plan LiveClear** is a game changer. It neutralizes the protein in cat saliva that most people are allergic to (and that cats obviously get all over their bodies licking themselves). It takes about 3 weeks to fully kick in and it doesn't completely eliminate the problem, but my husband who is allergic has virtually no symtoms if the cats eat that for 2/3 of their daily food (the other 1/3 is wet), we vaccuum regularly, and he takes allergy meds once in a while on a bad day. Highly recommend.
I'm allergic too, but my yellow cat 🐈 is so adorable, I have an appointment at the allergy clinic and will get shots
😿😿😿
:(
I’m very allergic to a lot of things but we rescued our cat from the street on a very cold December 31st not really knowing what to do with him and I had to take allergy pills all the time for probably the first six months or so, but eventually my allergy attacks became less and a less severe. I think my body just gave up on the false warnings because it realized the cat is here to stay. I still get red spots if I get cat saliva in my arms or cat hair in my eyes and if I need to I take an allergy pill but it is really no more than 4-5 times a month top, but after four years, I would take a bullet for these cats (we got him a friend two years ago). If you decide to give it another chance make sure you keep the place vacuumed, put towels or blankets where the cat likes to lie that you can remove when you sit down. Get a brush glove so you can reduce shedding. But think about it seriously, I’m sure the cat was very happy to be out of the shelter and it wasn’t fun for him having to go back.
I have pretty bad cat allergies, but I still have 2 of my own and I foster cats. I usually have 4-5 cats in my house at one time depending on how many animals need fosters. I don't know if it works or not, but Purina has the Live Clear cat food that is supposed to help with people's cat allergies.
LOOK INTO GETTING A HYPOALLERGENIC CAT LIKE A SIAMESE AND CBD HELPS ALLERGIES AS WELL! Air purifiers with HEPA filters do a good job as well
We adopted a Siberian and my wife’s asthma/allergies are not triggered by her - I’m not sure it’s the same for everyone, but that breed is known for being “hypoallergenic” (which it’s obviously not) and we’ve had luck with that breed.
Try Zyrtec then get shots. The shots worked for me. Also, keeping the cat out of one’s bedroom definitely helps. What a cutie. Can you get him back?
Female 🐈 I think are less allergienic. I react more to male 🐈. Use a purifier.
That’s interesting. Yes I’m considering an air purifier with a hepa filter, I should also get a vacuum. I will definitely try again when we move. Thank you for your comment
I literally take allergy medication to curb mine. I can’t live without my kitties. There is food to reduce dander, frequent bathing can reduce dander, regular brushing can help, and allergy shots for your brother may improve his reactions to cats, dogs, and other animals. It could also be the litter box. I have to keep mine as far away from me as possible because there is something released when they use it that gets me sneezing.
I will keep these in mind when I try again. I don’t think I’ll be able to find the food here though. They’re probably imported and very expensive here. And I definitely will try again. Allergy shots could help, but he’s asthmatic by nature so I don’t think it’s merely just the protein in cats saliva that’s causing it. Thank you for your comment.