You may want a cat but are concerned about any allergies you or someone in your family may have. Perhaps you already have a cat and have found your allergy is a problem. The good news is that people with allergies and cats can live together!
Allergies to cats are caused by a reaction to certain proteins found in oils secreted from their skin and saliva.
Don't rely on immunity
Some people report developing an immunity to their cat i.e. they ' grow out' of the allergy. While this is certainly true for some, don't depend on it if you're getting a new cat. It is possible that an allergic reaction will get worse with more exposure.
If you are getting a new cat and have concerns about allergies, consider a short-haired breed over a long-haired as they release less hair into your home environment. If you are interested in a purebred, consider a Devon or Cornish Rex. These cats lack some of the layers of hair found on other breeds and so may produce less reaction. The Sphinx breed is entirely hairless and extremely affectionate. Bear in mind that all cats groom themselves and an allergic reaction is caused by saliva just as much as by hair.
Once you have a cat, fastidiousness is the key to dealing with allergies. Wipe down smooth surfaces in the home regularly and vacuum frequently. Also, regularly wash any bedding your cat sleeps on.
Tasty Tips
Restrict access
You may want to restrict your cat's access to certain areas of the house. The allergic person's bedroom is a definite cat no-go zone. Rooms with hardwood floors will retain less allergens and be easier to clean than carpet. If you have only a few rooms in your house with carpet you probably should keep your cat out of those.
Upholstered furniture will retain a lot of allergens so you may choose to keep cats off of them or out of the rooms that contain them.
The more you brush your cat, the more helpful it will be in reducing allergic reactions because it helps prevent loose hair from getting into the air. At least once a week is good, more often is better still.
Be particularly careful to groom in the springtime when your cat will be shedding their winter coat. Whenever possible, grooming should be carried out by someone who isn't allergic to cats and ideally outdoors.
Cleaning the litter regularly will also help because the proteins that cause a reaction in saliva, hair and dander are found in urine as well.
Talk to your doctor about what anti-allergic drugs you can take to make life easier and other possible ways to manage the problem.
Related products
Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Wet Cat Food with Turkey is a complete pet food for adult cats, aged 1–6 years. This highly digestible wet food comes in a pouch and supports healthy digestion, as well as nourishes skin and promotes a thick and lustrous coat.
Perfect Digestion Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Perfect Digestion Cat Food with Chicken & Brown Rice nourishes your cat's unique microbiome and helps them reach their full potential.
Sterilised Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Adult Sterilised Cat Dry Food with Salmon is specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology. It is a precisely balanced nutrition, tailored to meet the needs of sterilised cats, to help keep them lean & healthy.
Hairball & Perfect Coat Adult Dry Cat Food with Chicken
Hill's Science Plan Hairball & Perfect Coat Adult Cat Food with Chicken is formulated to effectively help avoid hairball formation in adult cats while promoting a beautiful coat. Thanks to its mix of essential omega-6 fatty acids, this food benefits the cat's skin and fur, keeping them healthy and shiny. Our Advanced Fibre Technology helps reduce hairballs by naturally promoting their passage through the gut. This food is formulated with high-quality protein for a perfectly balanced, great-tasting recipe.
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Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.