Cat Allergies

First, Make Sure It's the Cat

Many people have avoided cats and/or have had to give up a beloved pet because they thought they were allergic to them, only to find out that the true culprit was household dust, mold or grass allergies.

Before you give up the family feline, have the allergy sufferer tested by a qualified physician. An ear, nose and throat specialist can run diagnostic tests that will reveal any and all items the test subject is allergic to, and there's always a chance that the family cat may not be the culprit. It's definitely worth the extra effort to find out.

If you don't want to incur the expense, try some simple elimination tests. Do you have allergy symptoms when staying in a hotel, or in a friend's pet-free home? If so, it's probably not your cat.

What Causes Cat Allergies?

So, why is anyone allergic to cats? Let take a look at the real cause.

The allergen at issue is a protein found in cat saliva. When cats groom themselves, the protein is distributed in their fur and dries to very fine flakes. The flakes become airborne any time your pet's fur is disturbed, whether during grooming, being petted or when rubbing against people and furniture.

The dander is breathed in and before you know it you are experiencing the watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy nose and scratchy throat that are the hallmark symptoms of cat allergies.

More serious symptoms can include skin rashes and constriction of the airways which require immediate medical attention. Severe allergies can also progress into asthma, so it stands to reason that any allergic reactions should be treated seriously and steps be taken to avoid/reduce exposure to the allergen

Mitigating Your Allergic Reaction

If your allergy symptoms range from mild to moderate, you may still be able to manage the situation and keep your cat.

Many vets recommend bathing your cat periodically (weekly or monthly) to decrease the amount of saliva in their coats. If this isn't practical, you can try using a commercial "cat wipe" to swab kitty clean of allergens.

In addition to frequent bathing, you might try reducing air-borne allergens by:

• Running a HEPA-filter air cleaner in the rooms you spend the most time in
• Vacuuming your carpet and furniture daily, again with HEPA-filtration in place
• Cleaning/replacing your furnace filter on a weekly basis
• Making your bedroom off-limits to your cat

Introducing a salt lamp to your home environment might also provide some relief from air-borne cat dander. When the salt is heated by the bulb, it releases negative ions which attach themselves to air pollutants and drop them down to ground level. From there you can remove them completely by vacuuming or mopping. Avoid sweeping with a broom because you'll only succeed in stirring dander into the air again.

About Cat Litter Allergies

Although it's not the same allergy as the one caused by cat saliva, some people are actually allergic to certain types of cat litter, specifically clay based litters that produce silica dust. Pine cat litter or similar non-dusty litters may be a viable alternative for allergy sufferers.

The Allergy that Isn't

Some people may claim to be allergic to cats even if they really aren't. Reasons why include:

1. They might believe they are truly allergic, but have mis-diagnosed themselves.
2. They may simply not like cats and use the allergy excuse because it sounds more socially acceptable than revealing their dislike.

If you know someone who says he or she is allergic to cats, take them seriously, but if a close friend, family member or romantic partner insists you get rid of your cat(s), make sure they are truly allergic by asking them to be tested. Once you have verifiable info in hand, you can make a decision whether or not to give up your pet.

Does Fur Color Affect Allergens?

The color of a cat's fur may possibly have something to do with how severe an allergic reaction it can produce.

A study released in 2000 by The American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology presented an interesting correlation between the color of a cat's fur and an allergy sufferer's level of irritation. Dark furred cats tended to produce a higher allergic response than light or white furred cats, as much as four times higher.

The study results are particularly interesting because hairless cat breeds still produce a reaction in people who suffer from cat allergies, just like their furry relatives. Furred or not, cat's lick themselves and leave behind that pesky protein in their dried saliva.

Conclusion

To date, there is no perfect solution for cat allergies. You can try to reduce the presence of allergens in the environment, or possibly abate the worst of your symptoms with doctor prescribed medication, but until science produces a genetically-engineered, non-allergic cat, allergy sufferers will have to carry on as best they can.