Can you live in a house with a cat if you are allergic?

Can you live in a house with a cat if you are allergic?

You can live with a cat if you are allergic, unless you have severe allergies. In fact, thousands of people with allergies do live with their feline friends. Some who only have mild symptoms just put up with the symptoms or treat them with over-the-counter medicine.

Can I be around cats if I’m allergic?

A lot will depend on the nature of your allergies. If yours are of the sneezing, watery eyes, and running nose variety, you may be able to slowly and gradually build up your tolerance to cats. However, before getting a cat, you should undergo allergy testing first, particularly if you suffer from asthma.

Are people who are allergic to cats allergic to hypoallergenic cats?

Nope, says Lyons. “If anything is closest to being hypoallergenic, it’s the Siberian, which is a big long fluffy haired breed,” she says. “People have noticed that specific Siberian cats do not elicit as much of an allergy response as other cats.”

Do cat allergies get worse with exposure?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent an allergy. Some studies have shown that exposure to pets as a young child seems to reduce the risk of developing pet allergies later. On the other hand, a child who already has allergic tendencies may get worse with exposure to a pet.

Is there a breed of cat that doesn’t cause allergies?

Siberian Cats Longhaired Siberian cats are known for being one of the most hypoallergenic cat breeds. It might surprise you that such a hirsute cat would be one of the safest for the allergy-prone, but Siberians produce one of the lowest levels of Fel D1 of any domestic cat breed.

How serious is a cat allergy?

Cat allergies can cause an acute asthma attack and can be a trigger for chronic asthma. Up to 30 percent of people with asthma can have a severe attack upon coming into contact with a cat. You should talk to your doctor about a treatment plan if your symptoms become disruptive or uncomfortable.

Can I build up a tolerance to cat allergies?

Cat allergies are caused by the proteins in a cat’s urine and saliva. These proteins are also found in cat dander, dry flakes of skin found in the fur. If you are allergic to cats and decide to get one, then you’ll be happy to learn most people tend to build up a tolerance to these allergens over time.

Some people are lucky enough that they eventually develop an immunity to cat allergies. While this is certainly possible, allergic reactions may also worsen with more exposure. It’s also possible that someone who has never suffered an allergy to cats before can develop one.

How can you stop being allergic to cats?

How to Decrease Cat Allergies

1. No more cats sleeping on the bed.
2. Keep them out of the bedroom altogether.
3. Wash all bedding in 140-degree hot water at least twice monthly.
4. Use HEPA air filters in rooms where your cats frequent.
5. Vacuum up cat allergen with a high-grade HEPA vacuum cleaner twice weekly.

Are there people who are allergic to cats?

Franny is an award-winning freelance writer who has been writing about cats since 1997. If you are a cat owner who loves your pet animal dearly but cannot invite important people in your life to come to your home or meet your beloved feline because of cat allergies, then you are not alone.

Which is the best cat breed for people with allergies?

Like the Cornish Rex, some people also recommend the Devon Rex as one of the best cat breeds for people with allergies. Its wavy coat doesn’t tend to shed much, which minimizes the spread of dander and other allergens in your home. These cats are outgoing and playful, and they prefer to be involved in what their humans are doing.

What happens when a cat has food allergies?

Cats with food allergies typically have itchy skin and may also develop recurrent skin or ear infections and have gastrointestinal signs like vomiting, diarrhea and/or increased gassiness. Cats can develop food allergies at any age and whether they have been eating the same food for years or have recently started eating something new.

What can a vet do for a cat with allergies?

Veterinarians can also prescribe fatty acid supplements, anti-histamines, hyposensitization therapy, immunosuppressive drugs and other treatments to help manage symptoms in cats with indoor allergies. Allergies to particular ingredients in food are another type of feline allergy.

Are there any indoor allergies that cats are allergic to?

Cats can also be allergic to indoor allergens like mold, dust, household mites, etc. Indoor allergies are indistinguishable from outdoor allergies, except that the licking, biting and scratching is often year-round rather than seasonal right from the start.

Can a person be allergic to a cat’s fur?

Most people who have cat allergies aren’t allergic to a cat’s fur but rather the proteins in its saliva, urine, and dander (skin flakes). Consistently cleaning the areas of your home where your cat spends a lot of time can help reduce some of these allergens.

Why are some cats less likely to trigger allergies?

Although no cat breed is scientifically hypoallergenic, anecdotal reports claim some breeds might be less likely to trigger allergies. This is potentially because of their coats or because they produce less of the Fel d 1 protein, a common allergen.

Like the Cornish Rex, some people also recommend the Devon Rex as one of the best cat breeds for people with allergies. Its wavy coat doesn’t tend to shed much, which minimizes the spread of dander and other allergens in your home. These cats are outgoing and playful, and they prefer to be involved in what their humans are doing.