Have Allergies, Want Cats

Filed in archive Living with Allergies , Pet Allergies on August 6, 2007

Is it possible to have cats (or other pets) despite having allergies to pet dander? Rene Knapp, writing at Norwich Bulletin's Pet Talk, says it is indeed possible, and he's not talking of those so-called hypoallergenic cats either. It's just more tedious, and requires a bit of compromise and a lot more work. But if there's a will, there's a way, right? Here are some tips Rene offers:

First (and hardest for those who love their kitties), the bedroom should become cat-free. Giving the person with allergies a cat-free room and eight hours of being in that room greatly reduces the allergic reaction.

It can take up to 20 weeks for cat allergen in carpets to decrease enough to not cause an allergic reaction.

If possible, remove the carpet and use throw rugs that can easily be cleaned each week. If you cannot remove your carpet, get a spray that reduces or destroys allergens and vacuum with a high allergen-containment vacuum cleaner.

If you have an indoor cat, opening windows and using exhaust fans will decrease the airborne allergens.

Keep your walls cleaned, and your drapes and curtains should be washed often.

High-efficiency air cleaners (I have two of them in my house) do a good job of removing cat allergen from the air.

Washing your cats with a damp cloth will remove surface allergen. Using warm water with a washcloth designated for your cat only will not only relieve allergy symptoms, but your cat will like the massage. And it is a way for you to interact with your cat that will not affect your allergies too much.

Read Rene's column at Pet Talk for more encouragement and ideas.