Cat Allergies- How To Live With Your Cat

Do you have a much loved pet cat, and have discovered that either you or a family member has cat allergies? Do you dread the very idea of giving away your beloved cat, even though you find yourself coughing and sneezing every time she comes near you? Well, you may not need to. Here are some tips to enable you to keep your feline companion, even if you have a cat allergy.

So, what causes cat allergies? Cats constantly shed tiny particles of skin, known as ‘dander’. When she washes herself, her saliva sticks to the loose fur and dander, which is then released into the atmosphere. When these airborne particles are breathed in by someone with an allergy, they will suffer a reaction to them; the symptoms will typically be sneezing, breathlessness, coughing, excessive eye watering or itching. The airborne particles are tiny, and cannot be seen by the naked eye. They will embed into clothing, furniture and floor furnishings.

Here are some tips you may like to try in order to reduce the impact your cat may have on your allergies;

Keep the cat out of your bedroom- yes, no more sleeping on the bed! If possible, restrict her access to certain rooms. Keep at least one room and your bedroom a cat free zone.

If you must have her in your room, ensure that you wash your bedding on a hot wash at least once a fortnight.

Vacuum thoroughly at least twice weekly. Use a vacuum with a filter, and use attachments to clean furnishings and furniture.

Avoid excessive handling of your cat, and always wash your hands after fussing or playing with her. Do not nuzzle her, or let her come into contact with your nose, mouth or eyes.

Groom her daily with a soft brush, or get someone else to do this. Ideally, do this outside so that the dander particles are not released in the house. Some people find that wiping her with a soft, damp cloth each day also helps to keep dander down. She may find this easier to tolerate than bathing.

If you can, let somebody else change the litter box, and make sure it is not situated in your main living or sleeping areas.

Purchase an air purifier or two, and distribute them around your home. Ideally these should be HEPA air filters. They work by reducing the amount of allergens in the air, so could also benefit those with other allergies such as hay fever.

Following these tips should ensure that you and your feline friend can enjoy many happy years together