Do you get sneezy around cats?

Sneezing, itchy red eyes and wheezing are all symptoms, which many attribute to being allergic to cats. But of course these symptoms can also be triggered by allergic reactions to other very common allergens in the atmosphere like dust mites, pollen or air born chemicals. It is important that we investigate all possible causes of the reaction before we point the finger at our feline friends. Doctors are able to carry out a sensitivity test, which will accurately determine what allergens your body reacts to and to what degree. Some allergy suffers are quite happy to continue owning a cat if there particular symptoms are not too severe and can be managed without too much difficulty.

First we must understand what an allergy really is and what are the causes that trigger the adverse reactions. An allergen is the name given to the substance that causes our allergic reactions. Allergens are tiny particles in the air which when we breath can cause the body to over react and produce too much histamine to combat the allergen. It’s this over production of histamine, which causes the runny noses etc that we see in allergy sufferers.

It has long been believed that the cat’s fur is the actual cause of the allergic reaction, but in fact it is a protein that is contained in the cat’s saliva. Now as we know cats are constantly grooming them selves and it is during this process that the saliva is transferred to the fur. Once the salvia has dried it becomes a dust like substance on the fur and it is this that gets into the air and onto furnishing which then causes the problem for some people.

Unfortunately this does rather dispel the theory that cats with no fur like the sphinx cat will not cause an allergic reaction. Even Sphinx cats groom themselves and so deposit the protein on to their skin. However, it is true to say that cats with longer fur will require far more grooming and so deposit more of the allergen into the environment. So a cat with short fur would be a more suitable pet for an allergy sufferer, than a long coated breed like the Maine Coon.

There are certain steps that can be carried out to reduce the symptoms of an allergy especially if you want to continue to own a cat. For mild sufferers they may find that over time there symptoms reduce naturally as they become desensitised to their own cats allergen, however this their symptoms will return once they come into contact with other cats. In cases like this most shop bought anti histamine tablets are enough to subdue any adverse reactions.

Regular cleaning of the house is important, as well as regular grooming of the cat. Here are a few steps that can be taken that will help to reduce the allergens in the home.

Regular cleaning of carpets is a must, as allergens can remain in them for some time. However always wear a mask when vacuuming and the room should be left unoccupied for a while afterwards to allow any remaining allergens to settle. It may be worth investing in a vacuum cleaner that is especially designed with allergy suffers in mind.

Keep some rooms a cat free zone, especially bedrooms. It has been shown that cat allergens can remain in mattresses for many years.

Wipe walls down on a regular basis to remove particles. This is often over looked but can be a harbinger of the allergens.

Keep rooms well ventilated and if possible use an air filter.

Regularly brush the cat’s fur outside of the house; again always wear a mask and wash hands afterwards.

A damp cloth can be used to rub over your cats fur to prevent allergens from becoming air born after grooming.

Bath your cat once a month to remove any excess saliva particles on the fur.

For some allergy suffers the symptoms can be so severe that owning a cat would be impossible even if all of the above steps were carried out regularly. In these cases as sad as it may be, it is kinder to ask your local animal shelter to find a new home for your cat rather than taking them to the vets to be put to sleep. After all it is not the fault of the cat that some of us suffer allergic reactions to their saliva, and if they are healthy animals they deserve a second chance with new owners.