Allergies & Cats

You could be allergic to cats - your's or your roommate's. Here are some tips to determine if your cat is the cause and what you can do to alleviate them.

Thousands of cats become homeless each year when their owners give them up because of allergies. If you have allergies, the cause could be your cat; however, there are numerous things you can come in contact with that could very well be the source of your problem. Some of these allergy starters are: dust and molds, feathers, cigarette smoke, pesticides, cleaners, and more.

Don't give up on your cat right away!

Once you have determined that your cat is actually the cause, be willing to put some effort into solve the problem. Solving the problem depends on the severity and sensitivity of you and your allergies. It could be the dander from your cat's hair. You will need to start de-allergizing your home.

To de-allergize your home, get rid of allergens in the bedroom. To do this, do not allow your pets in your bedroom. Use air-conditioning and a humidifier in the correct seasons. Be sure to clean/change filters regularly.

You may also want to use an air purifier. This will clean the air of animal dander, dust, molds, fur, and other airborne irritants. However, an air purifier can be quite expensive. Planet Urine's UrineOut™ Powder also helps to reduce pet dander.

The more washable surfaces in your home, the better. (Wood or linoleum floors, furniture with simple lines, and Venetian blinds.) Be sure to keep these things wiped down often to reduce dust.

Special pillows are available that are non-allergenic. Other types of pillows you could use are Darcon or other types of synthetics. Do not use kapok, feather, or foam rubber. These can grow mold.

A plain clay cat litter or a litter made of natural material is usually less irritating to you than scented litter. Pour litter slowly to prevent huge litter dust clouds. If you can, have someone in the household without allergies do the vacuuming and cleaning of the litter box. If this is not an option for you, wear a mask that can be obtained from a local drug store.

Keep the yard free of dead leaves where mold can prosper. Live Christmas trees also shelter mold. Also, keep your cat from free roaming. He may bring home many irritants like pollen, plant juices, poison ivy, and more.

Often times, people build up a resistance to their own pets and find that their allergy problem will decrease as time passes. If you are willing to invest time and effort, you will not have to give up your pet due to allergy sufferers.