Help Living With A Cat And A Cat Allergy

Has your doctor diagnosed you with an allergy to cats? Do you own cats? Do you consider them your babies? Can you not live without them? Just because you have an allergy to cats, it doesn't mean you necessarily have to give them away. There are some things you can do to help you and your beloved feline live together despite your cat allergy.

First, most people who say they are allergic to cats are really not allergic to cats at all but instead to their saliva. Because cats groom themselves regularly, their fur is covered with this dried saliva, or dander as it is called.

Since cats also shed regularly, their fur, which is coated in dander, is left where ever they may go in your home. It may settle in the carpet, on couches and drapes. Every time you clean this fur and dander is stirred up in the air, making your allergy symptoms worse.

If you find discover you have a cat allergy, the best idea is to keep your cat outside. If this is not possible because the animal is declawed, there are a few things you can do to make your life less miserable because of allergies.

First, you might want to limit your cat's roaming to only one or two rooms of your house. After petting or playing with your feline, wash your hands thoroughly, especially before touching your face or nose. Also, never allow the cats to sleep in your bed with you.

Next, there are several ways you can help reduce the amount of cat dander that stays in your home. You might think about replacing cloth curtains or drapes with plastic or wooden blinds.

It will also help if you remove the carpet from your house and replace it with linoleum, hardwood or tile floors. These changes mean you can clean your home better and get rid of more cat dander. While these actions may be costly, they are worth the effort for those who really love their cats.

If you can't replace your carpets because you rent your home or apartment, there are still several ways to clean more cat dander out of the existing carpet. First, there are new vacuums with extra powerful suction made specifically for removing pet hair from carpet, rugs and upholstery. Certain air filters and air cleaners can also help to cut down on the amount of dander floating in your air.

Another suggestion is to try is bathing your cat, or having him bathed, on a weekly basis. Although your cat won t like this idea that much, the weekly bath may help to cut down on some of the dander on the fur. Another option is to have your cat shaved.

While this may sound strange, many veterinarians' offices offer this service for less than $50. Cats with less hair will understandably have less dander. An added bonus is that they will also shed less and have fewer hairballs.

Finally, you might consult with your doctor to see if he can suggest an allergy medication that might with your cat allergy. He may suggest allergy shots, a prescription strength allergy medication or even an over-the-counter allergy treatment. You and your doctor can work together to find the best solution for your particular cat allergy.

For those who love cats, finding out that they have a cat allergy may be the worst news they can receive. While it may seem the only option is to give away their beloved pet, there are some things they can try in order to get allergy relief, but still keep their cat.

By: Joe Lloyd

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For more information on allergies try visiting www.theallergyeffect.com - a website that specializes in providing allergy related tips, advice and resources to including information on cat allergy.