From the article: Allergic to Cats?
While some people successfully co-exist with their cats despite being allergic to them, others are unable to tolerate cat allergens. If you are one of the fortunate few, share your success stories with other allergic cat lovers. Do you take any special precautions? Are your cats forbidden to enter certain areas of your home? Your success stories may help other readers. Share Your Success Story
You can have pets while having allergies
- I have allergies to cats and dogs. I've been taking allergy shots for over 30 years. I wouldn't be without an animal. Right now I only have a female tuxedo cat, Oreo, who is 5 years old. She crawls up on the bed and sleeps in my arms under the covers. I brush her every day and occassionally wipe her down with a wet paper towel and then dry her. She wakes me in the morning by nuzzling me or licking my face. We rub each other's foreheads to leave scents on the other. My allergist used to say "if something happens to this animal, then don't get anymore". I told him that wasn't an option. He has since changed his mind, saying "we're allowing people to have pets now." I just keep getting my shots and each year my serum gets stronger. I'm an animal person. I was able to get away with having poodles but I couldn't tolerate any other kind of dog. If it were up to me they would not have to have animal shelters. I'd have them all.
- —buterflbarb
Soldiering On
- I have always been allergic to pet hairs, and I certainly never even considered having a cat. 14 years ago my husband came home with a very tiny feral kitten. The mother had been run over in the steel yard where he worked, so he brought her home with the idea of taking her to the RSPCA. Even though I was sneezing and coughing all the time, I could not bear to part with Smokie, our little girl. She's now 14 years old, and I have adopted 3 other cats. I still get the odd bout of sneezing, but somehow, after the first really bad month of symptoms it gradually eased. I have never taken any medication to help, maybe it was just sheer determination that I would not part with Smokie, no matter what. I guess I was very lucky, it was certainly one of the best decisions I ever made to soldier on and 'saggurate' myself with catfur. I would have missed out on so much if I hadn't.
- —Guest Lizzie G.
Allergic to Cats, but Happy
- I have always been allergic to animal fur. When I was a child my family always had outdoor dogs, and any further contact would start an allergic crisis. Two years ago, after living alone for 10 years, I found a stray baby cat on the street and brought him home. I'm still allergic, so I bathe him often and keep the house as clean as it can be. The trouble is nothing compared to how happy I am to have him wait for me at the door everyday when I come home, to watch him play for hours with a paper receipt or pet him on my lap while he doozes...
- —Guest Giana
Allergies and Cats
- I have been a groomer for over 10 years, I have had dogs and cats all my life. A few years ago I was told I was allergic to cats,dogs,ragweed,dustmites and pollen. What I did was purchase mattress and pillow covers protecting them from dust mites. I bought an air cleaner for my bedroom, of which I run every night and I run it during the day in the living room. I receive shots every other week and take Alegra D and Veramyst daily. I also do a nasal cleanse often. Currently I have four cats whose names are tiger, ghost, butters, and tonk. I was told to get rid of them. Ofcourse I refuse to do this. Yes they bother me at times, for awhile I was having migraines. I think I have it under control now and wish to encourage those who love their animals to try to do whatever it takes in order to live with allergies and pets. Do the research on products that may help you in quest to live a healty active lifestyle and one of which you can do while taking in all the love that your pets bring you.
- —Gizemo
