Uh-oh… Look what the cat dragged in: allergies! That cute kitty is causing you to cough, sneeze and your eyes to stream. Yep, all tell-tale signs of an allergy to cats. Or it could be your kids that are feline rough (sorry, couldn’t help it). Studies indicate that children are more allergic to cats than dogs, even though the cause is similar. In general, cat allergies are twice as likely as a dog allergy.
The science behind cat allergies
Ready for the techy bit? Your cat allergies are all down to a tiny, not cuddly, protein allergen called Fel d 1. It’s found in your cat’s saliva, wee, poo, fur and in pussy’s skin cells and has a habit of floating in air, sticking to everything around your home - think clothes, carpets, rugs and furniture. It then makes a beeline (catline?) for us, absorbing through our skin pores.
Cat allergies are just as unpredictable as our furry friends too. They can become milder over time, but a more serious cat allergy can lead to something much more serious like asthma.
Nine cool cat tips for how to deal with cat allergies
Now, obviously the best course of action is to not have a cat. But we’re not suggesting you ditch your beloved Tigger, Smokey, Ginger or Stan. So here’s some other ways you can manage your cat allergies.
- Limit your exposure. Even the smallest amount of contact can trigger your allergy, so get another family member to feed them or empty the litter tray.
- Neuter your male cat. This will dramatically decrease the levels of harmful allergens. Even for females, spaying lowers Fel d 1 levels.
- Get an organic indoor allergen neutraliser. Many sources online are enthusiastic about herbal cat allergy sprays, which can reduce cat allergens and last for weeks.
- Change their litter regularly. Your cat poo and wee are the enemy! Change their tray every other day – or better still, get someone else to do it for you.
- Try a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter vacuum cleaner. Evidence suggests that the best ones can remove the vast majority of all dust, hair and skin cells – as much as 99%!
- Use a HEPA air purifier daily. Studies show that they can significantly reduce the amount of cat allergens in the air.
- Chat to your GP. Cat allergies can be treated with standard allergy products like antihistamines and decongestants . But it’s best to see your doctor first for a professional opinion.
- Create some no-go zones. Create some places around your home where your beloved mog is banned. A good shout would be the bedroom.
- Wash your hands regularly. This helps you avoid the transfer of cat allergens from your hands to your face, which can cause flare-ups.
Check out our Allergy Comfort™ range, which can help you tell your allergy symptoms to get stuffed. Our super-gentle tissues and wipes are so absorbent they’ll easily tackle snot, tears and wipe away allergens. Totally hypoallergenic with no added nothing, we’ve also made them suitable for use around your eyes, too.
