Living with cat allergies

Cat allergy is common. It is a reaction to proteins that cats make, mainly one found in saliva and skin, and not to the hair itself. No cat breed is free of allergen, so a short-haired or hairless cat is not a guaranteed fix. People with cat allergy can sometimes live with a cat by reducing exposure at home and working with a doctor. Anyone with wheezing or breathing trouble needs medical advice first.

What causes cat allergy

The main cat allergen is a protein known as Fel d 1. Cats produce it in their skin glands, saliva and other tissues. When a cat grooms, the saliva dries on its fur and skin, then flakes off as tiny particles that float in the air and stick to walls, sofas, clothes and bedding. People breathe them in or touch them and then rub their eyes.

Common signs of cat allergy include sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy red eyes, an itchy throat, a skin rash where a cat has licked or scratched, and coughing. In some people it brings on wheezing, chest tightness or asthma symptoms. A doctor can test for allergy and tell it apart from a cold or other causes.

Allergen levels vary between individual cats. Intact males tend to produce more than neutered males and females, though the variation among individual cats is large, and a cat's level can change over time. This is a fact about averages and does not mean one cat will suit you. Some people are allergic to one cat and fine with another. Some people react to every cat.

Why no breed is allergen free

You will see claims for "hypoallergenic" cats. No breed is hypoallergenic, and the claim has little scientific support. Every cat produces Fel d 1, including hairless breeds such as the Sphynx, because the allergen comes from skin and saliva and not only from hair. Some breeds, such as the Siberian, are often described as lower in allergen, and a few small studies suggest some individuals produce less, but a breed label does not predict how any one person will react. A hairless cat can still trigger symptoms. Cats with a dense undercoat may hold more allergen in the coat, but this varies as well.

If you are shopping for a cat because of allergies, spend time with the actual cat first. Visit several times, hold the cat if it allows, and watch how you feel over the next day or two. A reputable breeder or shelter will usually allow this.

What to do, step by step

1. See a doctor. An allergy test or review confirms what you are reacting to. Ask about treatment options, including medicines and desensitisation, and ask for an asthma plan if you have one. Treatment decisions are medical.
2. Meet the cat before you commit. Spend a few visits with the cat you plan to adopt. Time alone with one cat in a small room gives you a fair test.
3. Set up a cat-free bedroom. Keep the cat out of the room where you sleep, and keep the door shut. Eight hours a night in a low-allergen space helps many people.
4. Clean regularly. Vacuum often, ideally with a machine that has a fine filter. Hard floors and washable rugs hold less allergen than carpet. Wipe surfaces with a damp cloth, since dry dusting can spread particles.
5. Wash bedding and throws at a high temperature as often as you can manage. Use washable covers on sofas.
6. Use air filtration. A room air filter with a fine particle filter may help some people. It does not replace cleaning.
7. Wash your hands after touching the cat, and avoid touching your face. Change clothes after a long cuddle if you are sensitive.
8. Have the cat neutered. An intact male produces more allergen than a neutered one. Ask your vet about timing.
9. Groom with care. Someone who is not allergic should do the brushing, outdoors where possible. Bathing a cat is not a proven fix, and many cats find it stressful. Ask your vet before you try it.
10. Keep the cat well. Cats with skin disease or excessive shedding may spread more allergen. Regular vet visits help.

Products and claims

Some companies sell foods, sprays or wipes said to reduce allergen. Evidence for them is limited and varies. Ask your doctor and your vet before spending money on these, and do not change your cat's diet without veterinary advice. Allergy shots and other medical options belong to your doctor. Avoid essential oils and strong sprays near a cat, since many are toxic to cats.

Common mistakes

• Choosing a breed by label alone. Test with the individual cat.
• Thinking short hair means less allergen. The allergen comes from skin and saliva.
• Bringing a cat home without a trial. Reactions can take hours or days to appear.
• Ignoring wheezing. It needs a doctor.
• Rehoming the cat on impulse. Many households find a plan that works. Try the steps above and speak to your doctor first.
• Treating your own symptoms with a cat's medicine. Never give a cat human medicine, and never use pet products on yourself.
• Forgetting the cat's health. Cats can also suffer from breathing disease. feline asthma causes coughing and wheezing in cats, and a vet must diagnose it.

When to get help

See a doctor urgently if you have severe wheezing, trouble breathing, a swollen face or throat, or hives after contact with a cat. Call emergency services if breathing is hard. These are medical emergencies.

See your vet if your cat:

• coughs, wheezes or breathes with an open mouth
• stops eating for a day or more
• strains in the litter box or passes little or no urine, especially a male
• scratches or overgrooms until its skin is bald or sore

Summary

• Cat allergy is a reaction to proteins in saliva and skin, mainly Fel d 1.
• No breed is allergen free, though individual cats differ in how much they produce.
• Meet the specific cat several times before adopting.
• Keep the cat out of the bedroom, clean often with filtered vacuuming, and wash bedding.
• Neutering lowers allergen in males.
• Talk to a doctor about testing and treatment. Seek emergency help for breathing trouble.
• Do not give any human medicines to a cat.