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Original poster

People with dog and cat allergies: talk to me!

39 replies

margaritasbythesea · 04/08/2019 18:30

I'll spare you the backstory as it is probably not interesting to you but I would really like to know if there is any leeway at all that would mean you could visit a familt member with a cat or a dog?

Would having a hypoallergenic breed help? Would putting the animal in a kennel or cattery for the duration of the stay and having the carpets steamed make it doable?

I would be really interested to know as just as I finally have the house to welcome both pets and family members, as I have dreamed of for years, a family member has developed asthma triggered by cats, dogs and horses.

Is there any hope for me to have a cat or dog?

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 04/08/2019 18:38

My dd is allergic to cats but not to ours but an occasional visitor probably would t be able to build up immunity.
We have had visitors with cat/dog allergies who say they don’t have a bad reaction here though, which may be because we have no carpets the sofas are leather and the animals aren’t allowed in the bedrooms BUT a close friend did have a bad asthma attack once

Original poster
margaritasbythesea · 04/08/2019 18:55

Hmm. Thanks for your reply. Doesn't sound very positive. We have carpets throughout.

Oh! I have waited so long for my kitties!

OP posts:
Disfordarkchocolate · 04/08/2019 18:58

I can cope with dogs for about 30 minutes but even with allergy meds and a nice clean house, I will last a couple of minutes in a house with a cat.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Cats Dogs
Digestive28 · 04/08/2019 18:58

I’m allergic to cats and horses. Antihistamines when visiting others helps hugely. As does them not having pets in bedrooms if I’m sleeping in there. It’s the hair that’s the issue, so something with short hair that doesn’t malt all over the house it’s better.

Digestive28 · 04/08/2019 18:59

And it’s loads better in summer as doors open, me and pets more likely to be outside etc so maybe only have family visits in summer!

Hollywhiskey · 04/08/2019 19:02

My brother is very allergic to cats and horses. Hard floors and not allowing pets on carpets or soft furnishing makes a big difference, as does hoovering regularly.
There's a product you can put on the cats to damp down dander - it's called petal cleanse. My parents treated their cats with it when we lived at home but it's not something I would do for visits.
I think he also takes allergy medication. His job means he has to go into all sorts of people's homes which may have multiple allergens or not be kept clean so the allergy must be controlled if for that reason alone.

Original poster
margaritasbythesea · 04/08/2019 19:03

Thanks for your replies.

Proposed visit is at Christmas Sad

Proposed cat is a maine coon Cross Sad

Fail on both points there.

I'd go for a dog instead quite happily but 30 minutes would be a pretty short visit as she's coming from abroad.

Sigh.

OP posts:
Paddingtonthebear · 04/08/2019 19:09

There’s no such thing as hypoallergenic breeds.

I am allergic to all cats and some dogs and some horses. We have a dog that doesn’t shed fur and I am not allergic to her. She is a cross breed of two dog breeds (shih tzu and poodle) that have hair not fur and do not shed. I am allergic to my friends dog though who is poodle x spaniel. It’s the spaniel side as I am also allergic to a cousins cocker spaniel.

Basically there is no guarantee. I know someone who breeds Russian blue and Siberian cats and she always warns people that they still may be allergic. It’s not the cat hair, it’s the protein in the saliva.

AnnieOH1 · 04/08/2019 19:09

I'm allergic to animal dander, feathers and straw, I have been for at least 20 years. Does it stop me? Absolutely not. Most nights you'll find a cat or a rabbit on the bed with me. Provided I take daily antihistamines, and extra antihistamines and eye sprays during moulting season I am okay. Our floors are all hard though and the sofas are all leather. I'm not sure how easy carpet and upholstery would be to clean.

Because we have so many I make sure to offer antihistamines to visitors (I keep ones we don't use to give them options!) and warn people beforehand. I've never had anyone refuse to visit although I guess there's always a first time!

TheForgetfulCat · 04/08/2019 19:12

We have a Siberian cat who doesn't set off my allergic husband.

aliensprig · 04/08/2019 19:15

No such thing as a hypoallergenic cat or any animal for that matter. Any breeders who claim to have them are just trying to sell you an overpriced cat.

Get a short-haired moggy from a shelter, groom it outside lots and hoover everyday.

Also, antihistamines.

Original poster
margaritasbythesea · 04/08/2019 19:16

I wish my family would have your attitude Annie oh, but there's a snowball's chance in hell.

I'm just grasping at staws really.

OP posts:
Myotherusernameisshy · 04/08/2019 19:19

No I absolutely wouldn’t be able to stay at your house with a cat sorry. Checking it into a chattery wouldn’t really help me as I’m very allergic and would still struggle with asthma attacks. If it’s a relative that visits very infrequently could you not book them in a hotel or rent a local Airbnb for the occasional visit?

Benjispruce · 04/08/2019 19:20

DD has had allergic responses to dogs and cats. We got a rescue dog after we visited twice and she got no reaction. We’ve had the dog 3 years and she’s fine. If she spends a lot of time cuddling her, she might get a bit stuffy nosed but otherwise fine. Dog not allowed upstairs or on chairs btw.

Myotherusernameisshy · 04/08/2019 19:21

Sadly all the positive mental attitude and antihistamines in the world don’t work for me - honestly I’ve tried everything as my best friend has cats - please don’t take it personally.

AJPTaylor · 04/08/2019 19:23

I have a severe cat allergy. My sister got cats. I simply never visit her.

WouldYouLikeAnOmlette · 04/08/2019 19:56

I don't visit family with cats.
I used to visit a few family members who didn't have a cat, they then got a cat knowing I was really allergic. Got pissed off when I then stopped visiting Sad it's not rocket science!

Original poster
margaritasbythesea · 04/08/2019 19:58

It will be the cats that get ditched not the SIL. I just hoped that there would be a way around it as I've waited years to be able to have them. The ones we have been offered are three weeks old. Sad

OP posts:
sonjadog · 04/08/2019 20:11

I have asthma, react to cat and dog fur and have been a dog (and for a period also a cat) owner for the best part of twenty years. I also visit people with cats and dogs. I have built up a reasonable tolerance to my own animals. I need to take the full asthma/allergy package when I go and visit. So booster inhaler morning and evening, antihistamine tablets morning and evening, plus some extra puffs.

I have to watch not to touch animals with bare skin and I have a strict no animal policy on sofas and beds at home. Animals on sofas and beds are the biggest problem for me when visiting someone. I also have no carpet in my house as wooden floors are easier to keep clean and allergy-friendly.

In theory, I should be someone who doesn't have pets, but I love dogs and having a dog is important for my quality of life. So the allergies I deal with for the dog. The allergies aren't that hard to deal with when you are used to it. If you want a cat and it would mean a lot to have one in your life, then I think you should get a cat. Your SiL can find a way to deal with it. I don't think you should let someone who only visits once in a while dictate how you live your life. I have friends who don't stay with me because of my dog. It´s fine, we just meet up elsewhere.

BringOnTheScience · 04/08/2019 20:30

Your cats wiuld be with you as companions, full-time, for years. Your SIL is coming for a short visit. No contest.
If her allergies are too severe for antihistamines (my DH can manage with them when visiting my parents with their dug), then she'll have to stay in a hotel/airbnb/ etc.

WouldYouLikeAnOmlette · 04/08/2019 20:38

Bringon we are literally thousands of pounds down that road. If she values family she won't do that to them. We've had to really cut down visits as we just can't afford it.

SabineSchmetterling · 04/08/2019 20:39

Anecdotal, but my Maine Coon (rescue so could well be a cross) is the only cat that my very allergic BIL doesn’t react to. As a general rule lighter coloured cats produce less allergen than darker cats. I’m also slightly allergic to cats and cope much better with long-haired cats than shorthairs. I’m fine at home but react to my mum’s two shorthairs every time I visit.
Get the cat(s) and, if necessary, put them in a cattery and give the carpets and soft furnishings a good clean for visits.

Disfordarkchocolate · 04/08/2019 20:45

I'm very allergic and I don't get upset if family members decide to get pets, I just can't visit if they have cats and don't stay long if they have dogs. It's fine. I would never expect anyone not to get a pet because of my allergies.

Original poster
margaritasbythesea · 04/08/2019 20:47

It would cause a huge amount of strife at home. We've worked hard to get a house where DHs family can stay and it means everything to him as they are far away and money isn't plentiful, and to me too really but I just feel sad and resentful as I've waited so long, and we were let down a month ago about some other cats. If we hadn't been, then we'd have to think of other options. As it is, it's not going to work.

OP posts:
SabineSchmetterling · 04/08/2019 20:47

Just to add the shorthair thing isn’t just me. My BIL has streaming eyes and hives within minutes of going into my mum’s house but can happily sit with my cat for hours... and she always makes a beeline for him.