..to want to get a cat when three of my close friends are allergic?

[DangerGrouse]

I live alone with my toddler and I really want to get a cat. I grew up with them, I find them great company and love having a furry friend to snuggle on a lonely night. They make me feel calm and happy and I like coming home to them blah blah I just like cats you get the picture.
The problem is that I have a group of four very close friends who I see weekly and three of them are allergic to cats.
This is a real dilemma for me as I really value having visitors and need my friends to come and see me - also for company! I don't want them to feel uncomfortable in my house or not want to come round because they are allergic to the cat.
What should I do? Any solutions oh wise women?

DS is allergic to cats, the surface of his eyes swell up like a big goo of jelly, it is so gross, his asthma ramps up too. He likes them though. Luckily it doesn't set him off to simply be in a room with them although if someone plumps a pillow or moves a bed they sleep on or something like that it sets him off. When he was little he reached under a sofa at a friend's to retrieve a toy and had such a bad reaction that the antihistamines wouldn't calm it down and we had to go to the hospital. If simply being in a house with cats made him that bad we wouldn't have visited anyone with cats.

I really don't like cats, but I'm not allergic to them as far as I know. I am allergic to other things though but don't pop antihistamines like crack as I am able to avoid most of them.

It's a but awkward being three good friends and not already having a cat!

I'm very staunchly in the camp of "it's the cat's house" but I've never not had one (well about 3 days when I was a tot!). The cats have the run of the house, in the summer I'll pop them out for a bit but generally with anyone allergic we'd have to sit in the kitchen. If someone just didn't like them it would be tough.

I'd say get one because they bring a lot of joy and take precautions if necessary when friends visit.

I have Siberians. They're hypo-allergenic.

And they're really affectionate.

but if it helps there are certain breeds of cats that cause fewer allergy symptoms, my DH is allergic to cats but he has no reaction at all to our siberian cats (and they are very beautiful too)

And the people in my life who are allergic are extremely allergic to my Siberian. To the point of wheezing and breathlessness, not just a bit of sneezing.

You really cannot tell till you are in contact with them.