Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pets

Join our community on the Pet forum to discuss anything related to pets.

Flip

Original poster

Rescue cat and allergies?

10 replies

maqrollelgaviero · 26/04/2009 22:40

Hi all,

I haven't posted on this particular part of mumsnet before but I'd welcome any advice from anyone.

We've been thinking of getting a rescue cat for a while, my husband is an experienced cat owner and I'm a first timer but we are now in a quiet area with a garden and our children are old enough to have a pet in the house.

We went to a rescue centre, found a lovely fluffy moggy who reacted briliantly to the boys and 'reserved' him pending a home visit from the RSPCA. I had totally forgotten that we will be having an au pair living with us from sept, I knew she had dogs at home and assumed she'd be fine but after I dropped her an email she said cats are the only animal she is allergic to. Rats!

So... My question is, is there any way an allergy sufferer can live with a cat and how do I make it possible or I am going to have to not get a kitty? I've emailed her again to tell her we have hard floors all through and it would be banned from her room but I guess the ball is in her court now. I just feel a bit sad for 'our' cat and for the kids who are very excited about the cat!

It's all entirely my fault but can I rescue the situation do you think?

Tia

OP posts:

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 26/04/2009 22:44

I'm allergic to cats and dogs, all I can do is take antihistamines every day. It's not nice being drugged! Not all cats/dogs spark allergies though, it's the ones that leave fur all over the place that are the worst. If you keep the cat in one room it's fur will stick to clothes etc so either way, there's little hope apart from the constant supply of medication.

Original poster

maqrollelgaviero · 27/04/2009 12:57

You're completely right, I'd hate her to have to take drugs all the time, that's a bit unfair. She did get back to me and say that the problem is if she touches a cat then her eyes they get itchy but she's prepared to give it a go if she doesn't have to care for the cat. Presumably then the fluffy long haired one is out and we should try and find a shorthaired one ... or will a longhaired one be ok if it's groomed every day?

Thanks for your help

OP posts:

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 28/04/2009 18:32

I'd go for the fluffy long haired one, cats/dogs with short hair malt more then ones that have to go for a trim so are more likely to cause a reaction. Odd hey!

Original poster

maqrollelgaviero · 28/04/2009 19:53

Thanks... Lots of people have said the same so we are sticking to the originally chosen fluffy one. Hurrah! Any recommendations on a grooming brush welcom.

Just the inspection to go now (see other thread).

OP posts:

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 28/04/2009 20:11

A long one! I don't do cats, so can't really help with this one. I'm allergic! Life's hell when there's a cat around. Eyes streaming, wheezing, coughing, sneezing, the full works.

hobbgoblin · 28/04/2009 20:15

I think saliva in cats is a major cause of the allergy.

cheekysealion · 28/04/2009 20:23

i have had my cat for 13 years...

dd who is 5 is allergic... but only reacts if she touches the cat... so she knows not to... sometimes if she forgets she has to have eye drops,.

there is also something called petal cleanse to put on cats coat to ease the problem

Linnet · 28/04/2009 22:53

I was told about petal cleanse which is a spray that you wipe onto the cat and it reduces the dander. I don't have a cat yet, we're looking into getting one, but Im planning to get some of this incase I react to our cat when we get it. I don't react to my dads cats but I do to my friends, which is weird. I don't actually know anyone who has used Petal cleanse though so not sure if it does actually work or not, but surely would be worth a try?

Original poster

maqrollelgaviero · 29/04/2009 11:44

I'm going to try that petal cleanse stuff and also groom outside with the furminator which will hopefully keep the dander down.

I went to see the cat again today, he is very sweet indeed. Hopefully the RSPCA visit tomorrow will go fine and we can collect him at the weekend. As he's an ex stray he doesn't have a name and ds1 who is 4 has gone through Anakin, Captain Rex, Tom, Timmy and Otto and has settled on Roberto!

OP posts:

tigerdriver · 01/05/2009 20:40

I've posted this on lots of pet threads, but...

I am asthmatic, allergic to cats and dogs. I am 47 and have lived with them all my life. When a new one turns up, I have about a week to 10 days of misery, then I sensitise to them and we have a truce. I can't spend a night in the same room as them without windows open but can live in the same house but ours are always outdoor cats so out a lot. This time (we have had our new kittens for a coupla months but have already got a 13 yo softie) I discovered Piriton after about 5 days of debating whether to go to hospital and it worked a treat. All is ok now. So it might look like a big problem for a few days, but it might just settle down.

Flip