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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

DH and cat allergy

38 replies

mojitomo · 10/05/2015 22:49

DH has become allergic to our cats and wants to get them rehomed Sad
The cats are almost 8 and we all love them. They're now confined to the kitchen but he's still reacting to them. He refuses to take any medication for his allergy which I think is a bit daft cos it might help.
Any suggestions?

OP posts:
mousmous · 10/05/2015 22:52

sorry, but you need to rehome the cats.
having (pet) allergies is miserable and the meds can have side effects.

Original poster
mojitomo · 10/05/2015 22:56

thanks mousmous- we've asked everyone we know but no one wants them Sad.

OP posts:
mousmous · 10/05/2015 23:00

another thought, have you deep cleaned the house and washed all clothes and soft furnishings?

usually people react to the dander and saliva, not the hair directly, so having the cats in one room doesn't really help as the dander will still fill the house. it's a bit like cigarette smoke, invisible but unpleasant (for allergy sufferers).

patienceisvirtuous · 10/05/2015 23:02

He should try meds. I had a terrible cat allergy. Take Benadryl (the one with acrivastine) and magic, no allergy.

If not, re home through reputable charity.

Pipbin · 10/05/2015 23:03

I'd rehome him quite frankly.

Original poster
mojitomo · 10/05/2015 23:05

Steam cleaned kitchen and utility today. Next step is to steam clean the carpets in the house and get curtains cleaned. I've ordered petal cleanse so going to try that next. Does the dander still get everywhere if cats not in the rooms? Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
mojitomo · 10/05/2015 23:07

Grin Grin pipbin. I've had that thought a few times...cats are so much easier to live with than humans

OP posts:
patienceisvirtuous · 10/05/2015 23:07

It's easily solve able with antihistamines.

patienceisvirtuous · 10/05/2015 23:07

*solveable

Original poster
mojitomo · 10/05/2015 23:10

I would take antihistamines if it meant that we could keep the cats but he's not prepared to do that. The DCs love the wee furries as well so it's going to be very difficult. I've had cats all my life and the thought of never being able to have any around makes me Sad

OP posts:
Pipbin · 10/05/2015 23:18

He is out voted. Can he live in a shed or something? He's the one with the problem, why should everyone else have to lose out.*

*I'm only half joking here.

Hexbramble · 10/05/2015 23:19

OP is there a reason why he won't consider AH's?

I took a seemingly non-drowsy AH a few weeks ago which left me terribly drugged and unable to drive for most of the weekend. Seems a extreme reaction but i really would not be prepared tog othrougheach brand looking for one that didn't turn me into a zombie.

Wolfiefan · 10/05/2015 23:19

My DSis is allergic to cats and at one point growing up we had 4!
Are you certain it's the cats?
If so hard flooring, washable covers on soft furnishings and blinds not curtains should help.
You can't keep them shut in the kitchen so for the short term at least I suggest he does try antihistamines.
Or moves out!

Original poster
mojitomo · 10/05/2015 23:25

he's not keen on taking medication long term. He's taken antihistamines before for hayfever and has been fine with them. He's certain it's the cats because he's fine when he's not at home. We have a very nice shed...Smile Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
mojitomo · 10/05/2015 23:28

he says he'll take antihistamines short term if I agree to rehome the cats but I want to try the petal cleanse and steam cleaning first. it's a bit of an impasse Hmm

OP posts:
parsnipbob · 10/05/2015 23:31

Gosh, why won't he take meds? I'm allergic to our two (pretty allergic as it happens). I take meds and it's absolutely fine, no big deal.

Butterflywings168 · 10/05/2015 23:32

Grin pipbin

SolidGoldBrass · 10/05/2015 23:34

FFS, rehome the cats. Pet allergies are horrible to live with (partly because of the endless wankers who think that you are making a fuss about nothing and their special furry shit machine couldn't possibly be making you feel that ill) and a lot of people find antihistamines miserable to take on a regular basis.

Back in the days when i was dating and still thought I might actually go in for a longterm relationship, having cats or dogs was pretty much a deal breaker for me. I wouldn't share my house with anything furry.

Original poster
mojitomo · 10/05/2015 23:48

we quite like our special furry shit machines though and that's the problem. we've had them since tiny kittens and we're very attached. Am hoping that we can keep them but his health comes first

OP posts:
TheCraicDealer · 10/05/2015 23:59

I don't blame him not wanting to be on medication for, what, another ten years? And then once the cats you have presently move on, it'll be hard for him to argue not getting another one because it'll be said, "sure you're used to taking the tablets".

On top of that, there's recent surveys that suggest that anti-allergy meds can stop working for people after taking them for a while, which means he'd be suffering and have no way to alleviate the symptoms. I know you love your cats, but I think it's more important that someone can find peace and rest in their own home rather than feeling like poop.

Original poster
mojitomo · 11/05/2015 00:05

nope if the meds don't help then cats would have to go and we wouldn't be getting any more cos it's almost like not having them now as they're not allowed anywhere in the house. it's just difficult cos we love the ones we've got.

OP posts:
patienceisvirtuous · 11/05/2015 04:16

It's not fair to keep them cooped up so maybe rehoming is best.

Pls rehome responsibly.

Fluffycloudland77 · 11/05/2015 07:01

he should take the antihistamines and stop being selfish. They are very cheap in homebargains and online chemists.

He's being really childish. The cats haven't done anything wrong.

He should ask his GP for an allergy test as well. I'd be raging if I was you. Absolutely raging.

If his health came first to him he'd take the AH. He's suffering on purpose.

kinkytoes · 11/05/2015 07:08

Those poor cats! At the age they are they won't find new homes easily sadly. Poor dc too I'd be heartbroken. Have you spoken to a doctor together to see what the actual long term problems night be with antihistamines? He sounds really selfish to not even try. Surely he cares how his family feel?

kinkytoes · 11/05/2015 07:09

Good point fluffy. If it turns out it's not the cats then it's pointless rehoming them anyway. Get him allergy tested.

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