Child living with a cat allergy? Am I mad to consider this?

[CityDweller]

We want to get a cat and have been looking into pedigree cats because I have in the past been allergic to a cat (but grew up with one and was fine with that one and with most others I've met). We decided on a Bengal, found a nice breeder, etc. We have two DC - one of them, DD(8), has seasonal hayfever but has never shown any reaction to cats before.

We've done two visits to the Bengal kittens. On visit one (we were there for an hour), DD was completely fine - no reaction at all during or after the visit. On visit two (a week later), DD was sneezy and had really itchy eyes within about 20 mins of being there and we left after about 45 mins because her eyes were really bothering her. The only things that were different on the two visits were: visit 1 - DD had taken her hayfever pill/spray the evening before (about 18 hours before the visit), on visit 2 she hadn't taken any medication. Also on the day of visit 2 DD's seasonal allergies were anyway a bit flared up (she was a little sneezy/ snuffly on the way there) - mine have also been a bit flared up recently as they often are at this time of year.

Now I don't know what to do! My unscientific conclusion is that DD has a mild allergy to cats that could be managed by her regular hayfever medication that she anyway has to take about 5 months of the year. But I also don't want to set her up for a childhood of having to take medication every day. I'm also worried the allergy might get worse. But on the flip side I've read lots of stories of people building up tolerance/ immunity to their own cats.

Has anyone dealt with a similar situation? What would you do? The irony is that I've resisted the rest of the family's pleas to get a cat for years, thinking that I was the allergic one. Turns out I'm completely fine, but DD potentially not. We all feel a little heartbroken at the prospect of giving up our cat-owning dreams. But I absolutely do not want to get into a situation where we have to rehome the kitten after a few weeks because DD's allergies are unmanageable.

@ColouringPencils

If your DD has to take hayfever medicine 5 months a year, and had an allergic reaction to this cat, it seems like absolute madness to me. Were you really allergic to cats yourself and still want to get one? Allergies are horrible, why would you inflict it on yourself?

I had an allergic reaction once to one cat. But I also grew up with a cat, later lived with cats for a while as an adult and have been around plenty of other cats (including these kittens) with no issue at all. But I’ve always for some reason resisted family pleas for a cat on the basis that I could be allergic. As I said, turns out I’m fine…

Personally I don't think what you have said in your op is conclusive proof of a cat allergy. I would see about getting her tested before you progress any further or write the cat idea off completely.
You say she was already reactive before the second visit but was fine the first time. Presumably she had been exposed to cats in the past too?
Is it possible she reacted to something else in that house. Flowers? An air freshener ect!

No I wouldn't get a cat if she was allergic but I would make sure it was the cat she is reacting too before I wrote it off!

I think people who don't get allergies don't really understand how horrible it is. It isn't just the effects you can see like sneezing and wheezing, but they make you feel really exhausted and below parr the whole time. You wouldn't choose it. I can see that a child who comes along after you already have a pet might have to take tablets, but the idea you would get a cat and assume your child can just take daily medication is really awful!

That sucks OP. Obviously you can’t then get the cat you were planning to. I think there mighbt be a breed of cat that doesn’t trigger allergies? But no idea if it has to be hairless or just different hair. Maybe google

You need petal cleanse.

Sphinx and other hairless cats are worst for allergies, I’ve found. There’s no fur to trap some of the cat dust and saliva.

Look into Siberians. Firstly DH has a moderate allergy and lives happily with two, while still reacting to other people’s cats.
Secondly they are the most gorgeous and child friendly cats ever 😀

My ds is allergic to a certain type of washing powder. Brings him out in an itchy rash, but I really like the smell, should I just use it anyway?

@Thatsplentyjack

My ds is allergic to a certain type of washing powder. Brings him out in an itchy rash, but I really like the smell, should I just use it anyway?

Maybe just use less? I'm sure that would be fine. Then he won't realise that that low level shittiness that he's constantly feeling is actually an allergic reaction and by the time he does the whole family will be far too attached to the washing powder for anyone to seriously consider getting rid of it and he can just live on antihistamines...sounds like the perfect solution.

Well I'd avoid getting any cat from a breeder who witnessed you having to leave their property due to dd having a reaction to their cats but still let you take a kitten. A responsible one wound be saying no way as that's a high risk of the cat needing rehomed. As others have said though it doesn't mean she'll be allergic to all cats. It's worth investigating further.

It's not the hair. It's the saliva.

Another vote for Siberians. I have had a lot of cats and took a Siberian home from work to foster - she's now mine. She is the funniest, cheekiest, most loving cat I have ever had.

I realise this is an old thread but for the sake of mentioning Siberians again - these are our two. Just gorgeous as well as geniunely hypoallergenic for many.

Pics didn't post?

Siberian forest cats are supposed to be hypoallergenic. Some breeds are worse for allergies than others