Kitten allergy! Don't know how much more I can take!

ThisIsMyHappyFacee · 2023-04-15T16:21:41+00:00

I'm really suffering. We've only had him just over 2 weeks and my symptoms of sneezing, blocked nose and generally feeling awful are just getting worse. But my son adores him, I do too but he's like a baby and constantly climbs on me whenever I'm sitting down. My son is 13 and is already so attached to him. I'm taking antihistamines, nasal spray, hoovering, keeping kitten out of bedroom and even feeding him kitten food to reduce allergies which I know will take a while to work (if it does). Nothing is helping..... Help! 😭

PeonyFairy · 15/04/2023 17:26

I can't help but I had the same problem. DS was 13 and going through a tough time so I relented on the kitten front. I am allergic but didn't realise how much. Itchy eyes, nose, sneezing etc.
I avoided handling the cat, wash my hands at the slightest touch. Never allowed upstairs or in bedrooms, not allowed on furniture. He is shut in kitchen at night (has a cat flap). All those help a bit.
12 years later DS now 25 has long since left home and I still have the cat. He is in rented accom so can't have a pet.
I think the allerdy has lessened a tiny bit but it's still there.

Original poster

ThisIsMyHappyFacee · 15/04/2023 19:12

Thank you for your advice, it's just so hard and I deeply regret getting him now.

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Ponderingwindow · 15/04/2023 19:17

You have to re-home. The allergies aren’t going to get better. It’s better to find a new family for the kitten before it gets too settled.

then I would go get allergy testing, figure out which pets you can handle, and decide with your son what kind of pet you will be adopting, even if you aren’t entirely thrilled about taking on the responsibility.

Puppylucky · 15/04/2023 19:19

That's not true that the allergy won't get any better. People with allergies to cats or dogs can become desensitised through exposure - I did.

DrHousecuredme · 15/04/2023 19:28

Ponderingwindow · 15/04/2023 19:17

You have to re-home. The allergies aren’t going to get better. It’s better to find a new family for the kitten before it gets too settled.

then I would go get allergy testing, figure out which pets you can handle, and decide with your son what kind of pet you will be adopting, even if you aren’t entirely thrilled about taking on the responsibility.

Actually this is incorrect, you do normally build up a resistance to pets you're with every day.
With my two most recent cats I had a blocked nose and itchy eyes for 3 months then it tailed off.
You have the warmer weather coming which might ease things as you can get a bit more air in the house.

PussBilledDuckyPlait · 15/04/2023 19:33

Has he been castrated yet? Castration (and spaying for females) significantly reduces the level of allergens a cat produces. If he hasn't been 'done' yet, it might be worth seeing if this helps before rehoming him.

TheInterceptor · 15/04/2023 19:34

We have just regretfully decided to rehome a cat due to allergies. We've tried everything, but my son is getting worse and worse. It's miserable for him, and for the cat who has so many restrictions now. It's the best decision for all involved.

letsallmeetupinthehyear2000 · 15/04/2023 19:36

Apart from your allergic problem - do you like the kitten - have you ever had a bad experience with cats for example?

Floralnomad · 15/04/2023 19:44

Try PetAl cleanse , it’s a spray ( or wipes ) that helps with allergens .

wwyd2021medicine · 15/04/2023 19:52

When I first had my dog, it seemed I was allergic to her. My eyes would be sore and stream to the extent that I felt so awful I had to leave events early as I was so miserable.
I found an anti allergy medication that suited me. After about 2 months, I noticed that my symptoms weren't coming back when medication was due.
I completely stopped them and no further problems at all

Original poster

ThisIsMyHappyFacee · 15/04/2023 20:08

PussBilledDuckyPlait · 15/04/2023 19:33

Has he been castrated yet? Castration (and spaying for females) significantly reduces the level of allergens a cat produces. If he hasn't been 'done' yet, it might be worth seeing if this helps before rehoming him.

This is interesting! He's 12 weeks so will be due for castration so I'll give that a go for sure before I make any decisions. I have had kittens & cats before and never been this bad......I'm really hoping it's true that you can maybe become desensitised. And he's only just started on the anti-allergen food so I'm hoping that will help. It'll just be a few more weeks of suffering fingers crossed but I'm going to make sure I get out more every day. I do like him, yes, he's the most adorable, loving kitten ever so I'm going to give it every shot I can before rehoming. I'll also try the wipes mentioned......thank you!

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telli · 15/04/2023 20:08

When we got our kitten I had never been around one before and I was horrendous with blocked nose and feeling like something was stuck in my throat all the time. After about 2 months it got much better and I've never had any problems since with her. So it might be worth trying for a wee while longer.

Skybluepinky · 15/04/2023 20:11

Most are allergic to their saliva so it’ll only get worse as it grows.

BirdChirp · 15/04/2023 20:13

I was allergic for about 6 weeks when I got my cat, it was really miserable - headaches, sneezing, itchy eyes, the whole lot.

I took antihistamines, vacuumed a lot, aired the house as frequently as possible and didn't let her in my bedroom at any time. It eased up a lot after the first few weeks.

A year on and I have her sleeping in my bedroom and hours on my lap and have no real issues unless I don't keep on top of the vacuuming and dusting.

onlyoneoftheregimentinstep · 15/04/2023 20:14

I discovered I was allergic after getting kittens. I was very careful not to touch them or allow them in bedrooms and scrupulous about hand washing and it did gradually improve over time. I used to really notice it if I'd been away for a few days, but then it would settle down again. We had them for 17 years!

Original poster

ThisIsMyHappyFacee · 15/04/2023 20:18

Thank you for the reassurance! 😺

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Original poster

ThisIsMyHappyFacee · 15/04/2023 20:21

He just loves to sit on me whenever I'm sat down and no matter what I do he keeps coming back! I really do hope things get better 🐈

Kitten allergy! Don't know how much more I can take!

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Stropalotopus83 · 15/04/2023 20:23

I discovered I was allergic after we got a kitten. I don't know if it was because as he got a bit older he lost that "fluffy" kitten coat or if I got used to him but after about six months the allergy completely went away. Make sure the kitten is not allowed in the bedroom so you have somewhere "clean" to go x

Original poster

ThisIsMyHappyFacee · 15/04/2023 20:28

Stropalotopus83 · 15/04/2023 20:23

I discovered I was allergic after we got a kitten. I don't know if it was because as he got a bit older he lost that "fluffy" kitten coat or if I got used to him but after about six months the allergy completely went away. Make sure the kitten is not allowed in the bedroom so you have somewhere "clean" to go x

Thank you for another reassuring post. My bedroom is completely out of bounds now so I go there when I'm suffering too much

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Floralnomad · 15/04/2023 21:00

He’s gorgeous @ThisIsMyHappyFacee

Original poster

ThisIsMyHappyFacee · 15/04/2023 21:46

Floralnomad · 15/04/2023 21:00

He’s gorgeous @ThisIsMyHappyFacee

Thank you! 😺

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RandomMess · 15/04/2023 21:52

We had a gap of 12 months or so between cats. I spent 3 weeks "dying" thinking we would have to return them. Coughing, nasal drip, horrific allergic reaction then suddenly the "masking" kicked in and I've happily had cats ever since.

Thankfully I don't have asthma! Very allergic to cats and very many other things.

Mañanarama · 15/04/2023 21:52

Took a few months for me to stop sneezing and snotting when we got a kitten. I knew I was a bit allergic to them but I love cats and it was 100% definitely worth it, so stick with it!

Original poster

ThisIsMyHappyFacee · 15/04/2023 21:57

Thank you both!! Great to hear! 😺😺😺

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 15/04/2023 22:00

Could you be sensitive to his litter ? We have a hooded tray (that Female uses) and a huge flat tray (that Male uses)
She strides out with dust from where she kicks it up and it lands on the walls .

The saliva is a huge allergenic too

My DD was fine with our first 2 guinea-pigs but very allergic to the fur of the 3rd and 6th . And consequently sensitive to their cagemates who they snuggled with ( but less so)
Fine with hay .
We couldn't wipe or over-bathe them .
She didn't grow out of it but she tolerated it