Allergy and indoor cat and small kids

[GreySkiesComing]

Hi, I'm hoping for some advice please.

I've never considered a cat before as i have a moderate allergy to most animals but my children are so desperate for a pet. I've looked up lists of "hypo allergenic cats" but I'm not sure how trustworthy they are, or how individual allergies might react.

I'm also hoping for an indoor cat as i don't like the idea of the cat predating on wildlife. I appreciate this is natural behaviour but I find it stressful. Or are there cats that are less predatory by nature?

And finally i have young children so would like a friendly cat.

Any help would be very welcome.

Hypoallergenic cats aren’t hypoallergenic. It’s not just cat dander, or hair, enzymes in their saliva also trigger allergies.

I had an indoor cat (a supposedly hypoallergenic breed!) when I got together with my partner. He was allergic. We managed for a while even though his asthma deteriorated and his medical notes show the doctor advised getting rid of the cat, he didn’t tell me.

Then had a child who was also allergic. Child couldn’t manage with the cat. We tried rehoming but it was impossible with an elderly cat and the other option was euthanise her which I couldn’t bring myself to do to a healthy and loved pet. I tried shelters, giving her back to the breeder, the rehoming page for the breed. Tumbleweeds.

Cat ended up living separately to us, in her own part of the house that only I went in. Their allergies got worse when they did have any contact as they had less exposure with her (upping contact was not an option as the more exposure they had the less breathing they could do).

Thankfully by the time second child arrived (also allergic!), cat was really old and she died 2 months later. We are several months down the line and everyone’s asthma has improved drastically so even though she was kept away, she was still affecting them.

I don’t recommend even trying it. I am lucky we were able to keep her apart - I know of another example where the cat ended up living in a run outside. Very lonely.

There is no such thing as a hypo allergy cat

Don't do it. I know the pressure from the kids is strong but it will not end well. You'll end up rehoming the cat (which is a horrible situation to be in) or being ill all the time. I developed cat allergy asthma which was very serious in the end, I had an attack when I was alone in the house and honestly thought it was going to be the end.

I also have a cat allergy but have been feeding our kitten purina live clear since we brought her home. It binds the proteins they produce and reduces allergens. You have to be fairly strict on the diet though or else the food doesn't work.

DH has a cat allergy (although it that bad) and was fine living with Siberian cats. Can you trial a cta living with you? Make sure it is pedigree too!

A trial doesn't really tell you anything and will (of course) mean the DCs get attached. When we got ours, my allergies completely disappeared for a good couple of years before they came roaring back.

Echo the others - this is a no. Look into other pets.

There's no such thing.

If you're allergic then you need to for a completely different pet.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the input.

I will write off the cat idea with a heavy heart.