Help! I might have developed an allergy to my cats

[Sneezyweezy2]

I have always had cats no problems, but seem to have developed an allergy to my new fluffy kittens. I have had them 3 months and I have been coughing since they arrived. Antihistamines seems to clear it up, but I don’t want to be on them for the rest of my life. We got them from a rescue and I cannot face giving them back now as they are so happy with us and I know it would take ages to rehome.

Has anyone been in a similar situation and managed to find a way to live with the cats?

It is possible to be allergic to different cats.
I would buy petal cleanse to apply to their fur, I put in on my hands and just wipe it over the cat.
I have an air purifier up and downstairs.
You could try live clear dry food which reduces what's in the cats saliva which is normally what you would be allergic to.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PetalCleanse-Small-Animal-Treatment-350ml/dp/B019IO93V0

You might find that the reactions reduce once the kittens start going outside.

A decent air purifier might help in the meantime.

I live with someone with a mild cat allergy, it's always worse in the winter when cat is in more.

And taking regular antihistamines isn't unusual or anything to worry about (I take them year round for other allergies).

In the US DH used to take Clarityn whenever his cat allergies flared up. I don't know what the UK equivalent was. We had three cats and one of them spent most evenings sitting on the back of DH's arm chair.

Yes.
I always refused to have pets as I knew I was allergic. When DS was 13 and going through an unhappy phase I caved in and we got a rescue kitten. That's was 14 years ago , DS has long since left home but I still have the cat. If I was doing it again I would say no.

However I have learned to manage it. Spraying or treating the cat makes no difference. I itch, sneeze and cough. What keeps it manageable.

1. Cat is never allowed in the bedroom. Not ever.
2. He's discouraged from going upstairs and doesn't bother.
3. He's shut in the kitchen at night. Has a cat flap. I think indoor cats would be much harder to manage allergies.
4. Lots of hoovering.
5. I don't handle or touch the cat unless unavoidable and if I touch it in any way I wash my hands. This saves you getting cat in your face from your hands.
6. I refuse to live on antihistamines but take as a last resort. I have multiple health issues and take a lot of drugs

Why not use antihistamines for the rest of the cats lives?
Assuming you will outlive the cats. I take one a day because I'm allergic to my cat. I wont rehome him and antihistamines are so cheap it seemed sensible.

Agree, so helpful to use.

Which ingredient do you find helps you.

My DH is allergic to one of our cats and just takes antihistamines everyday. He doesn't have an issue and wouldn't dream of getting rid of them over it.

I use loritadine as theres no drowsiness. But theres plenty of other choices out there.
And a years supply from Amazon is about 12 pounds.

Not personally had any experience of this but I had heard there was a food that reduced this
Pro Plan LiveClear Cat Food: Allergen Management | Purina

I think you will have to live outside and the cats stay in the house.
You can eat your meals by the back door and come indoors to use your litter tray (the toilet).
Sorry, but that's just the way it is with cats.

(P.S. I am guessing that the photo must have fallen off in the post.)

Or the kitties might put me up for re homing 🤣

I will keep taking the antihistamines. I know the kittens are here to stay 🥰

Absolutely, where are the photos @Sneezyweezy2

That’s the one I use too. Cetirizine can cause physical dependency - I withdrew after taking it daily and it was hell, so I’d avoid those.