Air filters and other solutions for cat allergy

[KickHimInTheCrotch]

My DD is mildly allergic to our cats. One of them moults quite a lot.

I try and keep up with brushing and hoovering and we keep the cats out of her room as much as we can.

In the summer DD takes anti histamine for hay-fever which helps with the symptoms but I'd like to get on top of the fur this autumn.

The cats aren't keen on being brushed but if you have any recommendations for:

• decent brushes that cats don't hate
• budget priced air filters/purifiers that work
• any other tips and advice for reducing the impact of having cats.

I would love to hear them. Obviously the cats are here to stay and we have another 4 years before DD goes to uni so hopefully we can make it a bit more comfortable for her.

you need to rehome the cats.

your daughter is suffering and will feel soooo much better without her allergy trigger constantly around her, even if she takes antihistamines.

She's against the idea of re-homing and its a very mild reaction.

I'd like to explore all the things I can do to manage it before we re-home. Which DD would not thank me for, even if it was for her own good.

Then a daily year round antihistamine is recommended. Bulk buy them for pennies: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/cheap-hayfever-remedies/

The protein which causes the cat allergy has very sticky molecules. So although brushing and hoovering helps, the problem is they can stick to walls or doors ans linger for up to 6 months.

Three different cats hated being brushed and I even invested in one of those expensive "cats adore this brush". Total waste of £30. Bought a small rabbit brush as one of the cats was a dainty size and now two cats will actually roll over onto their backs for more brushing. It also tackles the under fur and stimulates the blood supply to the skin/hair base so helps with any dandruff. I think mine cost £1.50 pre-covid but this is it:

www.petsathome.com/product/pets-at-home-small-animal-grooming-soft-pin-slicker-brush/7135621P?productId=7135621&purchaseType=one-time&size=oneSize

We have a Levoit air filter purifier thing in the bedroom - our one is designated as helping with pet hair but I suspect they are all much of a much-ness. I think it was about £100 and then you buy replacement filters for it.

Our cat loves being brushed and I do him every night. The best brush for removing the woolly undercoat is a silicon type one, but it doesn’t “hold” the fur so you then need to sweep or hoover. I tend to use a wire brush which holds the fur and pops it out in a round shape afterwards. (I think ours is from Pets at Home, but it’s this sort of thing.)

I do take a daily antihistamine - I get Fexofenadine 180 on prescription. Our last cat was much longer haired and drifted fur absolutely everywhere she went despite daily brushing (to the point that the vet once said it was inportant she got brushed and why didn’t we do it - cue me being mortally offended!) but tbh I don’t see much difference in my symptoms with a shorter haired cat. Our girl used to sleep on our bed a lot which our boy tends to do a lot less, but again I don’t think that makes much odds.

Will look into all of these suggestions. Thank you.

Get some petal cleanse, I put it on my hands and then wipe them over my cat.

We have air filter up and downstairs.

Purina live clear dry food removes the allergen from the cats saliva so try this too.

DD is ok unless she touches cat so she washes hands straight away. We have a small slicker brush.