Living with cat allergies
Allergies may develop at any point in our lives triggered by significant life changes from moving to hormonal changes like pregnancy or even a overly simulated immune response from medication. Regardless of the reason, we suddenly find ourselves getting the sniffles, watery eggs or even rashes.
When this happens and it is triggered by food or the environment around us, we can find ways to eliminate or minimize our exposure. However when it is triggered by our favorite pet, eliminating exposure is not an option that many of us would consider, especially if the pet has been with the family for a long time and has formed an undeniable bond.
Here are some tips that may help.
Get tested.
Clarify the causes of the persistent sniffles each time you get home. It may not be the pet that is actually causing the sniffles but pet related items, Pine ( wood pellet litter) Dust ( silica litter) Pollen (outdoor romps) Egg or Diary that pet consumes or even mites that get onto pet from your furnishings. It may even be a simple ingredient from a Pet’s shampoo, yeast or pet dander from dead skin flakes…The possibilities are endless. Once you have gotten tested and identify which items trigger a strong response, you can then better plan what is the best way forward.
Change litter.
A dust free system or strong clumping litter may be a tiny bit more expensive but the lesser pollutants in the air helps. Where possible invest in an automatic semi-enclosed cat litter box. This will keep waste and dust from spreading and litter fresh without your intervention.
Air-purifiers.
Deploy air-purifiers near litter boxes as well as areas that you spend long hours in.
De-clutter & clean.
Throw out thick fabrics/ carpets that trap dust and dirt. Get washable covers for furnishings or solid pieces that are easy to wipe down.. Get your curtains washed and carpets shampooed. Vacuum everything frequently. Especially in areas that you frequent or cat frequents. Spray cat trees and scratching posts with disinfectant regularly and wipe them down. What’s clean for you is clean for the cat too.. Minimizing mites and other pathogens from blooming in their favorite surfaces and being carried on their fur to you.
Invest in their diet.
A healthy cat sheds less dander. Verify if pet has mild food allergies that maybe causing more dander. Where possible feed them a clean, complete diet.
Wash.
Bathe your cat and completely dry them. I cannot stress enough on the importance of blow drying them. Even short coated cats need a good blow. When you blow dry a cat, loose fur is removed and if the coat is nice and dry the probability of bacteria, yeast and fungus is significantly reduced. There is also less self grooming required from the cat and thus less saliva deposits on their fur.
Minimize rough play.
Refrain from roughing up their coat. This kicks up dander and promotes higher then necessary self-groom in cats. Cats are finicky, they don’t appreciate your scent or rearrangement of their coats… They are perfect the way they are without our intervention. Stoke them with along the growth of their fur instead of against it.
Neuter.
If not yet neutered, schedule for your pet to be neutered ASAP. It takes about 2 months after neuter for allergen levels to drop. You would be preventing your cat from developing cancers and unwanted litters in addition to aiding in allergy management.
Use pet friendly cleaners.
Sometimes harsh chemicals and cleaning agents trigger skin and digestive issues in our pets which in turn increases their dander levels.
Establish cat free zones.
Cats need a place to get away from it all as does the human with allergies. A stressed cat produces more allergens . A stressed human is more easily triggered. Having a cat free area or even a human free area is good for both. Where possible a sheltered catio is beneficial for both.
Air the home frequently.
Utilize the power of nature to sanitize your home. The Sun’s rays and or natural breeze is a great way to remove/ deactivate layers of dust. There is a reason why indoor air quality is usually worse then outdoor.
Don’t shave your cat.
A shorter coat allows dander to be shed everywhere. Instead leave your cat be. Have someone that is not allergic to the pet, properly brush them down once a week . Keep wet wipes handy so that there is less fly away, anti-allergen sprays/ wipes may also be used to pick up allergen causing dander.
Patience.
If all else fails , take comfort in knowing that generally older pets trigger less allergies .. fingers crossed, the phase will pass and you can enjoy your companion all over again.