what kind of cat to get if you are allergic

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Cats make great pets, but if you're allergic to cats, keeping i is a bit more complicated. Allergies to cats are acquired by proteins in the cat'due south sloughed off skin cells, called dander, and its saliva. By maintaining an optimal surroundings that reduces your exposure to true cat dander and saliva, every bit well as taking measures to keep your allergies under control, you tin can proceed a cat successfully even if you're allergic to it.

1. 1

   Keep your true cat out of your bedroom. You likely spend at to the lowest degree a third of your twenty-four hours in your bedroom sleeping. By keeping your cat out of your room, y'all will greatly reduce your overall exposure to cat allergens. Keep the door to your sleeping accommodation shut when y'all are gone, and ensure that your true cat's toys and nutrient are located elsewhere in the firm.^[1]

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   Consider a HEPA filter. HEPA filters are high-powered air-particle filters that tin remove microscopic pet dander from the air. Place HEPA filters in the rooms you lot spend the nearly fourth dimension in at home, such every bit your sleeping room or home office, to reduce your exposure to allergens. Most HEPA filters are rated to clean a sure number of cubic feet (or meters). Aim to buy a HEPA filter the filtering chapters of which matches the size of your room.^[2]

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3. 3

   Alter out the filters in your HVAC system. If you accept key heat and air, you can utilise your HVAC organization to filter the air throughout your house. Buy air filters that take a high minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating. These filters will capture pet dander as well as other allergens such as pollen, molds, and dust mites.^[3]

   • Wait for filters with a MERV rating of 13 or college to capture more pollen.
   • Choose disposable filters and replace them every three months.

4. four

   Clean the house regularly. True cat hair, which is covered in allergenic saliva, and cat dander are shed in your house constantly. To keep your allergies under control, make clean your house at least one time a week to reduce the number of allergens in the environment. If possible, it is preferable to rent someone without allergies to clean your house, every bit sweeping and vacuuming tin grit allergens up into the air and aggravate allergy symptoms.^[iv]

   • If you allow your cat in your bed, launder your sheets in hot water twice a calendar week.
   • Certain vacuums, such as the Eureka Sanitaire True HEPA and the Sunpentown V8506 with HEPA, take HEPA filters, which can remove fifty-fifty more allergenic particles from the air. Information technology may be worth investing in ane if your allergies are severe.

5. 5

   Switch out carpets and drapes for allergy-friendly home furnishings. Cat dander is microscopic and can be difficult to describe out of rugs, drapes and upholstered surfaces fifty-fifty with regular cleaning. Wood, rock, and metal effects are all easier to make clean fully than fabric surfaces. By swapping rugs for hardwoods or tile, and choosing not-upholstered chairs, you can reduce the amount of pet dander in your home.^[five]

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1. 1

   Wash your hands after touching your cat. Your cat licks itself clean, which means its hair is covered in allergenic saliva. Later touching your cat, be sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water, scrubbing for at to the lowest degree 30 seconds. This is particularly important before yous touch your confront, which is especially sensitive to allergens.^[half-dozen]

2. 2

   Utilise a dander-reducing solution on your cat weekly. Certain dander-reducing solutions and shampoos, such equally Allerpet and Nature's Phenomenon Allergen Blocker, cleanse your cat and can remove some allergy-causing dander. Wet a small washcloth with the cleaner and wipe your cat's face and torso, going with the management of the fur rather than against it. While at that place is no definitive proof that these truly reduce the allergens coming from your pet, it may be worth trying if your allergies are more mild.^[vii]

3. iii

   Take OTC allergy medication regularly. Taking an allergy medication, such every bit Benadryl or Claritin, can reduce allergy symptoms. One to ii pills of Benadryl tin can be taken every 4-6 hours, and one pill of Claritin can be taken once daily. These medications cake your trunk's histamine reaction, which is what makes your eyes water and skin itchy in response to cat dander.^[eight]

   • If your allergies are severe, it may brand sense to have a consultation with an allergist to see if prescription allergy medication is right for you.

4. 4

   Consider allergy shots. If you lot have your centre attack having a cat despite your allergies, allergy shots can actually reduce how allergic you are to cats. These shots are fabricated from a serum of cat allergens and injected into the upper arm at incrementally increasing doses over a number of weeks until you reach a maintenance dose, which y'all tin can receive monthly. The shots increase your tolerance for true cat allergens, effectively reducing your symptoms. You will demand to exist tested for your allergy by an allergist, who will mix an injection serum specifically for you.^[9]

   • It oft takes upwardly to six months of regular injections for allergy shots to take effect. They as well work better for some people than for others.
   • Make an appointment with an allergist to hash out your options and if allergy shots are right for yous.

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Article Summary Ten

If you own a true cat and are allergic, take an over the counter antihistamine daily to reduce your symptoms. Be certain to follow the directions on the box, as Benadryl should but exist taken every 4-6 hours and Claritin tin can merely exist taken once daily. To lessen your exposure to cat dander, vacuum your house at least one time a week. Don't forget to launder your sheets with hot water twice a week if yous let your cat on the bed. For homes with primal air, alter out the filters in your HVAC system every 3 months, since these will be covered in pet dander, equally well as other allergens similar pollen, mold, and dust mites. When your cat licks itself, its allergenic saliva gets all over its hair, so be certain to wash your hands with soap and warm water afterwards touching your cat. This is especially important to do before y'all bear on your face, which is really sensitive to allergens. For more tips from our Veterinary co-writer, like how to combat your allergies with medicine, read on!

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