Cat allergies are among the most common allergies in people: in the US, roughly 1 in 10 people are allergic to pets, and cat allergies are about twice as common as dog allergies. So what should you do if you’re torn between your love for animals and your health? Can people with allergies live with cats? How can you relieve cat allergy symptoms, and can you prevent them? We’ve looked into all these questions in this article.
Who Gets Cat Allergies?
A pet allergy can affect almost anyone at any age. But people who are allergic to pollen, dust mites or mold are more likely to be allergic to cats as well. Genetics also play a role: if you’re allergic to cats, your children may be more likely to have allergies too.
Risk Factors
People at higher risk include:
- those with a family history of allergies or asthma;
- people with other allergies, eczema or asthma;
- people living in areas with heavy air pollution.
What Causes a Cat Allergy?
Allergic reactions are caused by proteins, mainly Fel d 1 (and also Fel d 4 and others), found in a cat’s saliva, skin oils, urine and the secretions of its anal glands. When a cat grooms itself, it spreads these proteins over its fur. They’re carried on tiny flakes of skin (dander) and hairs that settle around the house and are then breathed in with household dust. Cat allergens are very light and sticky: they can stay in the air for a long time and cling to clothing, furniture and walls, so you can even react in a home without a cat. Scratches and bites can also trigger reactions.
See also: Cat breeds that shed the least.
Diagnosing a Cat Allergy
To make a diagnosis, a doctor (ideally an allergist) will ask about your medical history, so be ready to describe your symptoms in detail, how long they last and what you think triggers them. The doctor will then run tests to confirm whether it’s really an allergy and which allergen is responsible.
Diagnostic tests include:
- Skin prick test. A tiny amount of the suspected allergen is placed on the skin, usually on the forearm or back, and the skin is lightly pricked. Usually several allergens are tested at once. If you’re allergic, the spot becomes red, itchy and swollen within about 15–20 minutes.
- Blood test for antibodies (IgE) to cat allergens such as Fel d 1. This is used when skin testing isn’t possible. It’s considered safer, because it can’t cause an allergic reaction.
- Provocation (challenge) tests, in which a small amount of the allergen is applied to the nose or eyes under medical supervision. These are rarely needed.
Cat Allergy Symptoms
An allergic reaction to cats can show up in different ways, so it’s hard to diagnose based on symptoms alone.
Symptoms in Adults
Symptoms depend on how the allergen gets into your body.
Skin contact (picking up or petting a cat):
- hives;
- flaky skin;
- itching;
- redness where the cat scratched or bit you;
- redness and warmth of the skin.
Skin reactions often appear where you touched the cat, as well as on the face, neck and chest.
Allergens getting into the eyes:
- watery eyes;
- red, very itchy eyes;
- allergic conjunctivitis;
- blurry vision for a short time;
- swollen eyelids.
Allergens getting into the airways:
- a scratchy, irritated throat;
- a feeling of tightness in the chest;
- asthma symptoms (shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and wheezing);
- coughing.
Allergens getting into the nose:
- frequent sneezing;
- a stuffy nose;
- an itchy nose;
- difficulty breathing through the nose;
- a runny nose.
General symptoms:
- headache;
- tiredness and fatigue;
- trouble sleeping because of a stuffy nose;
- in some people, a low-grade feeling of being unwell.
Symptoms usually appear when you’re close to a cat or in a home where a cat lives, and they often get better when you’re away from cats.
Symptoms in Children
Cat allergies in children can be more intense than in adults. Just like in adults, symptoms depend on how the allergen enters the body. Allergies in children can show up as eczema (itchy, dry, red patches of skin), a constantly runny or stuffy nose, frequent “colds” that don’t go away, red, itchy eyes, coughing or wheezing.
Cat allergies are also an important trigger for childhood asthma. If your child has asthma symptoms around cats, talk to your pediatrician.
Interestingly, some research suggests that babies who grow up with a cat from birth may be less likely to develop allergies later, while for children who already have allergies, exposure can make symptoms worse. Your pediatrician or allergist can help you decide what’s right for your family.
Treatment
The first step in treatment is to avoid contact with the source of the allergy as much as possible. That’s the first thing doctors tell patients with cat allergies. If you’re not ready to part with your pet, we’ll explain below how to reduce its effect on you or your children.
Allergy Medications
Medical treatment may include the following types of medication (always use them on the advice of your doctor or pharmacist):
- Antihistamines (such as cetirizine, loratadine and fexofenadine). These relieve allergy symptoms like sneezing, itching and a runny nose. They come as tablets, liquids, eye drops and nasal sprays.
- Decongestants (such as pseudoephedrine or decongestant nasal sprays). These relieve a stuffy nose for a short time; nasal sprays shouldn’t be used for more than a few days.
- Mast cell stabilizers (such as cromolyn sodium nasal spray or eye drops). These help prevent the release of histamine and work best when used before contact with a cat.
- Corticosteroid nasal sprays (such as fluticasone, budesonide or mometasone). These are among the most effective treatments for nasal allergy symptoms and are available over the counter in the US and the UK.
- Leukotriene modifiers (such as montelukast). These prescription tablets may be used for allergies and asthma.
- Allergy shots (immunotherapy). A series of injections, given over several years, gradually makes your immune system less sensitive to cat allergens. This is the only treatment that can reduce the allergy itself over the long term.
If you suspect an allergy, see a doctor or allergist for an accurate diagnosis (to rule out conditions with similar symptoms) and the right treatment. Don’t self-diagnose or self-treat a serious allergy. Your doctor will choose the right treatment plan for you.
Prevention
If your doctor doesn’t completely rule out having a cat at home, follow these rules. They can greatly reduce allergy symptoms.
Living with a Cat When Someone Has Allergies
- Reduce other allergens in your home. Consider replacing carpets with hard floors, swapping heavy curtains for washable blinds and choosing leather or wooden furniture over upholstered pieces. Avoid air fresheners and scented candles, which can irritate airways.
- Keep the cat out of the bedroom. Don’t let it sleep on your bed or sofa. Give it its own spot and teach it to use its own bed.
- Clean regularly. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, damp-dust surfaces and wash curtains, throws and bedding often in hot water.
- Groom your cat carefully. Brushing (ideally done by someone without allergies, outdoors if possible) and wiping your cat with a damp cloth or pet wipes can help reduce allergens on its coat.
- Keep the litter box clean, and have someone without allergies scoop it if possible. Choose low-dust litter.
- Use allergen-proof covers for mattresses and pillows, and bedding that’s easy to wash.
- Run a good HEPA air purifier, especially in the bedroom.
- Air out your home regularly.
- Avoid touching your face after petting the cat, and wash your hands with soap and water every time you touch it.
- Ask your vet about allergen-reducing cat food. For example, Purina Pro Plan LiveClear contains an egg-based protein that neutralizes Fel d 1 in a cat’s saliva and has been shown to reduce allergens on the cat’s hair and dander over time.
- Take any allergy medication your doctor has prescribed.
Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds
The question every allergy sufferer asks is: are there hypoallergenic cat breeds? Many people believe hairless cats don’t cause allergies. That’s a myth! A cat without fur isn’t automatically hypoallergenic, because it’s the protein, not the hair, that causes allergies.
No cat breed is completely allergen-free. But some breeds are often reported to cause fewer allergy symptoms, either because they produce less Fel d 1 (as studies suggest for many Siberians) or because they shed less and spread less dander. These breeds include:
Keep in mind that allergen levels vary much more between individual cats than between breeds. Females and neutered males generally produce less Fel d 1 than intact males. If you have allergies, spend time with the specific cat you’re considering before you bring it home.
Read more about hypoallergenic cat breeds.
This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. If you think you have a cat allergy, see your doctor or an allergist.
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