There are lots of you humans out there who decide not to get yourselves a kittycat, dog or any other pet with the excuse of being allergic to us and saying that you just wouldn’t know what to do about it. But, humans, there’s an answer to every problem if you really, truly want to enjoy a good friendship between you folks and us, the most faithful friends you’ll ever have.
If you ask your family physician what to do about this type of allergies, your physician is most likely going to tell you to get rid of us; but if you ask a veterinarian, the vet will most likely take sides with us and provide you with some alternatives for overcoming your allergy to cats. Do as your vet says. You have no idea what you’re missing!
It’s not necessary for you to go through a painful separation or for you to make us suffer either. If you really love us, you’ll do everything in your power to make it possible for us to stay together. You must know that cat hair is not what causes allergies, although it is a part of the problem.
According to a study conducted by Cambridge University (U.K.), it’s the Fel d 1 protein found in our skin that’s responsible for the allergic reactions in humans. More specifically, this protein is found in the scales of dead skin (dander) on us and in our saliva. So, every time we groom ourselves, we impregnate our coat with this protein and thus cause the allergy.
This same study has also revealed a toxin in the environment as the culprit behind you humans experiencing a stronger immunological response to the presence of the Fel d 1 protein. If we’re lucky, this discovery will now be making it possible for some major headway to be made toward creating specific medications for combatting this type of allergies.
The symptoms you may have if you’re allergic to this very specific protein range from sneezing to eye irritation and inflammation of extremities to your asthma worsening, if you have asthma. All this can be avoided and reduced to a bare minimum if your carry out three basic measures:
- Keep your home clean at all times. If you have carpets/rugs at home, use rug/carpet cleaners and let the vacuum cleaner alone, since it may make the problem worse. Your bedding should be laundered every two weeks or more often, and you must prevent us from staying shut up inside your bedroom, which must be kept open, clean and well-aired as long as possible.
- Brush and bathe us once a week. But mind you now, this must always been done by someone who isn’t allergic to us. You can use anti-allergy products on our skin when bathing us provided that you purchase them from a pet supply store and your veterinarian is aware of the fact that you are using these products.
- Take medicines prescribed by your doctor for combatting the allergy. All antihistamines effectively ease any allergy symptom, but please bear in mind that these medicines cause drowsiness, at least when you first start taking them, so you must be careful when using them if you have to drive or must carry out any other activity for which you need to be fully alert.
Weigh the pros and cons, but I’m sure enjoying our companionship and friendship is bound to win out!
