Advice - Cats and allergies

Well long standing posters recall that when I rescued my Pearl from the
coyotes I was very allergic to cats.This produced a terrible problem for
me because the coyotes are so numerous where I live Pearl has to be a
permanent indoors cat.I lived on allergy pills for months but I guess love
conquers all because gradually my allergies got better. Now I don't use
the pills and can do most things with my Pearl that most cat lovers do
except get her right up by my face.I do still have to wash my hands right
after handling her and I never let her in my bedroom.I have two antique
settees in my livingroom that she immediately decided to claw--someone
here told me about "soft paws" which are sold at pet stores.You glue them
on[various colors]and they protect your furniture.Personally I beat the
hell out of her with a newspaper and she stopped doing it. If I catch her
scratching other stuff she shouldn't I make a"shuuushing" sound and she
stops.She understands everything I say now. DEW
 >> Stay informed about: Advice - Cats and allergies 

www.SoftPaws.com
If you use Google Groups then an ad for this automatically shows up on
threads like this.
 >> Stay informed about: Advice - Cats and allergies 

It was a member of this group that was kind enough to tell me about "Soft
Paws". So what's your point?
 >> Stay informed about: Advice - Cats and allergies 

In article <1118876532.908983.10900.DeleteThis@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
"Zoohouse" <JoelMontes01.DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello everyone,
>
> I am new to the world of cats as pets as you will soon see. I am
> currently giving serious thought to the idea of owning a cat. Since I
> don't have much experience with cats - and don't really know anyone
> who owns one - I am turning to this news group for advice.
>
> First problem is that my girlfriend is allergic to animals such as dogs
> and cats. She currently has a Maltese which doesn't have the dandruff
> that causes her allergies. Is there a breed of cat that, just as the
> Maltese, doesn't affect people with allergies? NOTE: My girlfriend
> doesn't live with me but does visit my house often.
>
> Second problem is that my mom has a new pair of leather sofas. I advice
> on how to keep a cat from tearing up my moms sofas.

You need to train the cat to keep her claws away from the furniture. I
can't give you specific tips, but I am sure others in this newsgroup
can.

As far as getting a cat that your girlfriend can tolerate, you already
have the answer to that question. It seems obvious, at least to me, that
if your girlfriend doesn't react badly to her Maltese, then get a
Maltese for yourself. Trouble is, Maltese cats tend to be expensive.
 >> Stay informed about: Advice - Cats and allergies 

I didn't know there were Maltese cats... Ill look into it.
 >> Stay informed about: Advice - Cats and allergies 

I did hear about breeding of non-allergenic cats, but they cost $800 each
and come pre-spayed or neutered so they cannot be bred. Hairless cats are
less allergenic. Short-haired cats are less allergenic than others. I
wouldn't advise getting a cat if your girl-friend is allergic and can't take
it since the cat would probably wind up in a shelter and possibly end up
euthanised. When my hubby's family comes over (2 are allergic to my 3 cats)
we vacuum a lot, and keep the windows open. They can usually take it for a
couple hours that way, but I have a long-haired cat too.
To keep a cat from scratching up the furniture, buy or build a scratching
post (a two-by-four and a piece of remnant carpet).

"Zoohouse" <JoelMontes01 RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1118876532.908983.10900@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Hello everyone,
>
> I am new to the world of cats as pets as you will soon see. I am
> currently giving serious thought to the idea of owning a cat. Since I
> don't have much experience with cats - and don't really know anyone
> who owns one - I am turning to this news group for advice.
>
> First problem is that my girlfriend is allergic to animals such as dogs
> and cats. She currently has a Maltese which doesn't have the dandruff
> that causes her allergies. Is there a breed of cat that, just as the
> Maltese, doesn't affect people with allergies? NOTE: My girlfriend
> doesn't live with me but does visit my house often.
>
> Second problem is that my mom has a new pair of leather sofas. I advice
> on how to keep a cat from tearing up my moms sofas.
>
> Thank you for any advice.
>
 >> Stay informed about: Advice - Cats and allergies 

Dr.Carla,DVM wrote:
> I did hear about breeding of non-allergenic cats, but they cost $800 each
> and come pre-spayed or neutered so they cannot be bred. Hairless cats are
> less allergenic. Short-haired cats are less allergenic than others. I
> wouldn't advise getting a cat if your girl-friend is allergic and can't take
> it since the cat would probably wind up in a shelter and possibly end up
> euthanised. When my hubby's family comes over (2 are allergic to my 3 cats)
> we vacuum a lot, and keep the windows open. They can usually take it for a
> couple hours that way, but I have a long-haired cat too.
> To keep a cat from scratching up the furniture, buy or build a scratching
> post (a two-by-four and a piece of remnant carpet).
>
> "Zoohouse" <JoelMontes01 DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1118876532.908983.10900@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> > Hello everyone,
> >
> > I am new to the world of cats as pets as you will soon see. I am
> > currently giving serious thought to the idea of owning a cat. Since I
> > don't have much experience with cats - and don't really know anyone
> > who owns one - I am turning to this news group for advice.
> >
> > First problem is that my girlfriend is allergic to animals such as dogs
> > and cats. She currently has a Maltese which doesn't have the dandruff
> > that causes her allergies. Is there a breed of cat that, just as the
> > Maltese, doesn't affect people with allergies? NOTE: My girlfriend
> > doesn't live with me but does visit my house often.
> >
> > Second problem is that my mom has a new pair of leather sofas. I advice
> > on how to keep a cat from tearing up my moms sofas.
> >
> > Thank you for any advice.
> >

Woo... Thats alot of money for a cat..
 >> Stay informed about: Advice - Cats and allergies 

You could also try the Devon Rex breed, they are potentially a suitably
cat. Not all people with allergies to cats can expect the Devon Rex to
be a solution but it is worth a try. Their hair is more like a sheeps
wool than a regular cats fur coat so they don't lose so much hair and
spread the dandra that people are allergic to.

....of course you should probably visit a breeder and see what sort of
reaction your girlfriend has before getting one.

Troy.

Zoohouse wrote:
> Dr.Carla,DVM wrote:
> > I did hear about breeding of non-allergenic cats, but they cost $800 each
> > and come pre-spayed or neutered so they cannot be bred. Hairless cats are
> > less allergenic. Short-haired cats are less allergenic than others. I
> > wouldn't advise getting a cat if your girl-friend is allergic and can't take
> > it since the cat would probably wind up in a shelter and possibly end up
> > euthanised. When my hubby's family comes over (2 are allergic to my 3 cats)
> > we vacuum a lot, and keep the windows open. They can usually take it for a
> > couple hours that way, but I have a long-haired cat too.
> > To keep a cat from scratching up the furniture, buy or build a scratching
> > post (a two-by-four and a piece of remnant carpet).
> >
> > "Zoohouse" <JoelMontes01 DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:1118876532.908983.10900@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> > > Hello everyone,
> > >
> > > I am new to the world of cats as pets as you will soon see. I am
> > > currently giving serious thought to the idea of owning a cat. Since I
> > > don't have much experience with cats - and don't really know anyone
> > > who owns one - I am turning to this news group for advice.
> > >
> > > First problem is that my girlfriend is allergic to animals such as dogs
> > > and cats. She currently has a Maltese which doesn't have the dandruff
> > > that causes her allergies. Is there a breed of cat that, just as the
> > > Maltese, doesn't affect people with allergies? NOTE: My girlfriend
> > > doesn't live with me but does visit my house often.
> > >
> > > Second problem is that my mom has a new pair of leather sofas. I advice
> > > on how to keep a cat from tearing up my moms sofas.
> > >
> > > Thank you for any advice.
> > >
>
> Woo... Thats alot of money for a cat..
 >> Stay informed about: Advice - Cats and allergies