Cats & Mild allergies

"M.C. Mullen" <mcmullen RemoveThis @freesurf.invalid.ch> wrote in message
news:40827928$0$716$5402220f@news.sunrise.ch...
>
> "Jasper" <mcdowall14 RemoveThis @hotmail.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
> news:c5tfcs$1kj$1@titan.btinternet.com...
> | Hello. My three kids have been harping on for some time now for our
family
> | to bring a cat/kitten into our home.
> | I have no doubt that a kitten would be loved and looked after well in
our
> | household, my only concern is that two of my kids have a mild allergie
to
> | housedust mite and the animal hair. I know that there are many
> preparations
> | that can be obtained to assist in the keeping down of the mite and Hepa
> | filtered hoovers (dysen) can also be of help but I would be obliged for
> some
> | advice. Thanks in advance Jim McDowall
>
> My daughter is allergic, so we got our first cat 'on tryal' for a week. It
> all worked out well and she dearly loved the cat. It was even sleeping on
> her pillow. But she realised that it's better not to stick her nose into
the
> cat's coat. She says that long haired cats cause her to have asthma. So
> maybe you better look for a short haired cat?
> If the children are not too allergic to a kitten you actually do them a
> favour getting one: they can build up a resistance naturally.
>
> Carola
>
>
>
I was going to make that point as well, Carola.. Studies do suggest that
children exposed to cats at a young age will tend to develope their
resistance better.

I guess it depends on how allergic your kids are. I had three cats when my
(now) husband moved in with me. He had no problems whatsoever with
allergies.. but once we got the fourth cat, he had horrid allergies. The
fifth cat was actually his idea but he has to take an allergy pill every
day. He doesn't mind too much, but we've agreed no more cats than the five
we have. (If you want to look into allergy pills, check out Zyrtec. Hubby
was using allergra and was still wheezy, but is great on the zyrtec.)

Also, there are some cats (and I can't think of what breed) that are
naturally hypo-allergenic.

Mar
-------------------------------------
"Did you find the gun?"
"Yeah.. it was in Buffy's underwear drawer. She has nice things."
"Show me."
"Well, I didnt take 'em but there were thongs and regular underpants..."
"Show me then gun!"

-Andrew and The First
-Buffy the Vampire Slayer
 >> Stay informed about: Cats & Mild allergies 

On Sun, 18 Apr 2004 10:18:39 -0700, "MarAzul"
<cricket1303 RemoveThis @NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote:

>"M.C. Mullen" <mcmullen RemoveThis @freesurf.invalid.ch> wrote in message
>news:40827928$0$716$5402220f@news.sunrise.ch...
>>
>> "Jasper" <mcdowall14 RemoveThis @hotmail.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
>> news:c5tfcs$1kj$1@titan.btinternet.com...
>> | Hello. My three kids have been harping on for some time now for our
>family
>> | to bring a cat/kitten into our home.
>> | I have no doubt that a kitten would be loved and looked after well in
>our
>> | household, my only concern is that two of my kids have a mild allergie
>to
>> | housedust mite and the animal hair. I know that there are many
>> preparations
>> | that can be obtained to assist in the keeping down of the mite and Hepa
>> | filtered hoovers (dysen) can also be of help but I would be obliged for
>> some
>> | advice. Thanks in advance Jim McDowall
>>
>> My daughter is allergic, so we got our first cat 'on tryal' for a week. It
>> all worked out well and she dearly loved the cat. It was even sleeping on
>> her pillow. But she realised that it's better not to stick her nose into
>the
>> cat's coat. She says that long haired cats cause her to have asthma. So
>> maybe you better look for a short haired cat?
>> If the children are not too allergic to a kitten you actually do them a
>> favour getting one: they can build up a resistance naturally.
>>
>> Carola
>>
>>
>>
>I was going to make that point as well, Carola.. Studies do suggest that
>children exposed to cats at a young age will tend to develope their
>resistance better.
>
>I guess it depends on how allergic your kids are. I had three cats when my
>(now) husband moved in with me. He had no problems whatsoever with
>allergies.. but once we got the fourth cat, he had horrid allergies. The
>fifth cat was actually his idea but he has to take an allergy pill every
>day. He doesn't mind too much, but we've agreed no more cats than the five
>we have. (If you want to look into allergy pills, check out Zyrtec. Hubby
>was using allergra and was still wheezy, but is great on the zyrtec.)
>
>Also, there are some cats (and I can't think of what breed) that are
>naturally hypo-allergenic.
>
>Mar
>-------------------------------------
>"Did you find the gun?"
>"Yeah.. it was in Buffy's underwear drawer. She has nice things."
>"Show me."
>"Well, I didnt take 'em but there were thongs and regular underpants..."
>"Show me then gun!"
>
>-Andrew and The First
>-Buffy the Vampire Slayer
>

I have read that the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex cats tend to be
hypo-allergenic. They have very short hair and that may be the
reason. So maybe any domestic short hair might be the answer if you
don't want to spend the $s.
 >> Stay informed about: Cats & Mild allergies 

>I know that there are many preparations
>that can be obtained to assist in the keeping down of the mite and Hepa
>filtered hoovers (dysen) can also be of help but I would be obliged for some
>advice. Thanks in advance Jim McDowall

I had a boyfriend who was highly allergic to cats. This worked perfectly with
no medication. It will also get rid of her other allergies as well. If you get
rid of the cat and not the other allergens, what would be the point.

No rugs or carpeting, only hardwood floors, tile or linoleum. No drapes, fabric
furniture, only blinds, shutters, leather and wood furniture. Easy to wipe down
often to reduce dander and dust. You do the wiping and vaccuming for her.
You'll save time cleaning also.

You wash the cat once a month to reduce dander. Every day you wipe the cat with
a moist cloth to remove hair and dander. Kitty loves it.

Get an air purifier and keep the windows closed so dust, dander, pollen can't
come inside. Wipe surfaces down frequently for the same reason.

Don't ever let the cat in the bedroom. Don't let the cat sit where she sits all
the time such as the couch or her desk chair. Don't leave her sweater lying
around for them to sit on. Tell her to rinse her hands after touching the cat.

Check your house for other allergens. Is a sink leaking and you have mold and
mildew? I heard of a guy who euthanized his cat as he SWORE it was the cat. He
still had allergies...and extreme guilt. I'm allergic to cats also and this
works for me too. Just keep in mind she'll still have allergies outside of the
house as other people have cats and you can't stop dust and pollen.
 >> Stay informed about: Cats & Mild allergies 

"MarAzul" <cricket1303.DeleteThis@NOSPAMhotmail.com> dumped this in news:NLygc.12690
$dZ1.2630@fed1read04 on 18 Apr 2004:

> I had three cats when my
> (now) husband moved in with me. He had no problems whatsoever with
> allergies.. but once we got the fourth cat, he had horrid allergies.

I used to foster homeless cats while they found homes and I had this
gorgeous orange tabby with a huge tail, and rabbit-fine fur named Rudy and
he was the only cat who caused me to tear up, nose itch, sneeze, etc out of
all of the other cats I've ever been in contact with. Figures he was a
face snuggler, too. I was miserable when he was here. I think there are
certain fur types that cat saliva/dander adhere to, more than others and
make some people more hypersensitive than other cats/animals.

--
Cheryl
 >> Stay informed about: Cats & Mild allergies 

Many thanks to all for your advice & it looks like I will be getting a
kitten after extreme family pressure. Thanks again Jim
"Jasper" <mcdowall14.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c5tfcs$1kj$1@titan.btinternet.com...
> Hello. My three kids have been harping on for some time now for our family
> to bring a cat/kitten into our home.
> I have no doubt that a kitten would be loved and looked after well in our
> household, my only concern is that two of my kids have a mild allergie to
> housedust mite and the animal hair. I know that there are many
preparations
> that can be obtained to assist in the keeping down of the mite and Hepa
> filtered hoovers (dysen) can also be of help but I would be obliged for
some
> advice. Thanks in advance Jim McDowall
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Cats & Mild allergies 

Actually, it's not the hair that causes the allergy. It's the dander
usually that is the culprit. However, you will be happy to know that
allergy meds are not reccommended for short term use. The best way to get
rid of your allergies to your new pet is to stick it out, and deal with it.
You will build a resistance to THAT pet. Now, if you work in an area
(rescue center, animal shelter, or vet office) where you are constantly
around other pet dander and you or someone you live with is
allergic...allergy meds are probably a good idea. But I wouldn't take them
under the circumstance of an allergy to a new pet. No cats are 100%
hypoallergenic as is nothing 100% hypoallergenic (cept water). Your kids
immune systen will respond to new growth faster as they are younger and
their immune systems are still growing. They are used to being subjected to
a virus or infection, and responding to it, and building immunity from it.
Trust me, give it a month or so, and the new kitty will not be bothering
anyone, anywhere. Just for the time being keep him out of the kids
bedrooms. When I first got my horses, I was so sick I had a hard time
riding them for like a month, but after a while, my immune system responded
and built immunity to the dander on the horse. Also, anyone with the
allergies should not be on litter patrol for the first few months. They can
make up for it when they are over their allergies :)
"Jasper" <mcdowall14 DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c617l0$oi$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
> Many thanks to all for your advice & it looks like I will be getting a
> kitten after extreme family pressure. Thanks again Jim
> "Jasper" <mcdowall14 DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:c5tfcs$1kj$1@titan.btinternet.com...
> > Hello. My three kids have been harping on for some time now for our
family
> > to bring a cat/kitten into our home.
> > I have no doubt that a kitten would be loved and looked after well in
our
> > household, my only concern is that two of my kids have a mild allergie
to
> > housedust mite and the animal hair. I know that there are many
> preparations
> > that can be obtained to assist in the keeping down of the mite and Hepa
> > filtered hoovers (dysen) can also be of help but I would be obliged for
> some
> > advice. Thanks in advance Jim McDowall
> >
> >
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Cats & Mild allergies 

"Tina and Shane" <4kids2cats.TakeThisOut@charter.net> wrote in message
news:108avlpjokjaufc@corp.supernews.com...
> Actually, it's not the hair that causes the allergy. It's the dander
> usually that is the culprit. However, you will be happy to know that
> allergy meds are not reccommended for short term use. The best way to get
> rid of your allergies to your new pet is to stick it out, and deal with
it.
> You will build a resistance to THAT pet. Now, if you work in an area
> (rescue center, animal shelter, or vet office) where you are constantly
> around other pet dander and you or someone you live with is
> allergic...allergy meds are probably a good idea. But I wouldn't take
them
> under the circumstance of an allergy to a new pet. No cats are 100%
> hypoallergenic as is nothing 100% hypoallergenic (cept water). Your kids
> immune systen will respond to new growth faster as they are younger and
> their immune systems are still growing. They are used to being subjected
to
> a virus or infection, and responding to it, and building immunity from it.
> Trust me, give it a month or so, and the new kitty will not be bothering
> anyone, anywhere. Just for the time being keep him out of the kids
> bedrooms. When I first got my horses, I was so sick I had a hard time
> riding them for like a month, but after a while, my immune system
responded
> and built immunity to the dander on the horse. Also, anyone with the
> allergies should not be on litter patrol for the first few months. They
can
> make up for it when they are over their allergies :)
> "Jasper" <mcdowall14.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:c617l0$oi$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
> > Many thanks to all for your advice & it looks like I will be getting a
> > kitten after extreme family pressure. Thanks again Jim
> > "Jasper" <mcdowall14.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:c5tfcs$1kj$1@titan.btinternet.com...
> > > Hello. My three kids have been harping on for some time now for our
> family
> > > to bring a cat/kitten into our home.
> > > I have no doubt that a kitten would be loved and looked after well in
> our
> > > household, my only concern is that two of my kids have a mild allergie
> to
> > > housedust mite and the animal hair. I know that there are many
> > preparations
> > > that can be obtained to assist in the keeping down of the mite and
Hepa
> > > filtered hoovers (dysen) can also be of help but I would be obliged
for
> > some
> > > advice. Thanks in advance Jim McDowall

We also find that a air filter in the bedroom works well.. One of the air
purifiers that's it. And I bath mine in the Spring and in the Fall to get
rid of the extra fur and I brush mine alot. also.

It seems to help with my husband's allergies.. that and a lot of reactin.

Tina
 >> Stay informed about: Cats & Mild allergies