by mockingster

Created on: January 19, 2009

How would you know if you or a member of your family is allergic to cats? Well to be on the safe side it is better if you expose that member of the family who you may think has an allergy to cats before you actually bring home a cat as a pet. You can thereby figure out if this family member is allergic to either the dead skin dust or cat hair. Each member of the family should come into contact with the cat, that is, stroke the cat to make sure that an allergic reaction is not triggered before the cat can be brought home.

It is often thought that the colour of the cat's coat may have an effect on individuals who may be allergic to them. Some research has shown that whether a cat was kept in the bedroom or out of the bedroom had no allergic reactions to the owner. But it was also found that those very people who kept a relatively darked haired cat were 75 percent more likely to have allergic symptoms than those with a light haired cat. The reason for this is not known but it is assumed that it has something to do with the thickness or the composition of the hair.

Therefore you might ask the question is it advisable for your cat to be allowed into your bedroom?
The answer is no. Cats are generally nocturnal therefore you might find a cat grooming while you are trying to get some sleep, this may cause more loose hairs to go out and spread around and subsequently breathed in by you.
This can lead to allergic reactions and poor sleeping patterns.

I remember when I was young and I had this persistent cough for over one month. When my mother took me to the doctor to get my cough treated, my doctor told my mother, "if you love your child" get rid off your cats I think we must have had close upon six cats at that time. Well I was thoroughly depressed. Well the cats never went all I did was I faithfully promised to follow a few simple things and everything was alright. I had the habit of always kissing the cats and always being around them. So what I did was till my cough completely went away I never played or kissed the cats till then. To this date 30 years later, when I still handle a cat too much my throat starts irritating. But since I love cats very much and they are a part of my life I have learnt to live with it.

What I suggest therefore to help prevent being allergic to cats are do not allow your cat to sleep on your bed and do not allow them into your bedroom, see that you wash your hands immediately after petting the cat, if you can wash your cat it might be a good idea, as this can reduce the amount of cat allergen released in to the air,
vacuum clean thoroughly regularly, try confining your cat to only one part of the house, wash all your bedding in warm water or hot water twice a month.

Learn more about this author, mockingster.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.