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When your new love is allergic to cats: How to keep them both happy
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Reducing cat allergens can be easier than thought.
Cats are often quite content with being the only companion of their owner. They roam where they like, sit where they like and probably serve as a bedmate. Imagine their surprise and dejected state when suddenly their new owner has a new person coming around. Even moreso, the new person’s cat allergies force Fluffy to be locked in the bathroom for the duration of the new person’s stay.
Since there isn’t a cat-lovers-only dating Web site (that I know of), the tremendous crash of two worlds colliding can be even louder when the new significant other is allergic to cats. It is far-fetched to believe a cat lover would ever deign to relinquish their favorite pet in favor of a new love interest, so in order to keep all parties happy (especially the cat), here are some tips and tricks to help the allergic friend and the allergy-inducing friend co-exist.
Cat allergies are not, as most would assume, caused by the hair of the cat. The actual allergens are live in the saliva of the cat, which in turn is spread to its fur and skin. These allergens become dust-like when they dry, leaving them to crumble onto every surface imaginable. These dried particles then become airborne as they float through the air into our mouths, nose and onto our skin. So what can we do to keep these particles out of the air?
Invest in a top-notch HEPA air purifier.
In all reality, this is the best way to keep allergens out of the air. Purifiers range from $65 to $299. This might seem like too steep of an investment just to help your significant other avoid some itchy eyes and a scratchy throat, but think of it as an investment in your health as well. HEPA air purifiers eliminate 99.97 percent of harmful air particles, including pet dander, mold spores, harmful chemicals, dust and pollen. It is no secret that the quality of air in our world has decreased, especially for those who live in bigger cities. A HEPA air purifier might not only help the cat and the cat-allergee become copacetic, but also might help you feel better as well. Check out HEPA air purifiers here.
Change your furnace filter often and use a good filter.
Remembering to change your furnace filter is easy to slip the mind. However, in order to not only keep up the quality of air circulating throughout your home, keeping a clean filter also increases the performance of your furnace. Filters range from a couple of dollars to almost $10, however, it is a small investment in comparison with easy breathing and a fully-functioning furnace. An even bigger incentive: when your furnace has a clean furnace and does not have to overwork, the costs of your heating bill become more reasonable. Furnace filters should be changed every three months. For more information on filters, click here.
Use pet wipes to help eliminate the spread of dander.
Now that we’we've covered the more expensive methods, try some of these simpler steps. In conjunction with an air purifier and good filter up-keep, the next step is to tend to the kitty itself. Dander wipes are available at any pet store. Your cat might resist the forced bath, but the wipes help wipe off the loose skin particles and dander dust, as well as neutralize the existing ones.
Bathe your cat.
They will hate it and you. You might get a few scratches and puncture wounds, but bathing your cat will reduce allergens by 85 percent.
Clean.
Short and simple. Run the vacuum cleaner (if possible, use HEPA filters here too) and dust with high-quality dusting polish, and do it often. Keeping a clean house will not only make your home more hospitable to guests, but it will help eliminate harmful air particles. Make sure to vacuum your couch and chairs, and wash your curtains and bed coverings often.
Restrict your cat’s exposure to certain parts of the house.
It may be hard and you may feel guilty, but keeping your cat from certain areas where you spend a lot of time with your significant other. Eventually your cat will learn to live with the change, and your new beau or beau-ees will be pleased.
Follow these steps and it will be a test to see how strong the person’s allergies are to cats. However, the effort should not all be on your side. Encourage your friend to consult a doctor about allergy shots or medications.
If you are thinking about getting a cat, but have allergies yourself or someone in your home suffers from cat allergies, follow all the same steps. Additionally, consider short hair and female cats, as they have been shown to produce less dander. Also consider Siberians, Russian Blues, Ragdolls, Devon or Cornish Rex’s and Sphynx’s, as they also produce less allergens.
