Cedar Creek Veterinary Clinic

Most allergists will tell you that the most effective treatment (the only treatment) is to remove the cat from the home and to avoid further contact with cats. Although most allergists will strongly discourage pet ownership, there are ways to minimize exposure to pet allergens.

1. Keep cats out of the bedrooms. So many hours each day are spent in the bedroom sleeping, just keeping the cat out of this room will reduce exposure dramatically. Any visit by the cat leaves allergens behind, so the cat must stay out completely.

2. There is evidence that rinsing the cat weekly to monthly will reduce the amount of allergen given off in the house. Although no sprays or treatment of the hair have been conclusively proven to inactivate the allergen, products such as Allerpet-C seem to be effective for some allergy sufferers.

3. Have a non-allergic family member brush or comb your cat outside. This will help remove loose hair and allergens and keep down the amount of allergen in the house.

4. Have a non-allergic family member clean out the cat's litterbox. While it is thought that dander and saliva are the most allergenic, urine is also a source. Consider the use of a mask with a HEPA filter during exposure to high levels of allergen.

5. It does appear that Rex cats are the least allergy producing of the cat breeds. Other breeds may also be less allergenic. Allergen accumulates in areas such as carpeting, mattresses, cushions and vertical surfaces as well. You may want to consider encasing some items in plastic with zippers. It is best to buy furniture with fabric that is less pervious to allergens.

6. Vacuuming does not help with this allergy problem. Some of these allergen particles are so small they go right through the machine. The best solution is to have hardwood floors with scatter rugs that can be taken up and washed. It is also recommended to remove drapes as a source of reservoir for allergens.

7. Replace bedding and carpeting that has cat dander in it. This is because it can take weeks or months for fabrics to come clean of allergens. In some homes, cat allergen will persist for more than a year after the cat is gone. If it is not possible to remove carpeting, using a solution of tea (tannic acid) sprayed on carpeting and upholstery will help neutralize the feline allergen particles.

8. If your home is super-insulated, it may not help your allergies. Studies show that energy-saving homes keep allergens as well as heat in. Home air cleaners such as electrostatic air cleaners and HEPA filters may help to eliminate airborne cat allergens.

9. Medication may be of some help to allergic individuals. It is important to remember that medication will only reduce the symptoms of allergies or asthma and will not stop the progression of the disease process.

10. Studies have shown that immunotherapy will improve, but not totally eliminate symptoms. This treatment works best when the patient has only occasional contact with cats. This treatment is not usually considered until all the environmental control measures and medication have been used.