Question for a person with cat allergies..

Hi all,

Next weekend, my parents are coming up on saturday for my birthday.. then my mom's coming up again sunday to take me to see a broadway show.

We debated on her spending the night so she wouldn't have to commute 40 miles one way again the next day, but she's afraid she'd have an allergy attack with my cats and we wouldn't be able to see Mama Mia the next day. She usually can't stay more than an hour in my apartment without feeling some allergies.

I told her I'd clean and vacuum, pick up as much fur and dander as I could and change sheets, and prevent the cats from going in the bedroom. I also suggested her taking allergy medicine.

but she's still apprehensive. I'd like to have her spend the night were we can spend more time together.

Any suggestions that I haven't tried yet? (cleaning, meds, keeping cats from the bedroom?)

Yep, all the things you suggested. Clean, but don't clean at all on the days you expect her. You need to give the dander time to settle and not be airborne. Figure out where she may sit in the apartment and put a clean throw over it that the cats won't be on. Have her start taking meds the day before. I take Zyrtec. Yes also to keeping the cats out of the bedroom once you've cleaned in there.

Good luck!

thanks!

I will talk to her again when we get closer and let her decide.

Also, wipe the cats with distilled water. A lot of allergy sufferers say it really helps.

I second the Zyrtec recommendation! I use the Zyrtec- D that you have to ask for at the pharmacy. I find that one works better for me than some of the other ones. I have horrible allergies (especially to my cats, unfortunately) but the Zyrtec really helps when I'm having a bad day. That being said, I only take it when I absolutely need it.

Definitely clean the bedroom she'll stay in well, and keep the kitties out; this goes for the bathroom area she'll be using as well. Another thing that would be REALLY helpful would be to change out your air filters in your home to prevent the fur/dandruff you stir around when cleaning from re-circulating in your home. That's one of the most over-looked things when it comes to cleaning, but it came make the biggest difference! Also, if you have an air purifier, that should help too!

thanks you two!! I will be sending my mom your suggestions and see if it waives her thoughts. I'd love it if she spends the night!

There are more ideas here:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/living-with-cat-allergy

Yeah I third the taking allergy tablets. I take them every day, and vacuum every other day after I groom them both. I also keep my windows open I dunno if it helps though or whether I just think it does :lol3:

StarryEyedTiGeR said:

Also, if you have an air purifier, that should help too!

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After cleaning really well and making the spare bedroom out of bounds for cats, we usually run a small portable HEPA air purifier in the bedroom - we've got a Bionaire - in addition to the big built-in air purifier.

StarryEyedTiGeR said:

I second the Zyrtec recommendation! I use the Zyrtec- D that you have to ask for at the pharmacy. I find that one works better for me than some of the other ones. I have horrible allergies (especially to my cats, unfortunately) but the Zyrtec really helps when I'm having a bad day. That being said, I only take it when I absolutely need it.
Definitely clean the bedroom she'll stay in well, and keep the kitties out; this goes for the bathroom area she'll be using as well. Another thing that would be REALLY helpful would be to change out your air filters in your home to prevent the fur/dandruff you stir around when cleaning from re-circulating in your home. That's one of the most over-looked things when it comes to cleaning, but it came make the biggest difference! Also, if you have an air purifier, that should help too!

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I third the Zyrtec! LOL!  I also agree about cleaning, the day or night before she comes, to let things settle. Also a good wiping down of Monet & cassie w/ some kitty wipes should help.

I hope your mom stays, that will be fun, & Happy Birtday early!!!!!!!  

Angels mommy said:

I third the Zyrtec! LOL!  I also agree about cleaning, the day or night before she comes, to let things settle. Also a good wiping down of Monet & cassie w/ some kitty wipes should help.

I hope your mom stays, that will be fun, & Happy Birtday early!!!!!!!

 

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 So far these cats are going to get wiped with distilled water and kitty wipes.  There shouldn't be any sneezies left on them. LOL.  I hope you can find something that will work for mother to be able to stay.  I understand fully her problem as my husband is allergic to cats. 

I have seasonal allergies (obviously not the same thing, but) and I got a prescription eye drop and nose spray (Nasonex) from my doctor that works wonders! I put the eye drops in once a day, and Nasonex twice a day, and no allergies! But, also I find that Reactine (I think they have it in the US, too) helps a lot! My mum suffers from cat allergies, too, and she does find it hard living with two cats. :lol3: She is on a prescription medication for it though.

Spoke to my mom again, and she brought up the fact severe allergies trigger her asthma and she's afraid of that.

Makes me sad, but I do understand her point. I'd probably be scared too!

Actually, kitty wipes will make it worse. The allergens are mainly in cats' saliva, and wiping them with something that smells foreign to them will only make them lick themselves more.

That's why others have suggested distilled water. It doesn't smell foreign to the kitties, so they don't end up licking themselves all over again. :nod:

speakhandsforme said:

Actually, kitty wipes will make it worse. The allergens are mainly in cats' saliva, and wiping them with something that smells foreign to them will only make them lick themselves more.
That's why others have suggested distilled water. It doesn't smell foreign to the kitties, so they don't end up licking themselves all over again.

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 Ooooooh, yea, good point.

I have to 4th or 5th the Zyrtec.  I suffer from cat allergies and that has been a savior for me.  I only take it at night because it does make me drowsy. 

I am so jealous!  Have a great time at Mama Mia!  I have always wanted to see that as well as The Lion King.