Bah Hum Bug!

marge

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 27, 2003
Messages
2,428
Purraise
1
Bah humbug! I can see how someone could go from a nice guy to Bah Hum bug like ol Ebinezer did. I mean things can get to you!

I am SO jealous of ya'll. I have posted here a few times, I had adopted two adorable wonderful kitties. Well, I had to give them to someone else (it does have a happy ending, she is thrilled with them too) cause my allergies to them were getting worse and worse. I mean I was seriously ill. I miss them terribly though! Ughhhh...

So as i said, I feel very "Bah Humbug" this holiday season.
 

slipstream

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Mar 16, 2003
Messages
133
Purraise
2
Location
Canada
Aww that's too bad you lost your kitties.

People with allergies can still live with cats if you take the right steps.

- Get only 1 cat to start
- Make sure you get a shorthair cat or shave it

- you have to vaccum and do landry more often

I unno? My girlfriend also was allergic but she got used to the cats?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

marge

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 27, 2003
Messages
2,428
Purraise
1
I am going to try again, this time it was just too overwhelming and since I had no reaction to a light haired cat in recent history then I am thinking I have a dark haired cat allergy (I have done some research and there is strong evidence about the difference)
 

hopehacker

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jul 6, 2003
Messages
8,147
Purraise
4
Location
Los Angeles,CA
Why not try a Bengal. They don't shed the same as other cats, at least mine doesn't, and his fur is totally different in texture from most cats. I've also heard there are allergy pills you can take to get rid of allergic symptoms.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

marge

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 27, 2003
Messages
2,428
Purraise
1
That sounds good, i will keep my eyes open for that!
 

creepyowl

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Sep 21, 2003
Messages
1,192
Purraise
3
Location
London, Ontario, Canada
Try a furless cat. They look kind of creepy but I'm sure they are just like other cats. Just gotta put the sunscreen on them when they want to bask in the sunshine!
 

auroraviva

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 10, 2003
Messages
2,136
Purraise
1
Location
Georgia
You may want to look into getting a Siberian, too. They are long-haired cats, but they are "hypo-allergenic." No joke. Here's something I found in a website talking about it:

***
A Hypo-Allergenic Cat?
The "Cat Allergen" is called FEL D1. The primary sources of FEL D1 are (1) secretions from the glands of the skin and (2) what is left on the fur from the saliva when the cats clean themselves. Eventually these allergens flake off and become airborne, triggering allergic reactions.

The Siberian Cat produces a REDUCED LEVEL of FEL D1, due to a protein sequence missing from their DNA. Only pure-bred Siberians will have this genetic advantage, so choose your Siberian Breeder carefully if the hypo-allergenic trait is one of the benefits of interest to you!

It is important to note that the DEGREE to which individuals react or don't react to a Siberian can vary from cat to cat, and color to color. Therefore, if your allergies are moderate to severe, you should choose a local breeder and test your allergies with the kitten you will be bringing home with you.
from http://catsrus.us/info.htm
***

Hope that helps!!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

marge

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 27, 2003
Messages
2,428
Purraise
1
I have never heard of Siberian, will look into it!
 

woodsygirl

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Oct 29, 2003
Messages
200
Purraise
1
Location
Gambrills, Maryland
My husband is allergic to cats... and we have two.. hehe. He is actually more allergic to Mabel, whom has light hair than Mynx who is black. I think it really depends on the cats themselves... some are just more dandruffy than others.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11

marge

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 27, 2003
Messages
2,428
Purraise
1
Yeah I think it depends on the cats and the person. I mean I am ALLERGIC to some cats, to where I am not functional if exposed to them for long periods. I still have a problem here and there when I put ona jacket they used to sleep on, my eyes just swell up.

I can deal with a sniffle here and there. But this was overwhelming. I do feel cautiously optimistic that I might be able to do well with lighter hair cats though.
 

katl8e

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jan 21, 2002
Messages
12,622
Purraise
3
Location
Movin' on up!
I've read that people have good results with Maine Coons, too. They don't seen to be as allergenic as other cats.
 

hermoine

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
May 27, 2003
Messages
422
Purraise
1
Location
Missouri
What about the Spinhx (sp?) Isn't it hairless? I think they are better aren't they for people with allergies.

Chin up
Just try before buying.
 

mzjazz2u

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 6, 2003
Messages
10,133
Purraise
4
Location
The Beehave State!
Here is some information on "hypoallergenic cats." There really is no such thing but some produce less allergens then others. There is a list of breeds at the bottom. http://www.airborne-allergens.com/h...-
allergies.php3

Pet Allergies: Four-Legged and Feathered Friends

Conflicting information about pet allergies generates a great deal of confusion among animal lovers. Perhaps because of our love for our furry friends, many myths have been generated about pet dander, hypoallergenic dogs and hypoallergenic cats.

Often people don't want to hear the most basic fact about pet allergens: the best way to avoid the allergy is to remove the allergen from the household. If you can't bear to part with your furry friend, however, you can employ several methods to minimize the allergic symptoms.

Pet Dander, Urine and Saliva

A commonly held belief is that people with animal allergies are allergic to fur or feathers. This isn't usually true. Instead, oil secretions in the animalâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s skin accounts for most cat and dog allergies. The oil is transferred to your environment (and your respiratory passages) by dander, or dead skin that flakes off your pet's body. If you'd like a more detailed explanation of pet dander, check out Pets in the News.

Allergy-Preventing Pets?
There may be no such thing as hypoallergenic dogs, but recent research suggests that living with animals as children may actually protect against pet allergies: at least for the first six years of life. Studies indicate that children who live with pets from birth on may develop less severe allergies than children who are isolated from animals in their early years. The theory requires more research, but indicates that exposure to pets isn't necessarily a bad thing!
Other people are allergic to animal saliva. The dog or cat cleans itself, and saliva proteins stick to its skin and fur. This explains, in part, why cat allergies are more common than dog allergies: cats groom themselves more frequently than dogs. Cats also tend to be held more than dogs, and their smaller size means they're typically kept in the house more often. Animal urine also contains allergy-causing proteins. As the urine dries, particles become airborne, and can travel throughout the house.

Hypoallergenic Dogs,
Hypoallergenic Cats

Because most people aren't actually allergic to animal fur, claims that shorthaired breeds cause fewer allergies aren't really true. Fur length has nothing to do with the amount of dander an animal sheds. Different animals shed at different rates. If you suffer from dog or cat allergies, but are planning on bringing a pet into your home, try to spend some time with the individual animal first. Certainly determine how your allergies react to the pet before you bring it home.

Shorthaired breeds may cause less severe allergic reactions than longhaired breeds if you react solely to animal saliva, but reactions vary from one individual to another. Lists of breeds commonly considered to cause the fewest or mildest allergies are given below:

"Hypoallergenic" Cats

Balinese
Cornish Rex
Devon Rex
Javanese
Oriental Shorthair
Peterbald
(aka Oriental Hairless)
Siamese
Sphinx



"Hypoallergenic" Dogs

Poodle
Italian Greyhound
Whippet
Basenji
Mexican Hairless
 
Top