Cat allergies?

Question

I'm going to get a cat everyone in my family wants one except there is one problem. My dad has cat allergies. When he was in colladge he got bit by a cat and was put in the hospital for a week. 3 years ago he got a scratch test when they did cat he got a medium sized red bump. My question is, can I still get a cat without hurting my dad? Also is he only alergic to the spit and not the fur? Because when the cat bit him he got a reaction and the scratch test used spit.

Answer 1

well to begin with I havent heard of a allergy test that tests cat saliva- usually they test pet dander or pet hair. But if your dad is in anyway allergic to cats he should talk to his doctor about an allergy pill and if his doctor advises against it then sorry- dont get a cat!

Answer 2

If you live in the same house with your dad then you should wait. He may only be allergic to the cats spit, but they use their spit to wash with so depending on how sensitive he is just brushing against the cat could cause a reaction.
When you are out on your own, then get a cat. Your father's health is more important than something you can have later.

Answer 3

I do have a suggestion: check out the Devon Rex, a breed of cat that is basically hypo-alergenic! Not only that, they're the best cats ever. They're super, insanely cute, extremely intellegent & playful, and very much into human companionship. I have 2 of them, and they play fetch & follow us around the house. AND THEY ARE MIND-BLOWINGLY CUTE! They're beyond cute. The difference is their fur. The fur is very short and curly (that's what the "rex" means) and they don't shed much.
I have found that if someone is extremely alergic, then they will probably have a reaction to Devon Rexs. If someone is more mildly alergic, then they should have no problem with them.
The one problem: they're fairly rare & expensive & not so easy to find. I found a breeder outside of LA, where I bought mine. It may take some research. Also, they ain't cheap. And if you wanted to like get a kitty from the pound (which is a GREAT THING) then you ain't gonna find any Devon's in no pound. But we got them because my girlfriend is alergeric to most cats, but we found she has not problem with them.
Go to Google Images and type in Devon Rex, see what I mean!

Answer 4

Cat bites and cat scratches are very infectious. I heard of a woman that needed to get her finger amputated because the cat bite infected her finger so badly. If he's fine with cats otherwise if they don't bite or scratch he should be fine.
Perhaps it be best to get your cat declawed (I'm not a fan of that though) and as a kitten it will try to nip and scratch but it'll grow out of that.
A bite and a scratch can definitely hurt someone. My brother is a nurse and has seen it happen oh too often, hense why he doesn't like cats cause he knows the damage they can do. It's really how sharp their claws are and how deep they can go with all the bacteria. That's not allergies, that's just infections.

Answer 5

There's a simple solution to your problem, get either a Rex or a Cornish Rex cat. The Rex is the same as the cat in Austin Powers (Mr Biggelsworth with no hair). And the Cornish Rex has very short, velvety hair that looks like someone has gone at it with a crimping iron. They are bred specifically for people who are allergic to cats, they are the allergy free choice. The last cat I had who died a few months back was a Cornish Rex, I loved his temperment so much that I went and bought another one, they make great companions. They are very affectionate, have to be kept indoors (they have no road sense, and don't fair well in the cold weather), play fetch and they are very tolerant of children as well. They make absolute nightmare kittens though, so much energy and they are very smart. I wouldn't purchase one less then six months of age.

Answer 6

I am allergic to cats and if I don't have my prescription I am miserable and sometimes they don't always work, and they are expensive.
I have two cats and they are like kids to me so I would never give them up now but if you don't have a cat yet and your dad is allergic I would not get a cat. Save him the misery. Itchy sore eyes and sneezing, trouble breathing, skin rashes, etc. it's not fun.
Not only that but just because your not around the cat doesn't mean he will be fine, cat's shed. Don't put your dad through that.
Pass on the cat.

Answer 7

This is a question for an allergist to answer. What does his allergist say about his allergy to cats? How severe is the allergy? Will having a cat in the house cause him problems? If so, it is best not to have a cat in the house, because severe allergies are life-threatening.

Answer 8

Did you that that it is not the fur people are allergic to? It's the dander, which includes the dried saliva from kitty bath-time. I'd say if you love your dad, you will wait to get a cat until you move out of the house.

Answer 9

if you get a cat your dad will suffer. when someone is allergic to cats it is their dander they are allergic to. dander gets on the cats fur from when they are grooming themselves. so your dad would have to live with runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing and any other allergy symptoms... shouldn't put him in the hospital though, any one who gets bit by a cat can wind up in the hospital if the wound isnt' cleaned properly and put on antibiotics.

Answer 10

NO WAY IN HELL. I'm allergic and trust me when i say you will make your dad's life hell on earth. Consider a dog, but say away from cats. Dad is more important.