I'm severely allergic to cats, but I want a cat as a pet. Please help?

Question

I'm severely allergic to cats, but i want a cat as a pet. I'm a cat person there clean and they poop in a box. what kind of cat should i get

Answer 1

Get a hairless cat. And infact you are probably only allergic to the dander, I am too, and I have 2 cats one of which is a long haired cat. Just keep them clean, bathe them a few times a year or so and keep them brushed, I use this brush called the Furminator, its sorta costly, but it works so well it picks up all their loose hair and dander. Which means no sneezing for me. Try that and go to the dr and get some allergy medicine and you should have no problems with getting a cat. I recommend getting one from a shelter, amazing cats that just need love and a home. Good luck

Answer 2

This may seem crazy but ill do my best to try and help. I was severelyyyyy allergic to the same things as you. What i did wasn't the smartest idea but i got a dog and after about a month i got used to him and now i can have almost any animal. HOWEVER if you are very very allergic with no chance of becoming imune, have you ever looked into hairless dogs? Maybe that would help. Other than that the only other pet's that im sure you wouldnt be allergic to is something like a turtle which can also be a fun pet. Hope this helped!

Answer 3

If you are truly allergic, there may be no way to have a cat. While it is true that there are products you can use to reduce exposure to the dander and saliva, they don't work too well for most people. Allergy shots are your best bet. It takes time, money, and patience, but they work for many people.

Whatever you try, I suggest you try it with a borrowed cat first. See if you can catsit for a bit for someone, then, maybe arrange to watch a cat in your home for a couple weeks if interacting with a cat in someone else's home went well. As a cat lover, I'm sure you wouldn't want to take a cat into your home, have it get attached to you, then have to scramble to find it a new, possible substandard home if it turns out that your allergies are still too bad to make it work.

I really hope you do find a way to beat the allergies and have a cat. Just be patient with your efforts. Good luck.

Answer 4

My mother is allergic to everything, including cats, and we had a cat for about eight years. It was a common gray cat with back stripes; I found it at the beach when it was barely a week old. For the first couple of months, my mother looked as if her nose was about to fall off her face with her constant sneezing, but she liked the cat so much she endured the sickness. After that period, she adapted to the cat; she even let it sleep with her. In resume, if you really want a cat, go for it.

By the way, cat's hair has nothing to do with allergies. Their saliva and their skin oil is what drive allergic people crazy. The link below will take you to an article that explains it in detail:

http://www.catsinternational.org/articles/fun_and_useful_info/allergic_keep_your_cat.html

Answer 5

you should check with a local animal shelter and see the cats they have, some cats do come with out the fur. or you could talk to a doctor they may have a allergie med you could take so you are able to be around kitties. I would avoid a long haired cat like a mainecoon or persains, they have short hair tabbys, my friend is allergic to cats too but it doesnt bother her to be around my short haired cats and it would be good that if you get a cat with short hair to get one that does not shed much, just make sure you check with your doctor first.

A Sphynx is a hairless, though some may have very little hair you can notice making them feel like a peach when you pet them Then there is the Cornish Rex, they have extremly short hair and very soft coats, kinda look like ailen kitties but still cute.. those are the only ones i can think of right now Im kinda sleepy. Hope this helps, happy kittie hunting!

Answer 6

You can always get a hairless cat like the Sphinx or the Rex. or a short haired cat. I know they make a foam waterless shampoo for cats that you can wash them with that is supposed to help with the dander for people with allergies. My sister seems to only be allergic to male cats (I think it has something to do with their saliva or something) but female cats don't seem to affect her, male cats make her break out in a rash after holding or petting them.

Answer 7

Hi Lost, If you are severely allergic,There only one choice you can pick from.A hairless cat,I know they look funny,But why put yourself through an allergic attact.They would make a great companion for you. Think about it and decided.

Clowmy

Answer 8

We can't always have what we want. It's better not to get a cat and be severely allergic to it and then have to give it up. My daughter is allergic to cats but has four dogs and 3 kids and is great with all of them. Consider a dog that doesn't shed unless you are also allergic to dogs.

Answer 9

there are allergy shots that you can get every so often that might help control your allergies enough for you to have a cat as a pet! ask your dr about kenolog shots and other allergie medications! before getting a cat! i'am allergic to but only to certain kinds of cats like ones with long hair, i can tolorate short haired cats! but if my precious kitty gets up in my face she still makes me itch and sneeze. but i would not trade her for the world! and if you get one you have to make sure that you keep their sheded hair all vacumed up! that also helps to control the alleriges! Good LUCK!!!!!

Answer 10

You are not allergic to the cat itself. You are allergic to the dander in the cats hair and skin. seek short haird cats, once You fimd a cat that You want , take it to a groomer and have it bathed and brushed to remove loose hair and dander... then look into getting a product called " Allerpet C" it helps neutralize cats dander .