We want to get a family cat, but I know that my 6 yr. old swells up in hives whenever he pets a dog. Will cats make him sick too or are they different allergies?
2007-04-06 14:41:32 · 13 answers · asked by Jetstream 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Allergies
No.
2007-04-06 14:51:17 · answer #1 · answered by certifiedcrunk619 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You see cat and dog hair differ completely. Dog fur has bacteria cats can't have and viec versa. The reason for dogs is because dogs usually roll around more than cats and cats have tongues that they use to clean their body combined with the germs and bacteria in their mouth they spread on their body. Which is why you should bathe both of them often to avoid their bacteria levels from rising too high too soon. The allergies are diffrent from each other in other words. Smart move by the way with the cat because I have had several cats and dogs over the years and my hermana was allergic to some dogs but none of the cats. Fyi hermana is spanish for sister. I hope you get a nice cat.
2007-04-06 17:42:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people who are allergic to dogs are also allergic to cats, but not necessarily the other way around, for some reason. Cats seem to produce more dander than dogs, so they tend to cause more problems than dogs. So it is probable that your son will also be allergic to cats. However, this is not 100%. He could get tested by an allergist, or you could just let him pet a cat, though if he has a reaction that could be uncomfortable. I would also be a little worried he might have a worse reaction than he does to dogs, so I would rather you have him tested by an allergist. Good luck!
2007-04-06 16:09:06 · answer #3 · answered by Tumtum 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm allergic to animal hair. Dogs and cats both affect me, but my family always had dogs around, and my allergies weren't that bad most of the time. Horses, I can't even be near, but for some odd reason, cows don't bother me much. Crazy. It will take time to find out what bothers your son and how badly. Some allergies he may eventually grow out of or build up a resistance to.
2007-04-06 14:50:36 · answer #4 · answered by Nc Jay 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go visit someone with a cat and let him play and pet the cat for a while. That is how I found out both of my boys were very allergic to cats.
2007-04-07 11:39:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats are a different allergy. But you may want to get your son tested before you get the cat: That way you won't get attached to a kitty then find out you have to get rid of it.
Good luck!
2007-04-06 17:03:07 · answer #6 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's the dander on cats that makes people allergic. That is their dead skin that they loose. I'm not sure why people are allergic to dogs, but I know many are. If you are allergic to one that doesn't mean you are allergic to the other.
2007-04-06 17:51:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if he has an allergy problem any kind of pets are dangerous because is not even the hair is something a king of oil in their skin that makes the allergies, asthmas
2007-04-06 17:43:26 · answer #8 · answered by dulce_boricua_pr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not nessicarily. But if I were you I would take him to an allergist before you do anything. They can test him for allergies to all sorts of things, then you will know if he is and to what degree.
2007-04-07 04:29:52 · answer #9 · answered by kiratess 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would bring him to a house to visit that has cats first
2007-04-06 14:51:25 · answer #10 · answered by shanma 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He could be, but not necessarily. Visit someone with a cat, and see what happens.
Good Luck!
2007-04-07 07:37:53 · answer #11 · answered by . 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋