I've known him for a long time and really like him. I have 2 cats - he's very allergic. Has anyone else had this problem? What did you do about it?
(I will absolutely not ever get rid of my cats.)
2007-09-25 06:30:22 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Make sure you do your part and keep the cats well groomed and out of the area he is in.
Make sure to sweep and/or vacuum regularly.
Buy a hepa-filter, like an ionic-breeze. This actually helps the most by taking most of the dander out of the air.
You could also suggest that he talk with his doctor about options.
My last BF had a cat & dog, and I was very allergic. I ended up with athsma (at 30) and we eventually split, but not because of the animals.
2007-09-25 06:42:36 · answer #1 · answered by tobelove75 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can ask him if he's willing to come for a test visit to see if yours are among the few cats he might tolerate. That can happen.
If he's allergic to your cats, you'll know soon enough. His eyes might swell shut. He may have trouble breathing. If he is allergic, don't plan on spending much time, if any inside your place. No matter how fastidious a house cleaner you are, you cannot get rid of all the danders that will cause him problems. If you do anything at your place, it may have to be out of doors or out on the porch.
If you do get serious, he cannot move into your place. You would have to move into his or a new place, and you'd have to figure a way to keep the cats where they'd have NO ACCESS to the bedroom, living room, dining room and kitchen.
If you try to force him to be exposed to cats while he's highly allergic, you'll harm his health.
Tell him about using self hypnosis or some similar kind of mind control to get his cat allergy under control. It can help. It did for me.
2007-09-25 13:42:31 · answer #2 · answered by Nedra E 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am allergic to some cats and not others, some dogs and not others, some rabbits and not others. Part of it is the type of hair they have.
But the bigger problem is how people take care of their pets. I have walked into some homes that had cats that were well kept and the home was clean. Not a big problem for me. But some people don't take care of their pets or their house or themselves. That is a concern for me.
Just don't let the issues and problems come between your relationship, you will both just have to talk about the apparent problem and come to an understanding. I personally would not want to be around an environment or pet that affects my health, there are alternatives. I won't get rid of my pets either, but my pets don't bother my allergies.
2007-09-25 13:49:20 · answer #3 · answered by RT 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a cat and was severely allergic to it, one time my cat had kittens and just by me holding them and getting them around my face (they were so cute, who could resist) the next morning my eyes were swollen and I had to get a shot of benadryl. If this is the case with your guy then it's not fair to him to put him through that. For example, I could take benadryl, sudafed, anything and it doesn't help I still have an allergic attack where I can't breath. If i walk into a house, that has had a cat it doesn't matter if the house has been cleaned, or if the cat isn't present it makes me sick. So decide how serious the allergy is, and let him decide what he wants to do.
2007-09-25 13:39:45 · answer #4 · answered by crymeariver 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you talked with him about it since you say you have known him for a long time? What has he said about it?
It's not really a problem unless he says to get rid of your cats and refuses to take allergy meds. The answer to that is to get rid of HIM, not your kids.
Speaking from the other side (I'm a bit allergic to dander and my mom is very allergic), I have always kept my cats. I have Allergy-Induced Asthma. When I got married, my husband had a cat. I have two cats now. There are meds I take to help with the allergies and my asthma.
2007-09-25 13:38:49 · answer #5 · answered by Tara662 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
make sure you put the cats in the other room when he comes over, and spray allregen reducers like febreeze or something along those lines, before he comes over. Have eye drops at your house or in your purse. It is his allergies, and he should know what to do before he comes over, beings he is aware of being allergic to cats. He can take some allergy med. Not an uncommon problem at all. and No absolutely don't get rid of your cats!!!!
2007-09-25 13:37:16 · answer #6 · answered by Maalru3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well then, you don't have many choices except---find another b/f who isn't allergic to cats. Has he tried taking some of the over the counter allergy meds like Benedryl, Claritin, etc.? These may work for him, and they may not, but he won't know unless he tries them. Other than this, I suggest you keep on looking around for other guys.
2007-09-25 13:40:59 · answer #7 · answered by sharon w 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my sisters boyfriend is allergic to her cat and they live together.
See if he is willing to take allergy pills, a perscription type would be best. Also keep the floors vacuumed and swept, this will cut down on the cat hair. My sister makes sure the house is clean and vacuumed and her boyfriend does fine.
2007-09-25 13:41:24 · answer #8 · answered by rate86 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm very glad to hear that you will not get rid of your children!
Well, he's just gonna have to take allergy medicine. If he loves you that much - he's gonna have to deal with it.
Visit him at his place. But don't make the mistake of staying overnight. Your kids need you more than he does - besides, he's a big boy, he can take care of himself!! Don't allow him to turn you away from your cats!
2007-09-25 13:52:56 · answer #9 · answered by msoralla03 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a big problem but may be helped if is prepared to take anti-histamines. If he is really keen on you it becomes his problem as well and he should be happy to get help from his doctor. If no, you may have to consider a new boyfriend. Definitely, the cats stay !
2007-09-25 13:42:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋