Fighting Cat Allergies
It's unfortunate when an owner has to give away a beloved cat because of allergies that have developed in the household. But, before taking that drastic step, here are some tips that you should try first to see if they help alleviate the problem enough, so that Fluffy can continue to stay in her loving home. 1. Try bathing your cat every 4 to 6 weeks with a very mild shampoo (be sure to rinse thoroughly). This helps remove the build up of dandruff beneath the skin. As well, many people don't realise that a cat's saliva is a huge culprit in causing allergies .
Because a cat grooms itself so often, there is a build up of a potent protein from the saliva that causes severe allergic reactions. By washing your cat on a regular basis, you can remove much of this build up. But, please do not bathe your cat more often then once a month - you may dry out the skin, causing the cat to scratch itself and in turn, raising the dander even more.
2. Get a full allergy test done to determine what other household substances you might be allergic too. In many cases, a person allergic to cats is also allergic to other environmental allergens as well. Each additional allergy that you may have, compounds the whole problem.
3. Get rid of carpets and as many nylon and synthetic fabric surfaces as you can. Nylon and synthetic fabrics (in furniture and rugs) attract and hold dust, dander, etc. much more than natural fabrics do. The more washable surfaces you have in your home, the easier it is to keep clean.
4. Use a commercial size air purifier in your home to filter many of the airborne irritants. These air purifiers can have a dramatic affect on your allergies. However, keep in mind that the small room-size units are not large enough to do the job properly, hence a larger, commercial one is recommended if you wish to see any difference.
5. Wash bedspreads, sheets, pillows, curtains, area rugs and other fabrics often. Also, make sure you vacuum often with a vacuum cleaner that has a good (and clean) filter. Then air out the room to allow any floating dust particles to settle. If possible, get someone else to do the vacuuming.
6. Cat litter can also be a large irritant. Stay away from deodorising cat litter, as it contains chemicals to help mas
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