By Rose Smith
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 realize 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, otherwise 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 why 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 deodorizing cat litter, as it contains chemicals to help mask the smell in the litterbox. Buy litter that has a low dust ratio and pour it into the pan slowly, so as to keep any clay dust to a minimum. Again, if possible, have someone else in the household change the litterbox.
7. Brush your cat on a daily basis to remove dandruff and old hair, that can trap dander beneath the surface. Better yet, get someone else to do the grooming for you.
It can't hurt to try out some or all of these suggestions and see what type of results you get, before giving away a beloved family member. If you still find that living with your cat is intolerable, then you may have to resign yourself that it's best to give your cat away to a safe and loving home.
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