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Questions
- Does Cat Hair Cause Allergies?
- Cat Hair Allergy Symptoms
- Short and Long Cat Hair Allergies
- Cat Hair Allergy Treatment
Cats are affectionate and adorable, it’s no wonder that they are one of the most popular pets. Their small size, meticulous litter tray habits, and regular grooming of their coat mean they’re hygienic and easy to keep indoors. However, cat hair allergy is a very common problem for humans and is becoming increasingly common with the popularity of cats as pets. It can be a real problem for cat owners that find themselves allergic to their cats but don’t worry, we have some top information and tips on how to deal with allergies.
Does Cat Hair Cause Allergies?
Allergies to cats are common but contrary to popular belief, their hair isn’t the main culprit. It’s what is on their hair that is the problem. The Fel d 1 protein produced in cat’s saliva and sebaceous glands (oil glands) is actually the allergen responsible for cat hair allergies in humans. But how does this saliva protein get transferred to humans?
As we know, cats spend a huge amount of time grooming their coats. As they groom, they transfer saliva onto their hair and skin, which includes the Fel d 1 protein responsible for allergies! When they shed their coat, they shed hair and dander (dandruff) which has the saliva protein attached. So even if you have a hairless cat, you can still develop allergies because even though they don’t have hair, they still shed dander which contains saliva protein.
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Now that you know what causes the allergy, you’re likely to understand more about what could set off a reaction. You might have allergy symptoms after your cat has had a long grooming session or you’ve brushed out their coat indoors. Anything that involves their hair, can cause allergy symptoms.
Cat Hair Allergy Symptoms
Cat owners, particularly new owners and even people that don’t own cats, may develop symptoms of a cat hair allergy. Sometimes these symptoms can develop as your cat becomes an adult as often kittens aren’t very good at grooming and therefore will have less saliva on their hair to initiate an allergic reaction.
Symptoms include:
Sneezing
Coughing
Watery, itchy eyes
Wheezing
Itchy skin
Skin rash
Difficulty breathing
People with underlying conditions such as asthma, might be more sensitive to the allergen and develop more severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing.
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Each cat produces different levels of the allergen and as some cat’s groom more than others, you might react to one cat and not react to a different cat. In rare cases, if you’ve lived with a cat for a prolonged period of time that you react to, you can become tolerant of the allergen. Your symptoms can then re-emerge if you’re exposed to a different cat.
Short and Long Cat Hair Allergies
A common myth is that long-haired cats are more likely to cause cat hair allergies. We know that this isn’t the case. Even though some cats have longer hair than others, they both still shed similar levels of dander which contains the allergy protein attached.
Some cats shed more than others, and this can increase the risk of allergies instead of cat hair length. The amount of Fel d 1 protein produced by cats also influences this along with how much they groom themselves (how much saliva is transferred to their hair).
Cat Hair Allergy Treatment
Luckily many treatments exist to manage cat hair allergies. If you think you’re allergic to your cat, it’s best to visit your doctor for advice. They’ll discuss your symptoms with you and potential allergens. Don’t forget that there are many other allergens out there besides cat hair e.g., dust mites.
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They may recommend that you take medications to manage your symptoms. This may include antihistamines, working to block histamines chemicals that are involved in allergy symptoms. These can come in tablet, liquid, or nasal spray forms. Decongestants may help with congestion and make it easier for you to breathe. Nasal irrigation (flush) may help relieve symptoms by flushing mucous and irritants from your nasal cavity.
If regular medications don’t work, your doctor may recommend immunotherapy which involves injecting small amounts of the allergen to expose yourself to it over time.
Severe cases of cat hair allergies with underlying conditions (asthma) may need bronchodilators, steroids, or inhalers.
Cat Hair Allergy Remedies
Along with your doctor’s medical recommendations, there are some remedies that you can try at home that will help with cat hair allergies. As we know, cat hair allergies are caused by the cat saliva protein Fel d 1 that is on cat hair, specifically cat dander. The home remedies that we recommend aim at reducing the amount of cat hair and dander in the environment which should reduce the allergy symptoms.
These recommendations include;
Vacuum regularly to remove hair and dander from floors
Change from carpets to hardwood floors that won’t hold hair and dander
Have cat-free areas of the house, particularly where you sleep
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Groom your cat outdoors, if possible, to prevent the release of hair and dander in the house. This should be done by someone that doesn’t have a cat hair allergy. Moistening the fur before grooming can also try to contain the hair and dander. Check out these grooming brushes and tools.
Regularly clean your cat’s bedding
Use blinds (cordless) instead of curtains
Use air filters
Bathe your cat (if tolerated) with cat shampoo or wipe them with a moistened cloth daily to reduce allergen levels
Change their litter box frequently and ensure that boxes aren’t near air vents
Avoid your cat licking you (as their saliva contains the allergen)
Always wash your hands after being in contact with any cat
There is a new cat food available that can neutralize some of the allergens in the cat’s saliva. This could be a potential option if your cat doesn’t have any dietary sensitivities or requirements.
Cat hair allergies can be a real nuisance and even dangerous for cat owners. The allergy is caused by a protein in cat saliva that attaches to their fur and dander during grooming. Luckily many treatments and remedies exist that can dramatically improve allergy symptoms meaning that you can still enjoy cat company despite having a cat allergy.
For any advice on your pet hair allergy, drop by to one of our Community Pet Clinics and shop all the feline essentials from our cat and kitten range.