Don't tell me to get rid of my cats. I vaccuum, dust, clean the a/c vents, change the sheets, and put them in a secluded area away from him, but he still puffs up, sneezes, and gets watery eyes. Are there any herbal treatments for furniture?How can I help my friend deal with cat allergies when he visits?
what I do when my brother comes over is I vaccuum 2-3 times a week and use arm and hammer pet hair remover on the carpet, we have an air purifier, and we have this thing that looks like a squeegee to get the pet hair off the FURnature it is made by petmate. another thing you can do is designate one room as a cat free zone and make sure you get that room cleaned really well and don't let your cat in that room and it should make things better. another thing have him ask his doctor about zyrtec that does wonders for my boyfriend who is allergic to cats but he doesn't have problems very often. we just do some major cleaning when my brother comes over. if your friend is over a lot see about the zyrtec if not keep some benadryl on hand at your place to give him when he comes over.How can I help my friend deal with cat allergies when he visits?
go meet him somewhere else!
clean the hosue etxra well with the vacum try to make sure where he sits thye cat is not around him or hailball or even cat hair
Keep a lot of tissues handy. No amount of cleaning will help. OR.......he could go for allergy shots.
Keep some allergy medicine around.
I would suggest he get tested for allergies. The doctor could suggest an antihistamine for him that could alleviate some of his symptoms.
You could try airing out your house before he comes and perhaps leaving the windows open while he is there. Other than that.....give him some allergy pills.
I don't know what to tell you.....From a allergy sufferer it looks like you have tried. You vaccum, dust, clean, change sheets and etc. That's more than any of my friends ever did. Did you deep clean the furniture that's not leather? Does your friend take anything before he comes over? Does he have to come over?
i really hope this is a lesson to all the non-allergy sufferers out there: if you've got pets inside, this is how much it affects everything in the house!!
no amt of cleaning, scrubbing, etc. gets the pet dander out of houses and furnishings. i'm sorry but there's nothing that can be done. the only thing your friend can do is take a benadryl before coming over, and not stay long.
This will probably be a waste of an answer but I'm gonna have to say keep doing what your doing. Vaccuum (spelling duh?) any and all areas where hair might gather. Maybe keep a certain area closed of from your cats so that whenever you friend comes over it won't be so much of a problem. Or you could go out. I'm allergic to cats and my grandparents have one and they do everthing you are doing for your friend for me, and it works as long as I don't let her walk all over me. Good Luck!
Go out and meet your friend and sit and have some cold drinks and maybe even lunch Or even have a picnic lunch at a park ( weather permiting of course) theres all kinds of things you can do w/o having friend over to your house this way friend dosnt have to suffer so much
first go to specialist to make sure his allergies are for the cat.
he may not be allergic to the cat per-say but to micro dust on the cat fur, micro dust which can be found on sofas and other things.
after you confirmed that your BF is allergic to the cat you can do two things:
one:
taking the meds the doc will prescribe for your BF and second go see an alternative healer. I heard acupuncture helps as well as alternative meds. I heard people who stopped drinking and eating cow milk and cow milk by product they switched to other kind of milk. This things help.
Second:
Comb your cat each day and vacuum your house before your BF comes.
Also I heard of allergy going away on their own after awhile. How ever do not give away your cat allergy can be treated.
Meet like some were else or ask someone to take care of your cats when your friend comes.
I'm just the opposite - I wouldn't tell you to get rid of your cats, but I would tell you to get other friends!
But seriously, he may just need to take some allergy medicine. Either that or stay in a hotel!
I believe there are also treatments you can give your cats - either something topical or an oral supplement - that cuts down on dander. But since it's just a temporary visit, better that your friend take the drugs, not your babies!
Allergies are among the top reasons given by pet owners when relinquishing their cats or dogs to animal shelters. The HSUS belives that, with the exception of those who are extremely sensitive to animal dander, most people who love their pets can sensibly live with their allergies and be spared the heartbreak of giving up their beloved companions by following the advice in this brochure. We understand that for many people pets are often more important for their quality of life than the complete elimination of allergy symptoms.
Unfortunately, it isn't uncommon for people to think or be told that they must give up their pets regardless of whether their symptoms are simply annoying or truly life threatening. With the exception of people who are severely sensitive to pets - who according to many studies seem to be in the minority - pet owners can sensibly live with their pet allergies, symptoms can be managed, and pets can stay in their homes.
Common recommendations, such as keeping pets outdoors, are only partial solutions since the yard may have even higher concentrations of animal allergens. Responsible pet owners know that pets who live outdoors are exposed to many risks, which in turn may expose their owners to potential dangers. In addition, it's unfair to a pet, particularly one who has spent the majority of his or her life indoors, to be made to live outside, deprived of human companionship.
THE BENEFITS OF PET COMPANIONSHIP
The benefits of animal companionship to humans have long been recognized by pet owners and recently by the medical community. Studies have shown that having a pet increases survival rates in groups of patients who have suffered from cardiac arrest and that blood pressure and triglyceride and cholesterol levels are decreased. The increased physical activity that accompanies pet ownership - providing exercise, visiting the veterinarian, grooming, and affectionately stroking a pet - strengthens the heart, improves blood circulation, and slows the loss of bone tissue. Several recent studies also suggest that children exposed to pets at a young age are less likely to develop allergies to pets if their mothers aren't asthmatic.
Companion animals are also good for our emotional health. The companionship that a pet offers promotes a feeling of well-being, and caring for a companion animal provides purpose and fulfillment and lessens feelings of loneliness and depression in all age groups. Having a warm and loving relationships with an animal friend can enhance one's quality of life, and people who are happier usually don't become ill as often as those who are tense and stressed.
Studies show that only one out of five people with allergies gave up their cats or dogs when advised to do so by their physicians. And many allergic pet owners adopt new pets throughout their lives. However, living comfortably and safely with a pet, despite being allergic, requires a good understanding of the allergic condition and adherence to a few rules.
THE FACTS ABOUT ALLERGIES
Glands in the animal's skin secrete tiny allergy-triggering proteins, called allergens, that linger in the animal's fur but also float easily in the air. Allergens are present in the animal's saliva and urine and may become airborne when saliva dries on the fur. The severity of reaction to these allergens varies from one person to the next, ranging from mild sniffling and sneezing to life-threatening asthma, and can be complicated by simultaneous allergies to other irritants in the environment.
All cats and dogs are allergenic (allergy causing) to people who are allergic to animals. Cats tend to be more allergenic than dogs for allergic people, although some people are more sensitive to dogs than cats. Contrary to popular belief, there are NO nonallergenic breeds of dogs or cats; even hairless breeds may be highly allergenic.
Though common, pet allergies shouldn't be taken lightly. If you don't currently have a pet but are considering one and you know you're allergic, be sure to consider whether you can live with the allergy BEFORE bringing a new pet home. Except in the case of children, few allergy sufferers become accustomed to pets to whom they are allergic. Too many allergic owners adopt pets without thinking through the difficulties they may encounter. And too often they end up relinquishing pets, a decision that's difficult for the owner and may be life threatening for the pet.
ARE YOU SURE IT'S YOUR PET?
Asthma is a chronic illness and can be life threatening. If you think you have asthma or allergies, see your physician.
However, don't be quick to blame the family pet for allergies. Ask your allergist to specifically test for allergies to pet dander rather than making an assumption. And understand that allergies are cumulative. Many allergy sufferers are sensitive to more than one allergen. So if you're allergic to dust, insecticides, pollen, cigarette smoke, and cat dander, you'll need to reduce the overall allergen level in your environment by concentrating on all of the causes, not just the pet allergy.
SENSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO HELP YOU KEEP YOUR PET
Take heart! It may not be necessary to part with your beloved pet. If your allergist has done skin and blood tests to determine your sensitivity to animals and your allergies - while miserable - are not life threatening, a combination of approaches - medical control of symptoms, good housecleaning methods, and immunotherapy - is most likely to succeed in alleviating allergies. An allergist who understands your commitment to keeping your pet will discuss sensible ways to reduce your symptoms, such as:
*Create an allergy-free area - preferably the bedrooms - and strictly prohibit the pet's access to them.
*Wash your hands after touching your pet and before touching your eyes or face.
*Vacuum daily to get rid of shedded fur; wear a dust mask to vacuum, and use a vacuum with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
*Use furnace filters that trap pet dander and change them regularly to maximize efficiency.
*Discuss household changes and symptom-relieving medications with your allergist.
*Discuss treatments for your pet that may reduce your allergic reaction with your veterinarian.
*Use impermeable covers for mattresses and pillows to prevent allergen particles brought into the room on clothes and other objects from penetrating and accumulating in them.
*Replace heavy curtains and drapes with fabrics you can wash regularly.
LIFE-THREATENING PET ALLERGIES
Keeping both pets and people safe and healthy is very important to the HSUS. If your allergies are life threatening and you decide to find a new responsible home for your pet, find out how at www.hsus.org/pets. Although it can take up to six months to completely eliminate allergens in a home where a pet has lived, replacing carpeting, furniture, and drapes and cleaning walls may help reduce the dander level more quickly.
We applaud your efforts to keep you AND your pet safe. Good luck reducing your allergy symptoms!
To order copies of this brochure, write to:
Pets for Life
The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
www.petsforlife.org
202-452-1100
There is no cure for cat allergies. I am 54 and have had them since I was 8. I have 6 cats......long story. Anyway here is what I do and it makes life better for me. We have a very good air cleaner in each of the rooms I spend time, family room, computer room and bedroom. I vaccuum twice/wk. No cat is allowed in the bedroom. If one of the little gremlins does get on the bed we change the bed clothes right away. I keep my closet door closed to protect my clothing from cat dander. I am fortunate that I can open the windows to get a good exchange of air thru the house. I take maximum strength sinus, cold, allergy medicine and use an albuterol inhaler. I keep Benadryl gel for cat scratch or hives. All of these things enable me to live with these interesting little creatures. I also take a wet wash cloth and wipe the cats down sort of like a cat massage. They think they are getting petted. Good Luck. Anyway the best, very best way to spend time with your boyfrend would be to get rid of the cat but that would not be my choice.
dont take him to your house.. bring him to a park to starbucks instead!!
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