Guest post by Sally Bahner
It’s an all-too-common scenario. A cat lover meets the man of her dreams. But he’s allergic to her kitty. A choice must be made between the two, and often the cat ends up losing his home.
It doesn’t have to be like that. Just ask Holly Tse of California. For her and her husband Zunaid, love – and persistence – conquered all, including his allergy to her cat Furball.
Zunaid’s reaction to Furball when they started dating several years ago was immediate, with the characteristic itchy eyes, wheezing and cough. Their early dates took place outside Holly’s apartment, but when the relationship turned serious,giving up Furball was not an option.
The couple moved into a bright, spacious townhouse,where Zunaid attempted without a lot of success to control his allergies using various conventional methods, including air purifiers and allergy medication. What finally worked for him was a combination of alternative modalities: specially prescribed Chinese herbs, acupuncture to strengthen his “lung qi”, and meditation (which he had used for a previous medical condition). Holly, who practices Chinese reflexology, also showed Zunaid energy meridians in his feet that were related to allergies; massaging them gave him effective relief.
Nix the allergies and keep the cat!
It takes commitment to overcome allergies to a cat, as Zunaid and Holly can attest, but with patience and persistence, it can be done.
Start with your environment. Use air purifiers. Special machines are available with HEPA filters, just for pet allergies.Designate cat-free zones, particularly your bedroom. Get a made-for-pets vacuum with a HEPA filter and steam cleaner. If possible, replace carpeting with hard surfaces. Use throws on the furniture that can be easily laundered.
Feeding your cat a quality diet that keeps his coat and skin healthy and minimizes dander and shedding can help reduce an allergic response in people.
Brush the kitty regularly to get rid of old protein-laden fur. Better yet, acclimatize her to the occasional bath.
Physicians are quick to prescribe medications that may have side effects. Either that, or they’ll just tell you to give up your cat. Some may suggest a course of immunotherapy injections. A more natural approach would be to consult with a holistic physician or naturopath, who can recommend homeopathic remedies such as allium cepa, euphrasia, natrum muriaticum and nux vomica, or herbal remedies like quercetin, borage, elder or ginseng.
Use common sense when petting your cat. Do not touch your face and eyes and wash your hands thoroughly after petting.
Switching to a low-dust litter may help both the allergy sufferer and the cat.
Using a multi-pronged holistic approach worked wonders for Zunaid. One day, he realized he was symptom-free – and he has stayed that way for three years.
Cat Allergy Facts
An allergy to cats is primarily caused by the protein Fel d 1 found in the saliva, dander and urine of the feline. Several other minor proteins also come into play.
Is there such a thing as a non-allergenic cat?
It’s frequently cited that female cats, castrated males, and those with darker coats produce less Fed d 1, the protein that causes allergies in people. Breeds such as the Siberian, Sphynx, Balinese, Devon or Cornish Rex are believed to be low allergenic. However, do not adopt a cat on this basis alone if you suspect you may be allergic. Try spending some time with a cat in a shelter or at a friend’s house before making a final decision to adopt. Remember that adopting a cat is a lifetime commitment.
Consider a raw diet
Amy Jo Mork of Chicago found that people’s allergic reactions to her cats diminished significantly once she switched the kitties to a raw diet. “After we went completely raw, we had a friend visit about six months later and she had an easier time than before,” Amy says. “I have at least six other friends that have been for dinner or stayed over, and they always say they have an easier time at our place than others.”
Sally E. Bahner is an award-winning writer, columnist, and editor who has spent more than 15 years specializing in cat-related issues, specifically nutrition, holistic care and multiple cat behaviors. More recently she has offered services as a feline behavior and care consultant. She is a regular contributor to Feline Wellness and the Branford Eagle, a local online newspaper. She often gives presentations and classes on cat care. She resides in Connecticut, with her three cats, Pulitzer, Mollie, and Russian Blue Tekla, and husband, Paul, who is amazingly tolerant of her feline obsession. Sally shares her wealth of knowledge about cats at Exclusively Cats.
Reprinted with permission of Animal Wellness Magazine ©2013
Photo of George by Robin Olson, used with permission. George is available for adoption from Kitten Associates in Connecticut. Please visit his Petfinder page for more information about this gorgeous boy.
