| Above all other pets, more people have been proven | | | | remove from home furnishings. Carpets, couches, and |
| to be allergic to cats. Cats carry a certain type of | | | | mattresses may take anywhere from five months to |
| protein called, Fel d 1. This protein is found in the cat's | | | | five years to return to a normal level of allergen |
| skin or in their saliva. If an individual has sensitivity to | | | | content once a cat has been removed from that |
| this type of protein, they exhibit symptoms of a | | | | location. Even if the cat is not present in the location, |
| typical cat allergy. | | | | people with protein sensitivity will most likely still |
| Usually, people who say that they have a cat allergy | | | | show signs of a cat allergy if entering this type of |
| believe that they are allergic to the hairs of the cat. | | | | environment. |
| In actuality, the people suffering from a cat allergy | | | | Symptoms of a cat allergy may include chronic |
| are allergic to the specific protein found in the cat's | | | | sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, wheezing, |
| saliva and skin. Because the protein production | | | | chronic cold-like symptoms, hives, or even an asthma |
| increases depending on the hormone levels of the | | | | reaction. |
| animal, male cats contain more of the specific allergic | | | | To try and maintain control and alleviate symptoms |
| protein, which causes individuals with cat allergies to | | | | of a cat allergy, individuals should avoid having the |
| be more sensitive to male cats rather than female | | | | animal in their home. If this is not an option, the home |
| cats. | | | | should be kept as clean as possible by routinely |
| Cats are an extremely clean animal. They are | | | | washing walls and furniture, vacuuming carpets, and |
| constantly grooming themselves. When a cat grooms, | | | | utilizing an air filtration system to include vent and |
| they lick their bodies, which then transfers the | | | | furnace filters to decrease the amount of allergens |
| protein from their skin and saliva onto their fur. Once | | | | floating in the air. Also, bathing the cat on a weekly |
| the protein is deposited onto the fur, it is released | | | | basis may help decrease the amount of allergen |
| into the air. If a person is allergy sensitive and inhales | | | | introduced into the air, as well as the consistent |
| the protein released into the air, they may exhibit | | | | washing of your own hands after contact with the |
| signs of a cat allergy. | | | | cat. |
| Almost all places contain cat allergens, even if the | | | | As much as we love our animals, if a cat allergy is |
| location does not currently house the animal. The | | | | severe enough, it may be time to remove the animal |
| protein Fel d 1 - when released into the air - is easily | | | | from the home. If the love of that animal outweighs |
| absorbed by clothes. Clothes can then transfer the | | | | the discomfort of the allergy symptoms, then every |
| protein to another location and release the allergen | | | | possible step should be taken to decrease the |
| throughout the air. Also, the cat allergen remains in | | | | amount of allergens in the air thus minimizing the cat |
| the air for long periods of time and is very difficult to | | | | allergy. |