[Gracie]

Ok well I have a problem because my boyfriend is allergic to cats. He has a cat at his house who doesn't really bother him. I have 2 cats in my 2 bedroom apartment. When he comes over he gets a reaction, especially in the living room. He doesn't like to stay over because of this, but he does anyway. When he wakes up he feels like crap! He recently asked me if we could find somewhere else to hang out because he always feels sick at my house. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of places we could spend time together. Also, does anyone know a good way to clean a place so that there are less allergens (dust, cat hair)? Or does it have more to do with ventilation?

[DavidJ]

Have you thought about an allergy drug, like Allegra? I understand they're fairly effective nowadays.

[Tony T]

Call a veterinarian's office and tell them the problem. If there's something out there that can help, I promise they will know about it.

[Gracie]

Originally posted by DavidJ
Have you thought about an allergy drug, like Allegra? I understand they're fairly effective nowadays.

Well he takes Clariton but it doesn't seem to be strong enough.

[albysurfin]

I am in the same exact situation, my girlfriend has 2 cats, and I am extremely allergic. I take Zyrtec before I go over to her house. ( Zyrtec is just like Claritin but is the only prescription allergy medication with an indication for pet dander). Also we just bought a couple of Air Purifers from the Sharper Image(The Ionic Breeze) They were expensive like $300 a piece but they have really helped out since we have had them on. I have also heard that there is a shampoo you can wash your cats with to cut down on the dander...

I hope this helps!!

albysurfin

[monkey00]

for one thing i know 1 cat is crazy enough with the fur all over cause i have only 1.
they lose fur every single second, when you touch them it just flies off their body!!
i just broom around the house or mop and all those little strands just add up to one huge clump!!

I have 1 dog and 1 cat in my apartment with 2 air purifiers living room and room and i dont have any problems

i suggest keeping tidy, mopping the house at least once a week and getting some air purifiers to filter some of that flying fur...hope this helps

How clean do you keep your place? He obviously can't be that allergic to cats if the one at his place doesn't bother him. What breed is that one? What breeds are yours?

Do you vacuum and dust regularly? Is there cat hair all over your furniture and bedding? Are your cats all over your furniture and bedding? You might want to try giving your place a good top to bottom clean...vacuuming thoroughly, even hiring someone to professionally steamclean the place. Then put old sheets or blankets on your furniture when your boyfriend isn't around...so that your cats can still lie all over everything, but they're not leaving their fur and dander all over (just remove the sheets/blankets when he's over). Give your bedding a really good wash..in hot water, including your duvet cover or comforter. And don't let your cats into your bedroom.......keep them out (I'm assuming they're like mine and want to always sleep with you) and see if that makes a difference.

Could there be something else in your place that's bothering him, that's not the cats? Air fresheners? Those powder carpet deodorizers? Potpourri? These things can really set people off, even some scented candles can trigger allergies in those susceptible.

The fact that he's not bothered by the cat at his own place causes me to wonder if the cause of his discomfort at your place isn't due to something other than your cats. If someone is truly allergic to cats, any cat will set them off.

What kind of symptoms does he have? Does he pet your cats and touch them?

[Gracie]

Thanks for all the helpful advice! I will try dusting and vacuuming really well and washing my bedding tonight. I had kinda wondered if it couldn't be something more than the cats as well. He definitely has symptoms when he pets them and touches his face. He seems to get the worst reaction when he is sitting on my couch. I'll try to vacuum that off tonight too and see if anything improves. My cat actually has shorter hair than his cat so I don't know why it would make any difference. We'll see how the cleaning part goes...

[moimeme]

I would second the suggestion about the shampoo. I understand that even mopping your cats off with a wet rag might help.

[Arabess]

I have HORRIBLE allergies....so I really sympathize with your guy there.

My doctor told he it wasn't usually the "per hairs" which cause the allergies. It was a protien found in their saliva which caused most allergies. If I pet our dog or cat (yes, with long hair)....I just have to avoid touching my face or rubbing my eyes till after I've washed my hands. I also have problems if I lay on any pillow or area where they have been licking their fur. (ergo...the couch problem you spoke of) I have the animals ONLY because I have children and don't want to deprive them due to my personal allergies.

Allergy pills help to some degree....and the air purifyer Albe mentioned is also a great help. Befuddled is VERY correct....it may not just be "cats". I can't even walk thru a new fabric store or use "candle scents". This is always kind of funny since I deal with "hazzardous waste materials" at work and they don't bother me a bit....(HazMat Arabess.......hahahahaha! )