Health
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Are the Signs of an Allergic Reaction to Cats?

Ray Hawk
Ray Hawk

The signs of an allergic reaction to cats most often resemble those of the common cold. These include symptoms of nasal discomfort like a runny nose and sneezing, itchy irritation of the eyes and nose, and respiratory distress like coughing and shortness of breath. More severe allergic reactions to cats can also include throat swelling that can cause difficulty breathing or swallowing, and swelling of the skin, especially in the face, hands, or feet, which requires immediate medical attention.

It is estimated that about 10% of the human population has a natural allergic reaction to cats, with up to one-third of all people who have other allergies also exhibiting allergic responses to cats. Unaltered male cats tend to produce the most allergic effects in people, with females and neutered males being less prone to causing allergic effects. This is likely due to the causes of an allergic reaction to cats, which can be traced to five distinct proteins produced in the feline’s shed skin and hair known as dander, saliva, and urine.

Using a high performance vacuum cleaner can reduce an allergy to cats.
Using a high performance vacuum cleaner can reduce an allergy to cats.

The two proteins that are known to cause the most prominent allergic reactions are Secretoglobin — Fel d 1 — produced in saliva, and Lipocalin — Fel d 4 — produced in urine. While these proteins would seem to be uncommon in the home and not widely dispersed due to their limited sources, studies have shown that they are often present nearly everywhere on furniture, walls, and in the air. Cat allergens have even been found to be common in rooms where a cat has never lived due to the fact that they are small proteins that are easily diffused throughout a confined environment. Part of the reason for their potent effect, even in small concentrations, is that cat allergens cause the human immune system to overreact in the same way that it would to combating the presence of small amounts of a virus or bacteria.

Signs of an allergic reaction to cats are similar to a common cold.
Signs of an allergic reaction to cats are similar to a common cold.

Recognizing an allergic reaction to cats often requires verification by a skin or blood test performed by a doctor. This is because cats also bring pollen and mold allergens into the home which may be the root cause of an allergic response, and other elements of a home can also cause allergic reactions where cats are present, such as dust and chemicals in the air, or contaminants produced by cat litter. Often, cleaning cat litter frequently and bathing a cat in pet shampoo will reduce allergic symptoms, which is another way of verifying the source of an allergic reaction to cats.

Watery eyes and nasal congestion are symptoms of a potential cat allergy.
Watery eyes and nasal congestion are symptoms of a potential cat allergy.

Treating an allergic reaction to cats when it is fairly mild, and when pet owners wish to keep the cat, can be done through several approaches. They can try to limit exposure to the cat by keeping it out of certain rooms in the house such as the bedroom. The home can also be designed to minimize buildup of allergens by choosing hard wood floors, steam cleaning carpets regularly, and using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters on furnaces and vacuum cleaners. The cat should also be cleaned and groomed on a regular basis with specially-formulated pet shampoos made to reduce protein secretions. Antihistamines for allergies can be taken as well on a regular basis by pet owners, or immunotherapy treatments can be used to build up a resistance to the allergens.

Discussion Comments

Animandel

There is hope for you if you want to add a cat to the family but someone in your household has had allergic reactions to cats in the past.

There are hypoallergenic cats that have been produced through special breeding of cats that already produce less dandruff than the average cat. These hypoallergenic animals can be the answer for allergy sufferers.

Sporkasia

People who have a deficiency of certain minerals and vitamins in their diets are often more likely to be allergic to cats. Sometimes getting rid of those nagging cat allergy symptoms can simply be a matter of going to the local drug store and buying an over-the-counter multivitamin.

This probably will not help with severe cases of allergic reactions, but it is worth a try. You could probably benefit from a multivitamin regardless of whether it helps your allergy or not.

Feryll

In the past, I have been around the cats of friends and family members and I have not noticed any symptoms that might be related to any kind of allergy. Recently I have been spending much more time around my girlfriend's cats. I have heard that it is possible to develop allergies even when you had no problems previously.

I haven't gone to the doctor for allergy tests as suggested in the article, but I have been experiencing sneezing, watering eyes and a runny nose. I have read that some natural products are good for cat allergies.

I have been adding cayenne pepper to some of my meals because I read that it could help get rid of some of the symptoms I am experiencing. I am also considering trying licorice root. It is also recommended to treat cat allergies.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Using a high performance vacuum cleaner can reduce an allergy to cats.
      By: trekandshoot
      Using a high performance vacuum cleaner can reduce an allergy to cats.
    • Signs of an allergic reaction to cats are similar to a common cold.
      By: cynoclub
      Signs of an allergic reaction to cats are similar to a common cold.
    • Watery eyes and nasal congestion are symptoms of a potential cat allergy.
      By: bsites
      Watery eyes and nasal congestion are symptoms of a potential cat allergy.
    • Routine cleaning may help reduce allergen exposure.
      By: auremar
      Routine cleaning may help reduce allergen exposure.
    • Respiratory distress like coughing and shortness of breath can be signs of a cat allergy.
      By: Evgenia Tiplyashina
      Respiratory distress like coughing and shortness of breath can be signs of a cat allergy.