5 Responses

1. cowboydoc

   December 20th, 2009 at 3:23 pm

   1

   There are two thoughts about this. Most people don’t know but, the allergies to cats are : one, if they’re allowed to wander (alley cats) then they can bring home a cornucopia of problems in the way of what they come in contact with. Think about it, whatever they contact is going to stay with them. Their fur, feet etc. From the next door weed field to the neighbors grass is going to be on your bed, the rugs the carpets and your lap.
   A Vet told me once "a cat doesn’t have to be outside, ever. They only get into trouble this way and, there’s nothing outside for them. Their entire world, if you love them, can be inside the house. You give them a bath when they’re young and continue the practice as much as twice a week to get rid of their dander and you’ll be O.K.
   Then and only then would I recommend a cat for someone with allergies.

   As for the dust mites, everyone is allergic to dust mites, the small reddish brown pests that live along the seams of your mattress and bedding. Strip the bedding twice a week and wash in hot water, vacuum the mattress along the seams and both sides, the spring also. Do the carpet or floor under the bed, wash down the entire bed, the drapes and everything.

2. David

   December 20th, 2009 at 3:23 pm

   2

   probably not a great idea.

3. CMYK

   December 20th, 2009 at 3:23 pm

   3

   First talk to you doctor.
   Second there are very short-haired cats available. One thing to remember is cats can get in small places and may sweep up dust from those crevices – so you may want to be very careful.

4. Matt L

   December 20th, 2009 at 3:23 pm

   4

   Have you ever had a cat? Cat dander is completely separate from Dust Mite allergies. You can get tested by an Allergist to see if you have an allergy toward cats. If no allergy toward cats then get one. It won’t matter if it is long or short hair. The main thing is to keep your mattress covered and vacuum regularly with a HEPA vac.

5. annie42

   December 20th, 2009 at 3:23 pm

   5

   only if you are also allergic to the cats dander. There are shampoos you can buy that reduce a pets dander but you have to bath them as often as the bottle says,,,,but they work pretty good. For dust mites…we bagged and put away all stuffed animals and fancy pillows…and bought extra bed pillows and rotate them every so often..putting the unused ones away in tight plastic bags to smother at least some of the mites, or washing them, which wreaks havoc on the stuffing, but what can you do. . We buy the good quality fabric, not plastic, pillow covers and wash them a lot…and put two on our pillows. Anything vinyl, including the mattress covers, are awful…they crinkle unpleasantly, and they rip…all of them…within 6 months or less. Total rip-offs. Buy the furnace filters that are rated to filter the smallest particles. They cost a lot, about $14.00…but we like them. There seems to be less dust around when we use them . If you get a long-haired kitty…you will have to groom more so kitty does less licking of the fur because that is frequently a source of an allergen…their saliva. I would definitely recommend a short hair for you…I know those long-haired ones are gorgeous..I have 3…but I groom them a lot…including hair cuts several times a year, because it keeps the hair balls and fleas down, as well as cools them off and greatly reduces their self-grooming. I never shave a cat to the skin..most groomers do. Can you work with a breeder who will let you have a kitten for a few days and see how you do? I hope you are fine…allergies bite!! and they really control our lives, don’t they?