Reducing allergens from the dander in cats

How to live with a cat when you are allergic to cats

MetPet.com Staff Writer

Is someone in your house sneezing and wheezing?  Giving your cat a weekly shower can reduce allergens by 44%.  Giving your cat a weekly bath can reduce them by nearly 80%.  Having your cat ever talk to you again is another question.  We define a bath as immersing your cat in warm water up to his chin, soaping him thoroughly and rinsing him thoroughly. 

Although there are no cats in Antarctica, cat dander and it's allergens show up there probably brought in on clothing and supplies.   Someone blamed the Scots and their thick wool sweaters but that was only a rumor.  In other words, there is no place on earth that is likely safe from cat allergens! 

Washing the cat is only a part of the solution.  Houses, cars, clothing, etc. that have not been near a cat for years can still contain dander.  Carpeting, bedding and clothing have to be thoroughly cleaned at the same time for the best effect.

Some other ways to minimize the problem:

- To keep the amount of allergens to a minimum, prevent your cat from going into areas where the sneezer spends a great deal of time such as the bedroom or den.  If that isn't possible, keep the bed covered during the day a large sheet and remove it before bedtime. 

- Invest in hard surface floors (wood, laminate, vinyl, marble, tile, etc.) which are easier to clean than carpeting.  If you must have carpeting, consider a short pile industrial carpet instead of a shaggy one. 

- Add new, high quality Hepa filters into the furnace and air conditioning system.

- Open the windows on a nice day and let the breeze blow through.  For the most cleansing effect, create a cross-breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of the house to suck the air through and indoor pollutants out.  Most houses are highly insulated for climate-control which also makes them hold onto indoor pollutants. 

- Invest in a new, powerful vacuum cleaner and change the bags frequently. 

- Invest in an air cleaner particularly in the bedroom.

- Replace curtains and heavy drapes with easy to clean roll up shades, washable fabrics or wide slatted shutters or blinds.   Alternatively, cleaning curtains, drapes and fabric furniture thoroughly will also do the trick. 

- Consider allergen-reducing bed covers, mattress pads and pillow cases that have a tight weave to prevent allergens from getting through to you. 

- Remove excess pillows, rugs, wall hangings, blankets, books and knick-knacks from the house or place them in barrister bookcases.  These bookcases, widely available from any office supply store, have glass doors that keep dust collection to a minimum. 

Related Information:
Bathing The Cat: Wet Baths
Minimizing Allergens in the Bedroom

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