| There is no underestimating the joy and fulfillment | | | | medications, speak with a doctor before you begin |
| that a kitten or other pet may bring into your life. | | | | taking them to ensure that there are no |
| Unfortunately, many of us are allergic to cats and | | | | consequences. |
| other pets. That doesn't mean that those of us who | | | | Home Environment |
| are susceptible to pet allergies have to go without | | | | If you have hardwood flooring under your carpets, |
| feline companionship. There are a variety of things | | | | removing the carpet will eliminate one place where |
| that you can do to eliminate the symptoms of cat | | | | allergens can build up. Similar is true with furniture; |
| allergies, or at least reduce them to a manageable | | | | replacing your cloth upholstered furniture with wood |
| level that you can cope with. | | | | and leather varieties will have a similar effect. You |
| Cleaning | | | | may also want to consider keeping the cat out of |
| You can reduce your allergy symptoms significantly | | | | carpeted rooms and bedrooms. |
| by keeping your home extremely clean. This entails | | | | Location |
| very frequent vacuuming, dusting, and other cleaning. | | | | If the cat is older and you are not living in a cold |
| Using a HEPA (high efficiency particle absolute) | | | | climate, you might consider the possibility of an |
| vacuum cleaner will eliminate many of the allergens | | | | outdoor cat. Most of the allergens will remain outside, |
| from your home before they get into the air. Once | | | | and the cat will generally be around. The problem |
| they are in the air, use of a HEPA air purifier will | | | | with keeping an outdoor cat is that they do not |
| further eliminate them. You may also want to vapor | | | | necessarily bond with you and they become more an |
| steam clean your carpets, curtains, and upholstery | | | | acquaintance than a pet. Most of the companionship |
| regularly. Bathing the cat regularly in filtered water, | | | | aspects of having a pet are lost. |
| traumatic though it may be for both of you, may | | | | These are, of course, just a handful of tips that can |
| also be beneficial. | | | | help you cope with pet allergies. Every person is |
| Antihistamines | | | | different, however, and what may work for one |
| There are a variety of over the counter and | | | | person may be completely ineffective for another. |
| prescriptions antihistamines that are generally very | | | | The best thing to do is to study, experiment, and |
| effective at blocking the body's allergic reactions. If | | | | find out what works for you. |
| you are pregnant, nursing, or taking other | | | | |