How to Get Rid of Cat Allergies

For many allergy sufferers who wish to find relief without having to give up their pet, there are many options available to reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms. Trying a combination of the following remedies may provide the best way to get rid of cat allergies. If these methods or options don't work, see an allergist or your regular care physician for other possible alternatives.

Things You'll Need

  • Allergy medicine
  • Allergy vaccine therapy
  • Allerpet or other dander-reducing products
  • HEPA air purifier and/or vacuum cleaner
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Instructions

  1. How to Get Rid of Cat Allergies

    • 1

      Take antihistamines and/or allergy medication regularly. These include many over the counter and prescribed medicines that need to be taken once a day and last for 24 hours. An antihistamine like Benedryl won't last for 24 hours, but may be effective for short-term symptoms. Other allergy medications include Zyrtec and Allegra. They also have variations that include decongestants for when your nose is stuffed.

    • 2

      Don't allow the cats on the beds or the pillows. Anywhere your face or skin will be in prolonged contact with fabric that a cat has rubbed against should be avoided. Keep the door to the bedroom(s) shut so the cat is unable to get onto the bed, sheets or pillows. This will help keep allergy symptoms at bay during the night and in the mornings.

    • 3

      Get Allergen immunotherapy. Also called allergy vaccine therapy, patients are injected with the offending allergens in gradual doses, until their body has built up an immunity against them and is no longer affected for short or long-term periods. Allergy vaccine therapy has been shown to reduce the symptoms of sinus problems and allergy-induced asthma. For many, this is more cost effective than regular use of daily allergy medications.

    • 4

      Use Allerpet or other products. Allerpet is a spray that, when applied to your cat, will reduce the amount of dander and saliva from the cat's skin, which are the leading causes of allergies. Other products include wipes to use on the cat's coat or sprays and tablets that can be added to their food.

    • 5

      Buy a HEPA filter air purifier and vacuum cleaner. Run a HEPA air purifier in the room where the cat spends most of its time. This filter will extract large amounts of cat dander and dead skin from the air, thereby reducing the number of airborne allergens. A HEPA vacuum cleaner uses the same principle, not only vacuuming up cat hair and dander, but filtering the air as well.