Cat allergies

[thyme4change]

We have 3 cats - always have. They have constant access to all the beds. My daughter is bringing her roommate home for 2 nights, and the roomy is allergic. She knows we have cats but is going to risk it.

What can I possibly do to make my cat covered house slightly less painful for her? We have an air mattress- is washing the sheets enough? I do have one set of sheets that we don’t use in this house. We have a leather lazy boy. I could go buy a fresh pillow, or maybe she will bring her own?

Suggestions?

[swamp]

stock up on benedryl. 

[pulmonarymd]

Bathe the cats before she comes, do a deep cleaning, and hope for the best.

They did a study that showed bathing a cat every week decreases allergy symptoms in those who were allergic to cats. What happened to the people who bathed the cats wasn't discussed

[thyme4change]

Jan 23, 2023 13:45:13 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

Bathe the cats before she comes, do a deep cleaning, and hope for the best.

They did a study that showed bathing a cat every week decreases allergy symptoms in those who were allergic to cats. What happened to the people who bathed the cats wasn't discussed

Lol - I have very little experience bathing cats, and my cats have very little experience being bathed - so this could be exciting.

[pulmonarymd]

Jan 23, 2023 13:47:52 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Jan 23, 2023 13:45:13 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

Bathe the cats before she comes, do a deep cleaning, and hope for the best.

They did a study that showed bathing a cat every week decreases allergy symptoms in those who were allergic to cats. What happened to the people who bathed the cats wasn't discussed

Lol - I have very little experience bathing cats, and my cats have very little experience being bathed - so this could be exciting.

Stock up on Band-aides and update your tetanus.

Sometimes studies make you scratch your head. This is one of them. I cannot imagine bathing one every week. Brushing mine is an unpleasant experience for both of us. They claimed if you started to do it when they were kitten it wasn't too bad.

[wvugurl26]

If you had bathed the cats regularly from kitten state it might be okay. The allergy is typically to the protein in the saliva. One of my friends had wipes she used on her cat as the husband was allergic.

My pediatrician used to tell us we could have a tongueless cat. Little kittens before they really start grooming themselves cause no problem for my allergies. Once they get bigger and start grooming it's all over for me.

Cleaning the house, washing sheets/towels on hot and locking the cats out of whatever room she'll sleep in are my suggestions.

We visited my aunt/uncle a few years back and I did okay for the first day or so. And then the cat snuck in the room I was sleeping and under my pillow. I was miserable from then on.

[Tennesseer]

Jan 23, 2023 13:33:58 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

We have 3 cats - always have. They have constant access to all the beds. My daughter is bringing her roommate home for 2 nights, and the roomy is allergic. She knows we have cats but is going to risk it.

What can I possibly do to make my cat covered house slightly less painful for her? We have an air mattress- is washing the sheets enough? I do have one set of sheets that we don’t use in this house. We have a leather lazy boy. I could go buy a fresh pillow, or maybe she will bring her own?

Suggestions?

Does Febreze help with cat allergies?
Studies have shown that Febreze Allergen Reducer cuts down on as much as 75% of allergens from dust mites and cats and dogs that can become airborne. Once or twice a week, simply spray the product evenly over fabrics such as furniture, pet bedding, and drapes until damp.Nov 3, 2011

[azucena]

Jan 23, 2023 14:08:49 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Jan 23, 2023 13:33:58 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

We have 3 cats - always have. They have constant access to all the beds. My daughter is bringing her roommate home for 2 nights, and the roomy is allergic. She knows we have cats but is going to risk it.

What can I possibly do to make my cat covered house slightly less painful for her? We have an air mattress- is washing the sheets enough? I do have one set of sheets that we don’t use in this house. We have a leather lazy boy. I could go buy a fresh pillow, or maybe she will bring her own?

Suggestions?

Does Febreze help with cat allergies?
Studies have shown that Febreze Allergen Reducer cuts down on as much as 75% of allergens from dust mites and cats and dogs that can become airborne. Once or twice a week, simply spray the product evenly over fabrics such as furniture, pet bedding, and drapes until damp.Nov 3, 2011

Thyme - this sounds more feasible than bathing the cat.

We have a boy cat who isn't too bright. He tends to fall in the bathtub checking on DD10. She'll yell, don't worry he's only wet from my bath, not the toilet LOL.

Dust, vacuum, clean bedding, and keeping the sleeping room closed will help. DD14 has an allergic friend who just can't help but pet one of our cats and that's when it starts to go downhill SMH. We've learned to put the cats away when that friend visits LOL.

[thyme4change]

I found 2 products - one you wipe on the cat and it removes the dander. The other is a spray that reduce allergens. I wish I had read the febreeze thing before that as febreeze is cheaper.

I think the wipe on stuff is kinda cumulative, as you are probably missing spots, and they continue to lick themselves spreading more of the fel-d1 protein. I will try and wipe them down a couple of times this week, and use the spray where she is sleeping. I might grab some febreeze for other rooms.

I also told my daughter to have her bring up a pillow and when she is not using it we will put it in a garbage bag and put it in the car. I don’t know if airborn allergens will land on it - but I do know at least one of my cats will lay on a fresh pillow. 🐈

Now I just have to come up with some vegetarian meals, as my daughter’s other roommate is a vegetarian.

[nittanycheme]

Burt's Bees sells cat wipes that you can use to wipe the cats to help with allergies.  I would not bathe them if you can help it.  I had to bath my semi-feral cat because she would pee on herself in the car to the vet, so then I gave her a bath.  Very bad day for her.  I would put winter gloves under an extra large size of dish gloves (so I had grip, but also protection) and wear like 3 thick sweatshirts.  Her scratching wasn't too bad - it was the biting to get away that I needed protection from.

The Febreze allergy spray also does work, although you might want to use a vacuum on the surface after.  It has some sort of polymer that bonds to the dander to make it heavier so it settles on the floor rather than floating around to cause allergies.  If you have carpet, that is really holds a lot of dander, so you may want to shampoo the carpet in the room the roommate will be sleeping in.  Also, I got that ChomChom roller that they rate on buzzfeed all the time.  It really does pickup a ton of fur off of soft surfaces.  I use it on my quilt in my bedroom every couple of days, and I get an amazing amount of fur off for just having one short haired teenage cat (8 months).  We also have a HEPA filter in the bedroom.  I already had it because it helps cut down on dusting, but it also helps with the cat.

My DH can be sensitive to cats as well, and so far he's been fine.  Although I really think that the fact that we have hardwoods throughout really helps.

[Tiny]

I think it will depend on how allergic the roomy is...  find out if they will be bringing their own medication (I have friends who know they are allergic and either have prescription stuff or use OTC stuff before they even walk in the door of the "plague house".    )    I have a friend who starts to experience an allergic reaction to dogs and cats within 15 minutes of entering the house.    

If they will be "winging it" -  having some benedryl and maybe some soothing eye drops (for the morning) may be helpful if they arrive unprepared.  Maybe some sort of "cortisone" anti itch cream if they get hives or a welt from petting the cat(s) and then touching their arm or leg....   ) 

I would concentrate on the room they will be sleeping in.   I'd deep clean a day or two BEFORE they arrive (so all the allergens you launch into the air can fall back down and settle and your guest won't have to breathe them in en masse). Vacuuming and dusting is going to kick up ALOT of dander/dust.   I'd restrict the cats from this room.    If you have access to an air purifier that removes pet dander - that might help.    You want to vacuum/dust before you wash/replace the bedding.  Otherwise you are just redistributing dust/dander on the clean bedding.  

I'd wash the bedding (mattress pad, pillow protectors, and sheets and blankets if possible).    I'd also do some towels for their use.   

Don't kid yourself - there's cat dander everywhere - it's part of the dust that's in your house.    

My BFF is allergic to cats - and can survive 24 hours in a dander infested house - it gets ugly if she pets/touches the cat and then touches her skin (face, bare arm, or rubs her eye, etc) before washing her hands.  It's like cutting a hot pepper and then rubbing your eye.  Your hand/fingers might feel ok - but once you get that hot pepper residue beyond your hand YOWCH!!  


Hopefully the friend is only mildly allergic.    

[thyme4change]

She stayed here once before, and she was okay - but she didn’t sleep well. Being 20 with mild allergies is not earth shattering. 20 year olds can put up with a lot of discomfort.

My daughter said the friend would take her medicine and isn’t worried about it. She is going to bring her own pillow. My cleaners are coming today. So, I will do the anti-allergen spray and wipes and hopefully she will get some sleep - but again - she is 20, so a couple nights of rotten sleep isn’t a tragedy.

[Cookies Galore]

Jan 23, 2023 18:19:43 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

I found 2 products - one you wipe on the cat and it removes the dander. The other is a spray that reduce allergens. I wish I had read the febreeze thing before that as febreeze is cheaper.

I think the wipe on stuff is kinda cumulative, as you are probably missing spots, and they continue to lick themselves spreading more of the fel-d1 protein. I will try and wipe them down a couple of times this week, and use the spray where she is sleeping. I might grab some febreeze for other rooms.

I also told my daughter to have her bring up a pillow and when she is not using it we will put it in a garbage bag and put it in the car. I don’t know if airborn allergens will land on it - but I do know at least one of my cats will lay on a fresh pillow. 🐈

Now I just have to come up with some vegetarian meals, as my daughter’s other roommate is a vegetarian.

An easy, go-to meal in my repertoire. Might be crowd-friendly. www.cookingclassy.com/quinoa-black-bean-corn-tacos/

As far as the cats - clean, clean, clean and buy stock in all the allergy meds! Whenever my sister-in-law stays over for a visit we make sure to vacuum like hell and keep the cats out of the guest room. It doesn't fully work but, damn it, we try.

[Tiny]

I recently made a ChickPea Pot Pie  in my iron skillet.    It called for puff pastry dough (the premade frozen kind) and used heavy whipping cream along with a bunch of pantry and freezer staples (well, at my house...canned chickpeas, carrot, onion, celery, frozen peas and corn. Butter, veggie broth, flour, and heavy cream for the sauce.)     It was way better than I would have imagined.   I'm a Flexitarian but didn't have any cooked chicken at home - but all the rest of the ingredients.  It doesn't pretend to be "chicken" - but it has all the right flavors and the chickpeas had a pleasant texture/taste.    It checked all the boxes for me - for a pot pie. 


I'm sure this can be made in a casserole dish and that just about any kind of "topping" can go on it - mashed potatoes, or if you check the label - some sort of "canned" biscuit or cresent roll thing.   

There are lots of variations via google. 

  

[thyme4change]

Thanks for the ideas. I bought plant based meatball and I will make a miso ginger sauce, rice and vegetables. But I may need a second meal.

[Deleted]

Jan 24, 2023 17:55:13 GMT -5 Tiny said:

I recently made a ChickPea Pot Pie  in my iron skillet.    It called for puff pastry dough (the premade frozen kind) and used heavy whipping cream along with a bunch of pantry and freezer staples (well, at my house...canned chickpeas, carrot, onion, celery, frozen peas and corn. Butter, veggie broth, flour, and heavy cream for the sauce.)     It was way better than I would have imagined.   I'm a Flexitarian but didn't have any cooked chicken at home - but all the rest of the ingredients.  It doesn't pretend to be "chicken" - but it has all the right flavors and the chickpeas had a pleasant texture/taste.    It checked all the boxes for me - for a pot pie. 


I'm sure this can be made in a casserole dish and that just about any kind of "topping" can go on it - mashed potatoes, or if you check the label - some sort of "canned" biscuit or cresent roll thing.   

There are lots of variations via google. 

  

That sounds awesome - I love chickpeas

[Deleted]

We are not vegetarians but we love veggies so we often do lentil tacos. Cooked brown or green lentils in a crispy corn taco shell, topped with lettuce, tomato, avocado and salsa. You can sub shredded cabbage for the lettuce if you like and add vegan cheese too.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Jan 23, 2023 18:19:43 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

I found 2 products - one you wipe on the cat and it removes the dander. The other is a spray that reduce allergens. I wish I had read the febreeze thing before that as febreeze is cheaper.

I think the wipe on stuff is kinda cumulative, as you are probably missing spots, and they continue to lick themselves spreading more of the fel-d1 protein. I will try and wipe them down a couple of times this week, and use the spray where she is sleeping. I might grab some febreeze for other rooms.

I also told my daughter to have her bring up a pillow and when she is not using it we will put it in a garbage bag and put it in the car. I don’t know if airborn allergens will land on it - but I do know at least one of my cats will lay on a fresh pillow. 🐈

Now I just have to come up with some vegetarian meals, as my daughter’s other roommate is a vegetarian.

At least you know!  My niece brought a friend out to visit who was vegetarian and told me after they got there.   They had 2 meals in I planned.  I made spaghetti with sausage and left the sausage out of the friends mean.  The other I made chicken curry and cooked the chicken separately and made a veggie curry for the friend.  

My only goof was the cesears salad dressing I made for the salad.  I forgot that I used anchovy paste.  Whoops!

[thyme4change]

Jan 24, 2023 22:28:48 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Jan 23, 2023 18:19:43 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

I found 2 products - one you wipe on the cat and it removes the dander. The other is a spray that reduce allergens. I wish I had read the febreeze thing before that as febreeze is cheaper.

I think the wipe on stuff is kinda cumulative, as you are probably missing spots, and they continue to lick themselves spreading more of the fel-d1 protein. I will try and wipe them down a couple of times this week, and use the spray where she is sleeping. I might grab some febreeze for other rooms.

I also told my daughter to have her bring up a pillow and when she is not using it we will put it in a garbage bag and put it in the car. I don’t know if airborn allergens will land on it - but I do know at least one of my cats will lay on a fresh pillow. 🐈

Now I just have to come up with some vegetarian meals, as my daughter’s other roommate is a vegetarian.

At least you know!  My niece brought a friend out to visit who was vegetarian and told me after they got there.   They had 2 meals in I planned.  I made spaghetti with sausage and left the sausage out of the friends mean.  The other I made chicken curry and cooked the chicken separately and made a veggie curry for the friend.  

My only goof was the cesears salad dressing I made for the salad.  I forgot that I used anchovy paste.  Whoops!

The last time she visited I was going to make something (I can’t remember what) and my daughter walked in and said “you can’t use chicken broth” - duh! How did I not put that together. I used wine instead. 😎

[finnime]

That ChickPea pot pie sounds delicious, thanks for the idea, Tiny.

My kids each went vegetarian, then vegan, for several years periods in their lives. I was a vegetarian for 12 years when I was young(er) so could deal. The veganism was tougher. I bought a vegetable spread to use instead of butter and soaked flaxseed to sub for eggs in baking. Different results, but tasty. We did a lot of stir fries, soups and curries.

[tractor]

Speaking as someone who's highly allergic to cats, she will be miserable no matter what you do. I can stay at a place that had cats years ago and be covered in hives and significantly congested in less than an hour.

As someone else said, Benadryl and fresh air are the best things she can hope for, unless she also get regular allergy shots

[tractor]

Speaking as someone who's highly allergic to cats, she will be miserable no matter what you do. I can stay at a place that had cats years ago and be covered in hives and significantly congested in less than an hour.

As someone else said, Benadryl and fresh air are the best things she can hope for, unless she also get regular allergy shots