Just got two 5 month old kittens-and im allergic :( WWYD

[nataliachick7]

I have lived with long haired cats in the past and have been fine. (himalayans) I guess short haired cats can have more dander issues, which i didnt know. I have fallen in love with these kittens (brothers). I do not want to give them back. Should i ask the shelter if they can give us a long haired cat instead? I know they would..... Although i know that wouldnt be a guarantee either....
Should i just try to suck it up and take claritin/zyrtec as needed? Do you think being on antihistamine meds for long periods of time is bad for your health? WWYD?

[Ruthla]

I think that being on allergy meds long term is bad for your health, and that being exposed to allergens daily is bad for your health as well, whether or not you suppress the symptoms with drugs.

You just got these kittens, and they're young enough to easily get settled into somebody else's home. If you keep them, then try to rehome them in a year or two, it wouldn't really be fair to the cats.

I think you should give them back to the shelter so another family can love them.

[Carlin]

If you just got them, maybe give it a day or two? You could also give them a bath, as coming from a stressful environment like an animal shelter they are probably more dandery, and shedding more than usual. On the other hand, if you give them back don't feel guilty. As a previous poster said, they are young and adoptable and it doesn't make sense for you to be on meds all the time when you can find them another home without too much stress.

If you do try another cat, maybe you can spend a few hours with it before brining it home, to see if you react to it?

[Rach]

My aunt is very allergic to cats, to the point of her throat closing up just being in a house that had cats that died a year before. When my cousin found a stray kitten in their yard and decided to keep him, my aunt immediately started bathing him. They've had him for years and he loves baths and water and gets weekly baths to keep her allergy symptoms away.

You can try to return them and see if they'll exchange them. I'm sorry you had to find out about your allergies this way.

[Mama Mko]

My husband is allergic to cats but he gets used to specific cat's dander and it doesn't bother him after a couple weeks of exposure. He still gets irritated if he gets their hair in his eyes or if they're rubbing all over his face, but he's fine most of the time. He loves cats so we have three. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[rhiandmoi]

I would get these kitties used to taking baths. I think you will probably get used to them, and it will be easier if you wash them frequently. I washed my kitty every week.

[phatchristy]

If you are definitely allergic to them then I would consider returning at this point. They're still young and adoptable, keep in mind the longer that you wait the less adoptable they are.

Also, the fact that you previously didn't have a reaction to a certain himalayan persian doesn't mean that you would be that way to all. They are just as allergic a breed as any (experience here as a former himalayan persian owner/exhibitor).

[Porcelain Interior]

Cat allergy shots work! Also our allergist told us over time you can develop immunity to your cat's dander.

If you really love em you can suck it up for a while and see, or get allergy shots, but definitely do the bathing thing.

Worked for me!

[Watershippy]

Give it a month and see if your allergies adjust. My DP is allergic to other people's pets, but not our own cats, because he acclimated himself to their dander. When we first got the cats we kept them out of the bedroom, so that if DP felt the allergies coming on, he could go sit in there for an hour or two and let the allergies subside. After a while he didn't need to spend any time in the cat-free room, so we let the kitties wander freely in the house.

It is a good point though, that kittens would be easier to rehome than grown cats. Do try to decide if they need to be rehomed soon, while they are still young. I hope you can keep them!

[SunShineSally]

When I got my first cat I was allergic to her (now this is not natural but....) I went to wegmans and got these allergy wipes and wiped her down a few times a week they helped soooooooooo much and now I have 3 kitties and only with one other (besides my first cat) I needed wipes your body will build up a tolerance to their dander ohh and all of mine are short hair. Something else that is funny I grew up with a dog I was 3 when we got him and 20 when he passed and now at 26 I get an allergic reaction itchy throat rwatery eyes ect.. when with a dog I would not give up or got o your local health food store they may have a more natural remedy for you. If you vaccuum regulary it helps I know when I get out of my routine my allergies act up also. Good Luck mama!

[SunShineSally]

Originally Posted by Porcelain Interior

Cat allergy shots work! Also our allergist told us over time you can develop immunity to your cat's dander.

If you really love em you can suck it up for a while and see, or get allergy shots, but definitely do the bathing thing.

Worked for me!

My cousins DH got the shot (she said eighter do this or I am gone she did mean it too you gotta know her ) this worked wonderful for him he would end up with asthma attacks with out the shot! Now he sleeps with the little kitties every night