For Valentine's Day this year, the Wamiz editorial team was interested in finding out how pet owners deal with relationships when their partners are allergic to their cat. Is the relationship doomed to fail? Should the couple live separately until a vaccination is found? Or are there solutions for love to triumph over allergies?
Adapting to live in harmony
Wamiz went to their Facebook and Instagram followers to know more. And it quickly became clear that the majority of allergic individuals would prefer to adapt to the situation rather than give up on their relationship.
And cat owners are unwavering; there is no way they'll abandon their pet for a love story.
"Get rid of my cats? NEVER! There are things couples can try before breaking up. I would be willing to change my cats' diet to reduce my boyfriend's allergies," explains Alexandra, 27.
Most of our readers report that allergic individuals try all sorts of tricks to coexist with cats, even if they're responsible for sneezing, itchy eyes, and a scratchy throat.
At the beginning of a relationship, many couples opt for living separately. This is the case for Carla, 25, who lives in London: "My partner cannot come to my place or if he does, he stays very briefly because of his cat allergy."
To avoid a sneezing fit, the young woman therefore travels back and forth between her apartment in Stratford and her boyfriend's in Ealing to spend time with him.
While Carla and her partner are still in the early stages of their relationship, Matthew, originally from Birmingham, has moved in with his girlfriend Clarice. She's allergic to his cat, Bossy, and so she has to take a daily treatment, as Matthew explains: "We live together so Clarice takes antihistamines and Ventolin every day. We avoid letting the cat sleep with us."
If you're an allergy sufferer, there is no need to panic, as there are solutions to enjoy a relationship despite the presence of a cat.
Angela, 45, gave us a testimony that will undoubtedly give you hope: "My husband just makes sure to wash his hands after petting the cat to avoid an allergic reaction after rubbing his hands on his eyes. When we met a few years ago, he had severe allergies but over time, it's like he became immune. We also implemented hygiene measures. The house is always very clean, and we keep the cat out of the bedroom."
Solutions for living with a cat when allergic
As suggested earlier in this article, cleaning your home frequently will help limit the presence of the Fel D1 protein, the main allergen found in a cat's saliva and sebaceous glands.
You can also forbid access to your bedroom (we're talking about the cat, not the partner!). This action aims to limit the presence of fur and thus the Fel D1 protein, which is responsible for allergic reactions.
To live in harmony with someone who suffers from cat allergies, you should brush your cat at least once a day. You should also feed them dry food specially designed to reduce allergens on their fur, like Pro Plan® LiveClear®, which you can find on Zooplus.
On average, Pro Plan® Liveclear® cat food reduces 47% of allergens on cat fur and dander. A specific protein contained in the dry food binds to the Fel D1 allergen in cats' saliva and neutralises it. The positive effects of Pro Plan® Liveclear® can be observed as early as the 3rd week of daily feeding.
Don't forget you can also consult an allergist who can implement a treatment to help your loved one overcome their allergy.
With all these tips, you should be able to enjoy a perfect Valentine's Day!
