Hi! I'm going to adopt a cat soon, and I'm super excited. We went and looked at the shelter cats today and it was fun, but we just didn't find the perfect one.
One problem: I'm allergic to cats. Have been for a long time. I just love them so much.
While at the shelter, my nose began to get itchy and my throat got a bit sore. After I left, my eyes began to water and now my nose is running. Of course, that was a ton of cats. Usually my nose just runs and my face gets itchy if I touch it, and my eyes get itchy/watery and swell up if I touch them even slightly. No athsma type issues, although sometimes I'll sound a little wheezy when I breathe in deeply, but I've never felt like I'm suffocating or anything scary like that. Don't know where I fit in the allergy severity spectrum?
Anyway, I really really really want to make this work, and I guess I'd just like some tips and/or encouragement that it'll be okay. So, has anyone else successfully dealt with their allergies to cats?
Oh, and I have looked at hypoallergenic breeds and I love the Siberian, but my parents don't love longhair and we really want to rescue an adult cat. And none of the other recommended breeds had significantly lower Fel D1 levels so I'm not sure I really believe they're any better than your average cat. The Siberian really seems to be the only real option.
One problem: I'm allergic to cats. Have been for a long time. I just love them so much.
While at the shelter, my nose began to get itchy and my throat got a bit sore. After I left, my eyes began to water and now my nose is running. Of course, that was a ton of cats. Usually my nose just runs and my face gets itchy if I touch it, and my eyes get itchy/watery and swell up if I touch them even slightly. No athsma type issues, although sometimes I'll sound a little wheezy when I breathe in deeply, but I've never felt like I'm suffocating or anything scary like that. Don't know where I fit in the allergy severity spectrum?
Anyway, I really really really want to make this work, and I guess I'd just like some tips and/or encouragement that it'll be okay. So, has anyone else successfully dealt with their allergies to cats?
Oh, and I have looked at hypoallergenic breeds and I love the Siberian, but my parents don't love longhair and we really want to rescue an adult cat. And none of the other recommended breeds had significantly lower Fel D1 levels so I'm not sure I really believe they're any better than your average cat. The Siberian really seems to be the only real option.