How to live with a cat when you are allergic
Standard over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl often cause heavy drowsiness while failing to provide long-term relief from constant pet dander. Over years of exposure, symptoms like swollen eyes and severe congestion may persist without ever fully resolving, leaving owners stuck choosing between daily medication side effects or giving up their pets.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- The most recent one is from October 2026.
- This comes up 13.1× more often in r/cats than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Considering allergy shots3 people mentionedDid this help you?
- 2Taking over-the-counter or prescription allergy medications such as Benadryl and RyaltrisDid this help you?
- 3Using specialized food additives and specific cat foods like Purina Pro Plan LiveClear or PacagenDid this help you?
- 4Wiping the cats down with dander-removing wipesDid this help you?
- 5Using air purifiers and increasing vacuuming frequencyDid this help you?
- 6Brushing the cat regularlyDid this help you?
- 7Taking over-the-counter antihistamines like Zyrtec or AllegraDid this help you?
- 8Using air purifiers and upgrading HVAC filtersDid this help you?
- 9Separating pets from certain rooms in the houseDid this help you?
- 10Getting allergy shots or nasal spraysDid this help you?
- 11Feeding cats specialized food designed to reduce allergensDid this help you?
- 12Trying medication prescribed by a doctorDid this help you?
- 13Using a cream for contact dermatitisDid this help you?
- 14Attempting to ignore or avoid petting themDid this help you?
- 15Wiping cats with a damp paper towel dailyDid this help you?
- 16Washing hands after contactDid this help you?
- 17Using saline nasal drops and eye dropsDid this help you?
- 18Unsubscribing from cat content communities to avoid triggersDid this help you?
- 19Hypo-allergenic cat foodsDid this help you?
- 20Grooming and regular brushingDid this help you?
- 21Intensive cleaning and vacuumingDid this help you?
- 22Restricting the cat from certain rooms to create cat-free spaces for the childDid this help you?
- 23Visiting the partner's home previously despite allergiesDid this help you?
- 24Taking various allergy medications or starting a regimen of allergy shots.Did this help you?
- 25Using specialized dander-reducing shampoos on the pet.Did this help you?
- 26Feeding the pet specific allergen-reducing diets.Did this help you?
- 27Intensely cleaning, sweeping, and mopping the house multiple times a week.Did this help you?
- 28Temporarily sending the pet to a board and train program.Did this help you?
- 29Accepting the sunk cost and returning the pet to the breeder for rehoming.Did this help you?
- 30Taking daily antihistamines or allergy medications like ZyrtecDid this help you?
- 31Feeding the cat allergen-reducing diets like Purina LiveClear or adding Pacagen powder to their foodDid this help you?
- 32Seeking out specific breeds known for lower allergen levels, like SiberiansDid this help you?
- 33Running HEPA air purifiers and vacuuming upholstery frequentlyDid this help you?
- 34Keeping the cat completely out of the bedroomDid this help you?
- 35Having a family member without allergies take on the brushing dutiesDid this help you?
- 36Adopting female cats or mostly white cats, which some find trigger fewer allergiesDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Met with the doc today. He gave me some meds (apparently I have asthma - thank you cats) and doing that before we discuss shots. I also get contact dermatitis when I pet them, so he gave me a cream”source ↗
“well after about a week my husband notices he’s feeling clogged up sneezing coughing the works.. so we make a compromise the kittens can stay but they can’t be in the room.. he literally can’t breathe”source ↗
“so the reason for my post is I’m asking if anybody knows if an air purifier will work for someone who is allergic? And also asking for help to get one because my budget has beyond exceeded my limit.. or else I’ve been told they will all have to go.. so I’m brainstorming here”source ↗
“Unfortunately, I had to rehome my cats a month ago due to severe allergies and other reasons out of my control”source ↗
“Every time I see cats it reminds me of them and I’m sad again.”source ↗
“I’m in a bunch of cat subreddits and it makes me super happy to see everyone’s furry friends but also so sad.”source ↗
“I have always been super allergic to cats, but then I got a kitten and got used to him over time.”source ↗
“nearly 3 weeks into having him it’s still just as bad”source ↗
“My son is allergic to our cat, who has been with us since before he was born.”source ↗
“For those of you with young children who are allergic to cats, have you tried anything that has worked in the long-term where you were able to keep your beloved pet?”source ↗
“gf is actually quite allergic to cats but moving in and I’m not getting rid of them. need practical solutions to allergies that people have found worked.”source ↗
“I havent found anything that helps with my allergies to cats unfortunately. I mean other then benadryl and yeah it knocks me out too.”source ↗
“We've had the older cat for 10 years and my allergies haven't reduced much, but my eyes no longer swell shut without an antihistamine on board.”source ↗
“I just feel it’s unfair to him cus ever since we moved in together he’s had to tolerate all my rescues .. and I’m truly not in a position to be doing rescues to begin with . I just have a big heart small pockets .. lol”source ↗
“We had a cat at home since before I was born! To this day, I'm quite allergic to animals except for my own.”source ↗
“I have been allergic of them since I was a kid. I do ok with kittens, but for some reason once they are older- I have itchy eyes and skin, sneeze a lot. ... My daughter is 6. She would love nothing more than a cat. Considering getting one based on real cat owner advice.”source ↗
“I have cat allergies, I mean puffy eyes always sneezing and a constant running nose. I have 3 cats and work at an animal shelter. 😂”source ↗
“I had light allergies when I got my cat and adjusted thankfully. At first I had to take allergy meds.”source ↗
“Daughter witnessed someone pitching a cat out of a car window. I’m allergic to cats. Guess who has the cat? Yeah, I take Zyrtec.”source ↗
“I spent nearly a year researching, planning, and preparing for our puppy, I’ve always wanted this breed of dog and truly thought we were prepared enough but I didn’t expect to run into severe allergies.”source ↗
“I’m covered in hives head to toe, my vision is so bad, every part of my body is itchy, I’ve had a migraine nearly every day for the last two months and I just don’t know that I can take it anymore.”source ↗
“I’m so overwhelmed and can’t give him the attention he needs because of it all. I truly feel like the worst person in the world, he deserves so much love and care.”source ↗
“It takes 2+ years of sensitization to even lower allergies, and not everyone who goes through years is not allergic then - ask me how I know.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 2Why do outdoor allergies cause throat closing and sudden swelling?
- 8Why does cat itching come right back after stopping steroids?
- 3How to clean your house without triggering pet panic
- 5How to get a cat with food allergies to eat
- 12Why is my kitten always obsessed with food?
- 4How to choose a safe flea treatment after a bad reaction