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 people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Taking over-the-counter or prescription allergy medications such as Benadryl and Ryaltris
- 2Using specialized food additives and specific cat foods like Purina Pro Plan LiveClear or Pacagen
- 3Wiping the cats down with dander-removing wipes
- 4Using air purifiers and increasing vacuuming frequency
- 5Brushing the cat regularly
- 6Taking over-the-counter antihistamines like Zyrtec or Allegra
- 7Using air purifiers and upgrading HVAC filters
- 8Separating pets from certain rooms in the house
- 9Getting allergy shots or nasal sprays
- 10Feeding cats specialized food designed to reduce allergens
- 11Trying medication prescribed by a doctor
- 12Using a cream for contact dermatitis
- 13Considering allergy shots
- 14Attempting to ignore or avoid petting them
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, 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 ↗
“nearly 3 weeks into having him it’s still just as bad”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 ↗