Cat Shampoo to relieve Allergies?

17 years ago

My allergies have really been kicking up lately, and unfortunately, one of the things I'm allergic to is my cats. I'm on multiple medications, I have wood floors that are swiffered regularly, I have special sheets on the bed, the whole shebang. I can't imagine bathing the two cats will help that much, but I'm ready to try anything at this point -- does anyone have any suggestions of shampoo that might help?

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Comments (4)

airforceguy
17 years ago
My ex was allergic to cats, used to bath the cats almost weekly with a special shampoo that was suppose to help. Can find them at most pet stores. I guess it helped. We went from a 1 cat household to a 2 cat household!! But what helps for 1, might not help for another. Bets of luck
Meghane
17 years ago
I suppose that since you are allergic to their dander, any anti-dander/seborrhea shampoo will work for your purposes. Although be careful about drying your cat's coat out too much. May need to use an after-bath moisturizer like Humilac to replace the essential oils in your cat's coat.

Have you tried allergy shots? My dog had terrible allergies and they worked for him. But I have a human friend that has tried them several times and it didn't help at all. From what I understand, they work in about 50% of dogs and humans.

I hope you start to feel better. I'm allergic to horses, but unfortunately can't avoid them sometimes in vet school. Knowing when I'm going to be exposed helps, because if I pre-load with diphenhydramine, I do OK. But then I can't sleep for 2 nights. I'm one of those people with a paradoxical excitement reaction to antihistamines. Lucky me.

If your drugs are not working, then you may have to switch them. Sometimes drugs just stop working- your body adjusts to them or whatever. There are several vets at school who swear by Singulair for their horse allregies, but it didn't help me at all. Must be one of those things.

I know allergies are such a PITA. Please con someone else into bathing and especially drying your cats for you, else you will just blow up with allergies. Good luck.
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rivkadr
Original Author
17 years ago
Have you tried allergy shots?

My health insurance won't cover them :(

If your drugs are not working, then you may have to switch them.

I've tried various things -- Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra, Flonase (and all the OTC stuff as well). I'm currently on both Flonase and the highest dose of Allegra, but it doesn't do much for me; nothing ever does, because I'm allergic to so many things.

because if I pre-load with diphenhydramine, I do OK. But then I can't sleep for 2 nights. I'm one of those people with a paradoxical excitement reaction to antihistamines.

Me too, unfortunately.

Please con someone else into bathing and especially drying your cats for you

I wish! It's a two person job, though, with both of them. They just don't tolerate it very well. We usually don't dry them -- we stick them in the bathroom for a few hours, and let them air dry. They won't let us get near them with the blow dryer...
dobesrule
17 years ago
There's a product called Allerpet C. it helps cut down on the dander and I'm thinking you can just wipe them down with it once a week. Should be able to find it or something similar at any pet store. My sister used the dog specific product and it worked great for her.

Lisa

Cat Shampoo to relieve Allergies?

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airforceguy

Meghane

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Cat Shampoo to relieve Allergies?

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airforceguy

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