Cat allergy is the most common animal allergy and is a strong risk factor for asthma. In fact, cat allergy was found to account
for almost a third of all asthma cases in a 2007 study performed by the National Institute of Health.
What causes cat allergy?
A common misconception is that cat allergic individuals are allergic to cat hair and long haired cats are more allergenic than
short haired cats. However, this is not the case. The allergy is not cause by the hair itself, but cat proteins that stick on the
hair. The major cat allergen, affecting up to 80% of cat allergic sufferers, is a tiny protein found in saliva and sweat called Fel
d 1. Another important cat allergen, affecting over 20% of cat allergic individuals, is Cat albumin (called Fel d 2), which is
found in cat urine and skin dander. As the cat grooms itself, it will spread the allergens over its fur by licking itself. All cats
produce allergens, although some cats produce more than others. Overall, male cats produce more allergens than female
cats, but the difference is not significant enough to make a difference for individuals allergic to cats.
Cat allergens are transferred from place to place by floating in the air and by sticking on clothing and hair, making them
detectable in locations that are free of animals, such as shopping malls, movie theaters, hotels, and doctor offices. In fact,
several studies showed that:
How to minimize cat allergens in the home
Removing the cat from the house ideal. Keeping the cat out of the bedroom is not very effective since cat allergen is
transferred from room to room by the owner’s clothing. Remember that it can take a good 6 months before the cat allergen
levels are low enough that they will not longer be a problem.
If removing the cat from the house is not possible, some studies demonstrate that doing all the following measures together
may help
Diagnosis of Cat allergy
Cat allergy is diagnosed with a skin or blood test.
Treatment of cat allergy
Along with avoidance, medications such as antihistamines (Benadryl, Allegra, Claritin, Zyrtec,…) and steroid nose sprays
(Flonase, Nasonex, Rhinocort,…) can help minimize allergy symptoms. Allergy shots (immunotherapy) has been
demonstrated to be effective for the long term treatment of cat allergies.
updated 9 Sept 2009
Sources:
Arbes S et al. Asthma cases attributable to atopy: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey J
Allergy Clin Immunol 207;120:1139-45.
Custovic A et al. Controlling indoor allergens Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2002;88:432-442.
Björnsdottir US et al. The Effect of reducing levels of cat allergen (Fel d 1) on clinical symptoms in patients with cat allergy. Ann
Allergy Asthma Immunol 2003:91:189-194.
Egmar AC et al. Deposition of cat, dog, and horse allergen over time in public environments-a model of dispersion. Allergy
1998;53:957-961.
Wood RA et al. The effect of cat removal on allergen content in the household dust samples. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1989;83:
730-734.
Allergen immunotherapy: A practice parameter second update J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;120:s26-s85
for almost a third of all asthma cases in a 2007 study performed by the National Institute of Health.
What causes cat allergy?
A common misconception is that cat allergic individuals are allergic to cat hair and long haired cats are more allergenic than
short haired cats. However, this is not the case. The allergy is not cause by the hair itself, but cat proteins that stick on the
hair. The major cat allergen, affecting up to 80% of cat allergic sufferers, is a tiny protein found in saliva and sweat called Fel
d 1. Another important cat allergen, affecting over 20% of cat allergic individuals, is Cat albumin (called Fel d 2), which is
found in cat urine and skin dander. As the cat grooms itself, it will spread the allergens over its fur by licking itself. All cats
produce allergens, although some cats produce more than others. Overall, male cats produce more allergens than female
cats, but the difference is not significant enough to make a difference for individuals allergic to cats.
Cat allergens are transferred from place to place by floating in the air and by sticking on clothing and hair, making them
detectable in locations that are free of animals, such as shopping malls, movie theaters, hotels, and doctor offices. In fact,
several studies showed that:
- 56% of homes that never had cats contained levels of cat allergens high enough to sensitize people to cat allergy.
- 16% of homes that never had cats contained levels of cat allergens high enough to cause asthma symptoms.
- Within 3 weeks, new mattresses in stores had the same level of cat allergens as those in houses where cats used to
live. - It may take up to 6 months after removal of a cat for the bulk of cat allergens to disappear from the home.
- It can take up to 5 years for cat allergens in mattresses to decrease to levels found in homes without cats.
How to minimize cat allergens in the home
Removing the cat from the house ideal. Keeping the cat out of the bedroom is not very effective since cat allergen is
transferred from room to room by the owner’s clothing. Remember that it can take a good 6 months before the cat allergen
levels are low enough that they will not longer be a problem.
If removing the cat from the house is not possible, some studies demonstrate that doing all the following measures together
may help
- Minimize carpeting. Go for linoleum, tile, or hardwood floors.
- Minimize upholstered furniture. Go for leather furniture.
- Vacuum floors, carpets, and furniture weekly
- Wet mop floors weekly
- Wipe walls weekly. Dust cleaners such as the Swiffer® and Grab-It™ dust cloths work quite well.
- Wash the cat at least weekly – this will help decrease the allergens on the skin and hair.
- Wash bedding at 130˚ F (60˚ C) weekly
- Keep the cat out of all bedrooms
- Close closets at all times when not in use
Diagnosis of Cat allergy
Cat allergy is diagnosed with a skin or blood test.
Treatment of cat allergy
Along with avoidance, medications such as antihistamines (Benadryl, Allegra, Claritin, Zyrtec,…) and steroid nose sprays
(Flonase, Nasonex, Rhinocort,…) can help minimize allergy symptoms. Allergy shots (immunotherapy) has been
demonstrated to be effective for the long term treatment of cat allergies.
updated 9 Sept 2009
Sources:
Arbes S et al. Asthma cases attributable to atopy: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey J
Allergy Clin Immunol 207;120:1139-45.
Custovic A et al. Controlling indoor allergens Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2002;88:432-442.
Björnsdottir US et al. The Effect of reducing levels of cat allergen (Fel d 1) on clinical symptoms in patients with cat allergy. Ann
Allergy Asthma Immunol 2003:91:189-194.
Egmar AC et al. Deposition of cat, dog, and horse allergen over time in public environments-a model of dispersion. Allergy
1998;53:957-961.
Wood RA et al. The effect of cat removal on allergen content in the household dust samples. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1989;83:
730-734.
Allergen immunotherapy: A practice parameter second update J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;120:s26-s85
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Cat Allergy
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