Can a second cat activate allergies?

[bicentennial_baby]

May seem like an odd question, but, Sniffa used to be mildly allergic to cats and dogs, due to living in a no-pet household for 10 years. Once we got Kitteh, he was fine, no reaction at all.

Since we've had Milk, he has been SO congested, runny nose, sneezing and chest congested, it's nuts. He thought it was a cold at first, but now we're thinking it might be the additional cat and her dander, etc. Cat x2.

Is that possible? He took Claritin before bed to see if that helps. We're not planning on getting rid of Milk if that is the case, we're just wondering if that could be it, so we can mitigate the problem. I feel so bad for him. x(

Thanks. :)

[ThomCat]

1. Yes. Absolutely!

Someone with mild cat allergies can be allergic to some cats but not others, and can have a threshold of cat dander. Below that threshold he'll be okay, but above that threshold he quickly ends up miserable.

If you have a Heppa air filter that might help a lot. You just need to keep it running.

[bicentennial_baby]

3. I think this may be the problem...

Add to that, most of the last few weeks, Milk has been sleeping in the bedroom with us, with the door shut. Ugh.

Guess it's time to get her out of there and to get a Hepa filter. We have a good vacuum, so I'll go through the room with that too.

[flvegan]

2. Yes. I'm highly allergic to dogs, cats, etc.

It's not an activation, but an exacerbation. sniffa should maybe see an allergist.

I was on Flonase and Allegra-D for a couple years. Now, (knock wood) I take nothing. I'm allergic to everything they tested me for. I had the wagon-wheel poke test in my back, too.

[bicentennial_baby]

4. Ok, I'll talk to him about that

He has good insurance, so he should be able to get in to see somebody. Thanks :)

[lizziegrace]

5. I agree with Thom

the second cat could be enough to send him over the edge. That and the time of year (if he has seasonal allergies)

I've been using Chloraseptic Allergen Block (tiny white tube with a blue cap) in addition to all the other allergy stuff I already take. It seems to keep me from getting stuffed up and I'm allergic to everything except maple trees and feathers.

Good luck. :hug:

[LisaL]

6. Yes it is possible.

Might not be because it's a second cat, but because he is allergic to this particular cat.

[jobycom]

7. Yeah, I agree with the others, there's a threshhold, and not only for cats.

I have two cats, and I've never had noticable allergies around them. But when the cedar pollen is high and I'm barely holding it together, my cats can trigger allergies if they get too close.

Vacuum carpets and rugs, change AC filters, dust, change bedding if kittie sleeps there... Might be enough without the Claritan.

Also, it could just be pollen and stuff. It's that time of year, and the cat hair and dander will already reduce tolerance.

[lizziegrace]

8. And

Fabreze with allergen reducers seems to help me a lot. I also put allergy control covers on my mattress and pillows for the dust mites...

And I invested in a Dyson. It's amazing what comes out of the carpet...