Are You Allergic to Cats?

Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD on May 20, 2024
Written by R. Morgan Griffin, Alyson Powell Key
7 min read

Life with cat allergy symptoms – whether they're your or a family member's – can raise a lot of questions. Could an allergy to cats explain your son's never-ending cold symptoms? Will you regret giving in to your daughter's demands for a kitten, despite your allergies? Will a so-called hypoallergenic cat allow you to have the pet you've always wanted without making you a sneezing, sniffling mess?

Read on to learn what you need to know about cat allergies, from causes to treatments to avoidance.

Allergies due to cats can cause a range of symptoms that cause irritation and affect your breathing and skin.

Symptoms of cat allergies in adults

Symptoms of cat allergies can include:

  • Coughing and wheezing
  • Hives or a rash on the chest and face
  • Red, itchy eyes
  • Redness of the skin where a cat has scratched, bitten, or licked you
  • A runny, itchy, stuffy nose
  • Sneezing

Symptoms of an allergy caused by a cat might turn up in just a few minutes or take hours to appear. 

Cat allergy rash

Also called allergic dermatitis, allergies caused by cats can also trigger skin symptoms. You may have hives, eczema, or itchy skin.

Cat allergy symptoms in babies and toddlers

Kids who are allergic to cats have similar symptoms as adults, including:

  • Itchy eyes
  • Sneezing
  • A runny nose
  • Throat irritation
  • Asthma symptoms (cough, wheezing, shortness of breath)

Severe cat allergy symptoms

Symptoms of cat allergies can sometimes turn serious. About 20% to 30% of people with allergic asthma have severe flare-ups after coming in contact with a cat. Call a doctor or get emergency help if you're wheezing, you can't breathe through your nose, you have trouble sleeping, or have shortness of breath.

About 10% of the U.S. population has pet allergies, and cats are among the most common culprits. Cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies. But contrary to what you might think, it's not the fur or hair that's the real problem. People with cat allergies are really allergic to proteins in the cat's saliva, urine, and dander (dried flakes of skin). You're also more likely to have a pet allergy if someone else in your family also has one.

How do these tiny proteins cause such a big allergic reaction in the body? People with allergies have oversensitive immune systems. Their bodies mistake harmless things – like cat dander – for dangerous invaders and attack them as they would bacteria or viruses. The symptoms of the allergy are the side effects of your body's assault on the allergen, or trigger.

Keep in mind that even if you don't have actual cat allergy symptoms, your cat can still indirectly cause your allergies to flare up. Outside cats can bring in pollen, mold, and other allergens on their fur.

 

Although cat allergy symptoms may seem pretty obvious, it's not always the cat that causes them. It's a good idea to get proof from your doctor. After all, you wouldn't want to blame Mr. Whiskers unjustly.

Cat allergy test

Your doctor can do a skin or blood test to see if you're allergic. During a skin test, the doctor pricks small amounts of purified allergen extracts, like those from animals, into your skin. You usually take the test on your forearm and sometimes on your upper back. After 15 minutes, your doctor or nurse checks your skin for allergic reactions. For instance, if you're allergic to cats, you'll see a red, itchy bump where the cat extract was pricked.

Sometimes, a skin test isn't possible due to skin conditions or certain medications. Instead, your doctor might suggest a blood test. This test checks your blood for specific allergy-causing antibodies related to common allergens, including animals. It can also show how sensitive you are to an allergen.

Keep in mind that allergy tests aren't always accurate. The doctor may also want you to try living without a cat for a few months to see how it affects your allergy symptoms.

Unfortunately, there's no way to prevent an allergy. Some studies have shown that exposure to pets as a young child seems to lower your chances of forming pet allergies later. On the other hand, a child who already has allergic tendencies may get worse with exposure to a pet. You can usually control the symptoms of cat allergies with standard allergy drugs. Your doctor might suggest:

Cat allergy medicine

  • Antihistamines, which are available over the counter – like cetirizine (Zyrtec), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), fexofenadine (Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin), or some antihistamines such as azelastine (Astelin) that come in a nasal spray
  • Decongestants, like over-the-counter pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or allergy drugs that contain the ingredient pseudoephedrine, such as Allegra-D, Claritin-D, or Zyrtec-D
  • Nasal steroid sprays, which affect allergy or asthma symptoms in various ways, are a common treatment for allergies. Budesonide (Rhinocort), fluticasone (Flonase), and triamcinolone (Nasacort Allergy 24HR) are over-the-counter steroid sprays.

Cat allergy shots

Allergy shots are another option. But they don't always work well, and completing treatment can take years. Children under age 5 can't use them, but allergy shots can be a huge help to some people. Ask your doctor if they make sense for you.

Home remedies

You can also treat cat allergy symptoms with nasal irrigation. To clear out thick mucus and irritants from your sinuses, use a neti pot or a squeeze bottle with a saline rinse. If you're making the saline solution at home, use clean water, such as distilled, boiled and cooled, or filtered water. After each use, rinse the device with clean water and let it air dry.

While medical treatment can help control cat allergies, the best approach is simple: Avoid cats and their dander. Here are some tips.

Reduce exposure to cats

  • Protect yourself. When around cats, wear a mask with an N95 respirator, and wash your hands with soap and water if you touch them.
  • Beware of visitors who own cats. Even if your house guests leave their cats at home, they can bring the dander with them on their clothing and luggage. This indirect exposure can cause serious cat allergy symptoms in some people.
  • Plan. If you have to stay in a house with cats, ask that the cat be kept out of the room where you will sleep for a few weeks before arriving. Also, start taking allergy medication a few weeks beforehand. Once an allergic reaction starts, it can be tough to control, but taking medicine can prevent it from happening in the first place.

But what if you already own a cat? Here's the most sensible advice: If you or a family member has cat allergies, you shouldn't have a cat in the home.

Of course, such harsh advice may not be easy to follow. What if your kids have already fallen in love with a kitten? What if you intended to never, ever part with your cat? If the cat has to stay, there are other things you can try.

Use HEPA air filters

A central air cleaner and HEPA filters on the vents can help prevent cat dander from circulating throughout the house.

Bathe and brush the cat regularly

Experts aren't sure if bathing your cat really helps reduce the amount of allergen. But if it doesn't traumatize them too badly, you could try it and see if it lowers symptoms.

Reduce exposure to cat dander

Here are some other ideas for avoiding cat dander and allergy symptoms:

  • Keep your distance. Limit exposure to the cat. Certainly, another family member should take responsibility for the cat's care and do things like cleaning the litter box.
  • Restrict the cat to certain sections of the house. Don't allow your cat to roam free. Keep the cat out of your bedroom at all times.
  • Clean rigorously and often. Cat dander gets everywhere, so sweep and mop the floors, vacuum the rugs, and clean furniture regularly. Make sure to get a vacuum with a HEPA filter because regular filters may not be fine enough to catch allergens. Get rid of carpets and drapes that can trap dander.

Hypoallergenic cats

And what about so-called hypoallergenic cats? While some breeds – like the "hairless" sphynx – are said to be less likely to trigger symptoms of cat allergies than others, any cat has the potential to cause problems. This is true regardless of its breed, hair length, or how much it sheds. So if you know that you or another family member is allergic to cats, getting one – no matter what the breed – is not a good idea.

While these techniques might help, they may not be enough. As hard as it might be, if keeping your cat is putting your health – or a family member's health – at risk, you have to consider giving it up.

Whatever you do, don't assume that you can wait it out, that cat allergies will naturally get better over time. They might very well get worse. Out-of-control allergies can do more than make life miserable – they can increase the risk of asthma, which can be a serious disease.

So don't ignore the signs of cat allergies. Instead, see a doctor. Together, you can figure out the best way to tackle the problem.

Cat allergy symptoms happen due to proteins in a cat's saliva, urine, and dander, affecting around 10% of people in the U.S. Even if you're not allergic to cats, they can bring in other allergens from outside. While some breeds are "hypoallergenic," any cat has the potential to cause issues. Symptoms of a cat allergy include coughing, wheezing, itchy eyes, and skin irritation, often showing up quickly after contact. To confirm an allergy, consult a doctor for tests, and consider avoiding cats altogether if you or a family member is allergic. Treatment options include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal steroid sprays, and allergy shots, though prevention remains the best approach.