Here’s Your Step-by-Step Guide to Reducing Cat Allergens Naturally
Are you tired of the constant battle between your love for your cat and your body’s annoying reactions? Most cat owners are dealing with the same problem. The struggle is real, and it shows that your immune system sees a specific protein found in your cat’s saliva, skin, and dander as a threat. The worst part is that symptoms can occur without direct contact with your pet.
If left untreated, allergies can develop into more serious health issues, such as allergic asthma, which is a condition that can affect your well-being and even put your life in danger. And yet, despite the sneezing, itching, and wheezing, most people don’t want to give up their cats.
Cats are not just our pets. They are great companions, offering us emotional support. They listen when no one does and know exactly how to make the worst day better just by curling up beside you.
So, what can you do? While it’s impossible to eliminate cat allergens completely, you can still drastically reduce them. Curious how? Continue reading to find out more.
8 Simple Ways to Keep Your Allergies Under Control
1. Improve your cleaning routine
As you already know, allergens love to hide in the most interesting places. You can find them in the air, on the carpets, curtains, and even on your clothes. So, one of the most powerful tools when it comes to allergens is to clean efficiently.
The best would be to start with the floors. Make sure to vacuum every carpet at least twice a week. Also, you might want to check out the HEPA filter vacuums, which are considered the best for those suffering from allergies. While the traditional vacuums usually stir the allergens up, the vacuums with HEPA filters trap them.
When you are done with the carpets, you can get to the floors, which should be swept daily with a microfiber mop. It will significantly reduce particles that settle.
Before you get to the next step, you should also pay attention to all the soft surfaces. Make sure to wash pillow covers, throw blankets, and curtains weekly. Allergens love to cling to fabrics like glue.
2. Groom your cat the right way
We all know how terrible it can be to wash our pets, especially our cats, but trust me when I say that regular grooming is the key to an allergy-free life. It’s one of the most effective ways to control allergens.
You don’t need to soak them weekly, but daily brushing is essential to help remove loose fur and dander before it spreads through the house. The best would be to do it in a ventilated area, and after you use a specially designed brush, you should continue with a wipe-down using some grooming wipes.
If your cat tolerates it, a bath every few weeks can significantly lower allergen levels. However, if that is too stressful, you can also stick to brushing and wiping. Create a routine, and you will transform grooming into a great bonding time with your pet.
Don’t forget to wash your hands and change your clothes after each grooming session. This way, you’ll prevent allergens from following you around all day.
3. Purify the air
I know that most people don’t believe in the power of air purifiers, but the right ones can significantly improve the air flow. I recommend you invest in a quality air purifier for each room, especially in the ones your cat spends the most time in.
If you are highly allergic, make sure to keep windows open during high pollen seasons and always turn purifiers up when vacuuming or cleaning. I usually combine them with humidifiers to prevent dander from drying out and becoming more airborne.
Last but not least, you should also consider upgrading your home’s ventilation. Even something as simple as cracking a window after brushing your cat can let all the lingering allergens escape.
4. Choose the right fabrics
Avoid plush velvet! I used to have a plush velvet couch, which I was basically in love with, but I learned that it was basically a dander magnet. If you are an allergic patient, make sure to switch to furniture with smooth and wipeable surfaces. For example, surfaces like leather, faux leather, or even tightly woven microfiber are way easier to clean.
Opt for washable materials and low-pile rugs that you can vacuum regularly. Anything heavy and high-pile would represent a problem for your allergies.
Nowadays, there are a lot of allergen-proof products. You can easily find covers for pillows and cushions that will not put your life in danger. The best part about these products is that they act as barriers, trapping allergens before they settle into the fabric underneath.
5. Don’t let your cat enter your bedroom
You might find it difficult, but you should definitely create a no-cat zone. This is one of the most useful strategies, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions for me and my cat. I must admit that I didn’t own a cat for that long; my entire life was filled with dogs, but I know how hard it can be to deal with allergens and cats.
Unfortunately, I was one of the owners who basically needed to give up on their pets. My asthma got worse, and it was very hard to keep under control, so I decided to let my daughter adopt my sweet baby. It was a happy ending kind of story because I was still able to play with her while also keeping my home tidy and clean.
6. Avoid kissing your cat
I know, I know. It might be hard for you to change how you interact with your pet, but it’s a must, especially when you are dealing with allergies. You should establish a safe zone where your cat is not allowed in your home. The best would be to keep your bedroom as clean as possible. It should be your sanctuary and an allergen-free place.
Keep the door shut at all times and use hypoallergenic sheets and bed covers. Also, remember to wash your bedding weekly in hot water.
7. Use vinegar
Cat allergens love fabrics. So, basically, all your clothes and items are contaminated. A great way to break down allergens naturally is by adding a half-cup of white vinegar to your wash. This method is very simple, but also extremely effective. And don’t worry about the scent of vinegar! It will not affect your clothes.
8. Use supplements, sprays, and new tech
Did you know that nowadays, you can purchase cat food additives that reduce allergens in saliva? They are vet-approved and will not harm your pet. The best part about them is that they can reduce Fel d 1 production by up to 50%. Isn’t that amazing?
Also, make sure you consider anti-allergen sprays because they can also be extremely useful. You can use them on your furniture because their role is to neutralize dander instead of just masking it.
Last but not least, I’ve also got something for the tech-savvy owners. Have you heard about the robot vacuums with HEPA filters? They can help you maintain your home tidy and clean by removing all the daily hair fallout. The best part is that you don’t even need to lift a finger, because the robots will do their job.
The bottom line
As an asthmatic patient, I know exactly how challenging it can be to live with allergies. The constant battle is overwhelming, and even with the right strategies, it’s sometimes impossible to make the symptoms fade. However, you don’t have to live in fear. Do your best and try all the available methods; you should be able to find one that works in your case.
By cleaning smart, grooming with intention, and adjusting your habits, you are most likely to succeed and gain control over the allergens that once ruled your space. The process will not be easy, but the most important thing is to achieve progress. At the end of the day, your cat isn’t your enemy. Allergens are. You have all the tools to fight back. So, don’t give up.
Before leaving, let us know how you deal with your allergies. Is there any secret you discovered and would love to share with us? Feel free to write about your experiences in the comment section found below.
Are you interested in learning more about cats? Here’s another great article that can be found on our website: 5 Clever Tricks to Get Your Cat to Drink More Water
