are cats bad for asthma

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Allergic Asthma Triggers

Your cat’s urine, saliva or dander are all potential triggers for your asthma. Urine – Your cat’s urine contains a protein called Felis Domesticus 1 (Fel D1), which can trigger asthma symptoms in some people when inhaled.

One of the best ways to manage asthma related to cats is to avoid them, but if a person has a cat at home, there are treatments and cleaning techniques that may help them manage symptoms.

Allergen levels will be higher in homes that have more than one cat. Factors such as the length of a cat’s hair, the amount of hair shedding, the sex of the cat, and the amount of time the cat spends indoors do not affect levels of allergens inside a home. All types of cats produce allergens.

Allergens in the fur, skin, and saliva of cats can cause an allergic reaction in some people, which can trigger symptoms of asthma such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

All cats produce many allergens, a type of proteins that cause an allergic reaction in some people. These allergens occur in cat dander (dead skin cells), urine, and saliva.

Even in cases where there are no overt signs of symptoms getting worse when exposed to allergens, anyone with asthma should think about visiting an allergist to find possible triggers.

How are allergic reactions caused by cats?

Children who are susceptible to specific proteins, or allergens, may develop an allergic reaction. Cat allergens can be found in its urine, saliva, and dander—dried skin flakes that stick to their fur or enter the air. All surfaces are exposed to the allergens as they travel through the air on sticky, microscopic particles. That’s why it’s so difficult to keep cat allergens out of a house. When an allergic child inhales cat allergens, they may experience hives, runny nose, itchy eyes, scratchy throats, and/or a flare-up of asthma symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

​How can I tell if my child is allergic to cats?

If you notice your child tends to start sniffling, sneezing or rubbing their eyes around cats, that could signal a cat allergy. But the best way to determine if your child is allergic to cats is through allergy testing, either with a skin test or a blood test.

Are some cats hypoallergenic?

Since all cats produce cat allergens, there is no such thing as a non-allergic cat (or dog, for that matter).

FAQ

Can I get a cat if I have asthma?

Lots of people with asthma are allergic to animals. Some can keep their pets — and others can’t. It depends on a person’s asthma and if having a pet (like a dog, cat, or even a parrot!) makes symptoms worse.

Can a cat make asthma worse?

Pets with fur or feathers are more likely to trigger allergic asthma. This includes cats, dogs, rabbits and birds. Scaly animals such as fish, frogs, turtles, lizards and snakes do not shed skin flakes (dander) and are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction.

Can cat hair cause breathing problems?

People suffering from pet allergies will have symptoms consistent with hay fever. This includes a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and shortness of breath. Coming into physical contact with pet dander can cause contact dermatitis, or a skin rash, hives or trigger a person’s asthma.

Can cat litter cause asthma in humans?

Respiratory Issues Dirty litter boxes can cause asthma, headaches, pneumonia, and other respiratory ailments in humans. Those with weakened immune systems are most at risk, along with children.