Cat Allergy and Kid Questions - Plus an awesome Cat Video!
So does anyone have any real experience with breeds that supposedly reduce or remove the amount of reaction to a cat allergy?
My wife is allergic, and my son has been asking for a pet (or a sister, let's just say the pet is far more likely). He has a condition where they recommend pets as well, and I've had cats for as long as I can remember so I prefer them. (Can't stand dogs).
Anyway, Siberians, Russian Blues, and others claim to be less allergenic than other breeds. Anyone actually experience this?
Or anyone have one of these breeds and would be willing to let my wife come over and smell your cat?
With respect to kids, my son can forget to be gentle at times and I'm wondering if at 4.5 he's a bit young for a cat.. if I should get him a fish for now until he's a bit older.
And in thanks, I give you a cat riding a roomba.
__________________ Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position.
But certainty is an absurd one.
Lol, they're not very methodical, but when they have the entire day to do a place I hear they can do a pretty good job.
One other question would be is it better to get a kitten, or maybe an adult cat. An adult cat might have less change of have its temperament changed by a preschooler chasing it around, whereas a kitten might grow up to be skittish. My sister's cat runs away from everything, and her boy is more easy going than mine.
__________________ Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position.
But certainty is an absurd one.
I never met a cat that didn't cause me respiratory distress. Never.
__________________ I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love." - John Steinbeck
I think an adult cat might be better for a child that young as it won't mind a little kid chasing it as much as a little kitten would. The cats behavior wont be shaped by the behaviour of your child...so it wont grow up to be nervous or a scaredy-cat.
In terms of breeds...Im not sure what is better, but I know there's a hairless breed that is supposed to be good for people with allergies....
Maybe if I tell my wife it's a hypoallergenic cat the placebo effect will kick in?
Having a dog is like having a kid that isn't potty trained. Forever.
How does your wife react when she's exposed?
If her reactions are minimal, you might be able to get away with it I guess.
My reactions aren't pleasant and there were a few times I thought I was in big trouble too.
__________________ I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love." - John Steinbeck
If her reactions are minimal, you might be able to get away with it I guess.
My reactions aren't pleasant and there were a few times I thought I was in big trouble too.
Her reactions aren't overly bad, she gets stuffed up and her eyes get red after a day there. We go over to my sister's house from time to time and there are times when she doesn't even mention it.
There's supposedly immunotherepy as well to increase tolerance.
That and we could probably put some HEPA filters in and give the cat periodic baths. Keep it out of our bedroom all the time.
My biggest fear is we get one, she reacts poorly, and we eventually have to give the cat away.
__________________ Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position.
But certainty is an absurd one.
Got our dog as a puppy, in the house once pissed in it a couple times. Small dumb dogs will rap everywhere forever, unless you are a dog whisperer, get a dog with a brain larger than a walnut and it will not crap in the house.
They still crap somewhere where you have to take them, or pick up after them, which is just as bad.
Plus they want attention all the time. Cats are great, they have their own lives.
__________________ Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position.
But certainty is an absurd one.
Go to a place that fosters cats and finds them homes and ask them if they have any that are supposed to cause less allergies. They wont make up stories just to get you to take a cat, they always want to place a cat in a good home. And then adopt the kitty on a trial basis.
They are usually pretty knowledgeable.
Somewhere on CP is a thread about cats..in June I was looking for one and one of you awesome CPers posted a link to an animal (cat) rescue group in Calgary..I ended up going to their website and they look pretty respectable and knowledgeable. I got my kitty from a similar organization in California.
I think an adult cat might be better for a child that young as it won't mind a little kid chasing it as much as a little kitten would. The cats behavior wont be shaped by the behaviour of your child...so it wont grow up to be nervous or a scaredy-cat.
In terms of breeds...Im not sure what is better, but I know there's a hairless breed that is supposed to be good for people with allergies....
No way, if you get the wrong adult cat, your little boy is going to have some awful scratches. Bad enough for the adult cat to be moved to a new environment, new environment with active young boy will be double trouble. On the other hand, if your little boy is rough, that will change in a hurry((
A kitten usually adapts to its environment as it grows. We always got kittens for our kids, not one problem. We had dogs too, if I had to choose, dog all day long. They just bond so well with the family and there is nothing like the love between a little kid and his dog.
You've never owned a cat that loved to ride around on your shoulders!
Yeah I get the kid / dog thing.. he can get a dog when he's old enough to walk it and take care of it. I'm not at ALL interested in taking care of a dog, I have to deal with enough of it as it is with my neighbours' near sighed, stick dumb crap factory.
Any breeds of dogs that use a litter box?
__________________ Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position.
But certainty is an absurd one.
No matter what age your boy is when you get him a pet, trust me, you are going to be doing some of the caring for that pet. Hate to pop your bubble but it will be a fact of life.
My kids are 33 and 30 now, and they had cats, dogs, guinea pigs, fish, rabbits, even a gopher and a pidgeon, some orphaned starlings, and while they certainly did care for their pets, they never did 100% of the work required.
Last edited by redforever; 11-18-2008 at 11:06 PM.
Her reactions aren't overly bad, she gets stuffed up and her eyes get red after a day there. We go over to my sister's house from time to time and there are times when she doesn't even mention it.
There's supposedly immunotherepy as well to increase tolerance.
That and we could probably put some HEPA filters in and give the cat periodic baths. Keep it out of our bedroom all the time.
My biggest fear is we get one, she reacts poorly, and we eventually have to give the cat away.
After a day? Wow.
30 minutes and I'm toast!
__________________ I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love." - John Steinbeck
Cat Allergy and Kid Questions - Plus an awesome Cat Video!
((
