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My mom has allergies and a stray who leaves much dander. What helps aside from cleaning alot?

I have always had cats and learn alot from them but this allergy problem has me concerned because my mom is 76 w/ severe allergies but she can't let the cat go. She can't clean alot and wants to know what some of the best products are like shedstop,and grooming aids such as brushes, grooming gloves, etc.. Jeffers pet and Care-a-lot catalogs have so much it's overwhelming. It does bother her to brush Shelby because of the flying dander. She is not a long hair but rather just a thick coat!! I just talked to Mom this morning and her allergies sound awful. But yet, a responsible pet owner will try everything before giving up. And this she is. Can you please help me to help her. She is not able to vacuum or clean much because house is so big and she just had major surgery on both feet so will be slow going for 6 months at least. Any help would be greatfully appreciated.


Asked by Member 793114 on Apr 13th 2009 Tagged allergies, asthma, dander, products, brushing in Home Grooming
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Sassy

Vacuuming is the best to reduce the amount of cat dander in the air. If she isn't able to do that she should talk to her doctor to see if there are allergy meds that she can take. I just had a friend staying with me who was allergic to cats. She spoke to the pharmacist and got some eye drops and one of the over the counter meds for indoor/outdoor allergies and it really helped with the symptoms.


Sassy answered on 4/13/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Guest

Spring pollen etc is probably worsening her allergies. Try using Fabreze allergen spray. it helps my sister when she visits. We spray the furniture and living area. She probably should not brush the cat, could you help her out with brushing and vaccuming?


Member 628763 answered on 4/13/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Allie

My ex-husband had severe allergies and it helped to run a HEPA air cleaner in the house at all times. We also had no carpet in most of the rooms. Eventually his allergies began to cause an asthmatic reaction and my cats had to move in with my Mom. (previous cats...previous life...I don't want people thinking I was cruel enough to subject an asthmatic to my 5 long haired cats I have now. LOL). And kudos to your Mom for caring enough about Shelby to keep trying.


Allie answered on 4/13/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Minuit AKA Miss Meany

You can try some over-the-counter allergy medications, talk to the pharmacist and see what they recommend. Or she could try allergy shots, in this case she needs to talk to her doctor.
Use a air purifier.
Try and keep the cat out of her bedroom. Reduce the amount of dander where she will be spenting quite a few hours.
Your correct, your Mom should NOT be brushing the cat. After petting the cat a good hand wash is needed.
Really the best way to control dander is a good vacuuming at least twice a week. Carpets, furniture, curtains. What about having friends or family pitching in and helping her with the household duties? What about hiring a maid service or a teenager to do the duty?
All my best and I hope your Mom finds a solution quickly.



Minuit AKA Miss Meany answered on 4/15/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Lola

Well, it doesn't sound like your Mom is up to doing much grooming (I don't have a cat allergy, but when I groom my cats, I get fur in my eyes, which makes them itch), so she might need some help with the heavy-duty grooming and the vaccuuming. Short-haired moggies tend to have a dense undercoat that sheds like crazy. The Zoom Groom does a great job on getting rid of the undercoat and other dead fur. It's cheap and most cats like the massage effect. The Furminator is more expensive but also gets rid of lots of hair. Only a metal comb will get down to the roots of the hair, but not all cats like it. Finally, the occasional bath will get out gobs and gobs of hair. My Maine Coons put up with this, but not all cats will. However, bathing is an often overlooked method for controlling shedding, hairballs, and dander problems. If you do try a bath, I'd advise you or someone else to do it for your Mom.


Lola answered on 4/16/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Namerovsky

I bathe the cat once every week or two and that almost eliminates the allergy thing. I can tell when it's time because i start to get itchy again.


Namerovsky answered on 7/7/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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