HAVING CATS WHEN YOU HAVE ALLERGIES

Ever since I was a kid I've loved animals, especially cats and dogs.  Sadly, I found out early on that I'm allergic to cats, but it didn't stopped me from having them!  

When I was growing up in New York, my 3 Uncle's had a deli in the city.  They often had kittens in the back of the store.  Spaying and neutering wasn't a big thing back then and the Uncles didn't mind taking in stray cats.  My Uncles would give the cats scraps of deli meat, a saucer of milk, and one of their many food delivery boxes with a blanket to sleep in.  

Needless to say, this made for excellent lodgings for a kitty that found herself Pregnant In The City!  I'm pretty sure there was a secret network for wayward cats who were in the family way that led them straight to my Uncle's store!

Pregnant Cats In The City somehow managed to make their way to the NY City deli owned by my Uncles!

CAT ALLERGIES BE DARNED

When we visited my grandmother's house, I couldn't wait to stop by the deli, which was around the corner.  Not because I wanted the candy or chips they sold there, or because I wanted a bologna sandwich, but because I was always hopeful there would be kittens in the back! 

After hugging the Uncles the first words out of my mouth were always "Are there any kittens today?"  Many times I was not disappointed.  I would run to the back of the store to find the latest litter of kitties and plop myself down to play with them.  They were largely stray kittens but I was always able pick them up and play with them.  Invariably, I'd leave the deli with bright red, watery itchy eyes.  I didn't care, I was going to play with the kittens anyway and there was nothing anyone could do to stop me!

Back home on Long Island, stray cats often made their way into our yard.  When they did, we set out the welcome mat.  They had food, water, and blankets in a cardboard box to sleep in.  My cat allergies were always present, but again I didn't care.  I wanted to handle the cats and play with them.  I loved them all!

Adorable stray kitten from a litter of cats that ended up at my sister's house.

When I was finally old enough to get a place of my own, one of the first things I did was look for a kitten to adopt!  I unexpectedly ended up with two cats in a one bedroom apartment, wreaking havoc on my allergies.  You can read about my Accidental Pet Adoption here.  It got so bad that I had trouble breathing and ended up with asthma.

I finally had to see a doctor, and in questioning me he realized the cause of my asthma was living in a small apartment with 2 cats.  He strongly urged me to give my cats away.  No Way!!  I told him I already loved both cats to pieces and there was no way in hell I was giving up my feline furbabies.  He shook his head and told me I could end up with asthma for the rest of my life.  "So be it!" I said.  I just had to keep my cats,  Mousey and Maggie, so I  began to research ways to help diminish my pet allergy symptoms.  

HOW I REDUCED MY CAT ALLERGY SYMPTOMS 

Here are the things I did to reduce my allergic symptoms:

🐈 The cats could no longer sleep in my bedroom, it was my "cat free zone"

🐈  I wiped the cats down with wet paper towels daily; sometimes twice a day

🐈  I vacuumed every single day and followed up with a wet mop to keep the dander down. Thankfully I had hardwood floors and not carpeting which helps a lot.

🐈  I dusted every few days using wet cleaning cloths instead of a dry cloth to keep dander and fur down.

🐈 I washed my cats' bedding frequently and kept the litter box super clean.

Following the above steps helped a lot but it wasn't quite enough.  I still suffered with frequent asthmatic symptoms due to pet allergies for several years, but I didn't care, as long as I had my cats.  When Maggie was the only cat left in the considerably larger house I lived in by then, my symptoms lessened a lot.  It was still difficult but quite manageable.  

MORE WAYS TO REDUCE PET ALLERGY SYMPTOMS: 

If I had known about it, there were other things I could have done to help reduce my allergy symptoms to cats as well:

🐈  I should have gotten a clean air machine with a HEPA filter! They weren't as common back then and I didn't know much about them.

🐈  I could have gotten a removable couch cover which can be removed and washed.  If I had drapes I would have washed them regularly. 

🐈  A few companies make pet allergy sprays that act as allergen blockers, although I'm not sure how well they work.  Have you used pet allergen blockers?  If so, did it help?

🐈  Allergy shots and prescription oral allergy medications.  I didn't want to consider allergy shots, I hate needles! But that probably could have helped a lot as well.

I was allergic to my cats Maggie and Mousey, but I didn't care!

After all that, was having cats worth going through asthma symptoms and constant daily cleaning?  YOU BET IT WAS!!  The love of a cat is not to be underestimated and I would do it all over again.  I have two dogs now but I look forward to getting another cat in the near future.  Thankfully, I'm not allergic to dogs, just cats!

NOTE:  I'm not a doctor or Veterinarian, I'm just sharing how I handled my allergy to cats. If you're allergic to cats but you really want a cat, you may want to check with your doctor first.

YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY this post: Stray Cats In The Hood?  TNR 'em!

Do you have pet allergies? If so, how have you handled them?  Please leave a comment and tell us about it.  We love when you howl back at us!!

THE ACCIDENTAL PET ADOPTION

Although this is, for the most part, a dog blog I had cats as well for most of my life.  When I was young and lived with my parents we had outdoor cats.  There seemed to always be stray cats that found their way into our yard.  Awareness of the importance of spaying and neutering wasn't as strong as it is today.  My parents thought is was fine to just let stray cats be, so we fed them and enjoyed them outside, rarely inviting them inside the house.

I always wanted an indoor cat of my own.  One that would sit in my lap as I watched TV and sleep in my bed with me.  When I was finally out in the world and able to move out of their house, one of the first things I wanted to do was get a cat.  However, I had moved into Manhattan and having your own apartment was prohibitively expensive.  Most young people starting out in New York City share apartments with one or more roommates.  

I was thrilled to be living in the city and after an exhaustive search I finally found a roommate situation.  I couldn't wait to get my cat, but it was not to be.  My roommate didn't like cats and wouldn't let me get one.  The next roommate I had didn't want a cat either!

A couple of years later I moved back to Long Island, where I could afford my own apartment.  With this move I knew I could finally get the cat I so desperately wanted!  There was no one and nothing to stop me.

My beautiful Calico kitty, Maggie, the cat I had longed for

I asked around and searched for a kitten.  It was Winter and there weren't as many kittens available for adoption at that time of year.  A friend of my sister's is involved in rescue and found out I was looking for a kitten and that I longed for a Calico cat.  She knew of a Calico kitten that would be ready to be adopted in a couple of weeks.  Sight unseen I said I would take her!

I was so excited!  I was finally getting a kitten of my very own, an indoor kitty who would sit in my lap while I watched TV and sleep in my bed with me.  I began preparing for my new kitten.  There happen to be a Petco within walking distance from my apartment, so the very next evening I walked over there after work.  I picked out some cute bowls, a carrier, a bed, and a litter box for her.

As I was getting ready to leave the store I saw a woman walk into the Petco carrying a cardboard box with some holes in it.  I knew there had to be an animal in there and I was curious so I followed her to the back of the store.  She took the box to an area with a few cages.  Apparently, they had a small cat adoption center in the store.

I couldn't help but lean in close to see as the woman opened the box and lifted out a beautiful adult Tabby cat.  I remarked that the cat such really pretty markings.  "Are you looking for a cat to adopt?" she asked.  I told her I was there buying supplies to get ready for my new kitten who would be ready to come home in 2 weeks.  She asked if I might be interested in adopting a second cat.  "Oh no!" I said. One kitty was enough.  Then the woman asked if I wanted to hold the Tabby cat.  By now I know that once you hold them, they steal your heart!  He was so sweet, he nuzzled into my armpit as I held him!  But I gave him back, saying I just couldn't have two cats.

One cat would be enough... or would it?

I left the store and went home with my pet supply purchases.  As I lie in bed that night I couldn't stop thinking about that adorable, sweet Tabby cat.  On my way to to work the next day I thought about him while I was on the train.  Then I thought about him all through my first meeting.  By lunchtime I had told my co-workers and my boss all about him and how sweet he was.  I couldn't take it anymore, I just had to have that cat!

I ducked into a conference room and frantically dialed the rescue woman's number.  She had been smart enough to give me her card.  As the phone rang I prayed he hadn't been adopted in the 18 hours since I last held him.   When I got her on the phone, the woman said the cat was still available for adoption!  I told her I'd meet her back at Petco that very night.

Maggie and Mousey, my dynamic kitty duo!

I couldn't wait to get home after work and go pick up my new furry friend.  Thanks to the previous night's shopping spree, I already had the supplies I needed to bring home my new cat.  It was so exciting to see him again and bring him home.  Not only did I finally have a cat, but in two weeks I would have TWO cats.  I was overjoyed!  I just hoped they would get along.

My new cat was quite shy and quiet but very sweet.  Because of his shy demeanor I named him Mousey.   We bonded instantly and my time alone with him was wonderful.  I was still excited to get my new Calico kitten though, and I couldn't wait for her to join our  new little family as well.

Adopting Mousey was what I like to call "the accidental adoption", which can turn out to be the very best kind of adoption! It certainly did in my case.

Yeah, two cats are definitely better than one!  Mousey was my happy "accident", for which I am eternally grateful!

My Calico kitten was expected to come home with me in 2 weeks but because I had adopted another cat, we had to wait an additional 2 weeks for her to be old enough to get a Feline Lukemia test.  The test was negative - Whew!  I had already known I wanted to name my new Calico kitten Maggie, so when she turned 9 weeks old I traveled into Harlem to pick Maggie up and bring her home.

When she first arrived tiny Maggie was all piss and vinegar!  She hissed and raised her back at Mousey, who was completely non-plussed by her tough demeanor.  I think he was actually amused!  He laid down and stretched out on the floor to show her he was no threat.  It took a few days, but Maggie finally settled down and the two of them became fast friends.  In fact, they cuddled together all day long and were virtually inseparable.

I loved Mousey and Maggie so much, they were a big part of my life in those years.  Sadly, Mousey only lived another 3 years or so.  He had a heart murmur which caused him to leave us way too soon.  Losing Mousey was devastating for both me and Maggie. 

Maggie cat and I were together for nearly 19 years before she passed away.  She was with me through so many life changes, some wonderful and some tragic.  But through it all, we were together, and that's what really matters.  Maggie and Mousey will always be in my heart.

Years later I go my beautiful Husky, Icy.  Icy loved Maggie to pieces.  This photo was taken the first time Icy finally learned the Leave It command which was the start of peace in our home. It finally stopped Icy from chasing Maggie around to lick and play with her!  Icy desperately wanted to be besties with Maggie, who would have none of that!  This is my favorite photo of the two of them!

A New Pet Can Be Your Perfect Valentine!

Wondering who you'll snuggle up with this Valentines Day?  Opening your heart to a pet in need of a loving home can be the perfect Valentine's Day gift, for yourself or for your family!



I adopted Phoebe from a PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center I volunteered at.

There are so many dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, and other pets looking for someone to love them and welcome them into their home.  Will you be that someone this Valentine's Day?

THERE'S A BREED SPECIFIC RESCUE ORGANIZATION FOR NEARLY EVERY BREED AND TYPE OF PET OUT THERE.  PLEASE OPT TO ADOPT!!

Be Prepared for pet adoption by asking these questions:

IS THE PET FULL GROWN?  IF NOT, HOW BIG WILL HE GET?

You’ll want to know if your new pet is full grown already or if he's just getting started!  This will help you determine how large a yard, bed, crate, or cage he needs.

WHAT BREED (OR BREED MIX) IS HE?

Most pet breeds have specific attributes and characteristics you should know about so you know what to expect.  Is he a territorial type of pet?  Does he have a strong prey drive making him likely to stalk small pets in the home?  Is he a high energy pet that needs lots of exercise?        




Questions to ask before adopting one of the many pets waiting for a loving home!

HOW MUCH DOES HE EAT?

This may not matter if you're adopting a guinea pig, but if you're taking in a rescue horse or a very large dog it matters!

DOES HE SHED A LOT?

Dogs and cats shed, but some dogs and cats shed more than others.  If shedding is a concern, ask if this type of pet sheds a lot.  You may think the shorter the hair the less a cat or dog will shed.  But many short haired dogs shed a ton!  Pugs are just one example of short haired dogs that shed a lot.   Some dog breeds such as the Poodle or Maltese have hair instead of fur and don't shed at all.   The Sphynx cat is hairless so no shedding there!  Cornish Rex or Devon Rex cats shed less than most cats. 

IS SHE FRIENDLY WITH PEOPLE AND OTHER PETS?

Sometimes shelter staff and volunteers won’t know for certain, but they can often tell fairly easily through behavior assessments.  If the pet has been fostered ask if the foster parent left notes about her behavior, or if you can speak with the foster.  As a Foster Mama, I’m always happy to provide as much information as possible to a potential adopter.




Who couldn't love this sweet face!  This sweet mellow boy was recently adopted - YAY!

CAN YOU DO A MEET AND GREET WITH YOUR PETS?

Sometimes people who have dogs or cats at home worry about getting another pet.  Ask shelter/rescue staff if they’ll arrange a meet and greet with your current pet and the one you want to adopt to see if they get along.  You want to see if there is an obvious prey drive in your pets towards the new pet.  If they can’t accommodate, make sure you can bring the pet back if it doesn't work out when you introduce them at home.  Get advice from the staff on how to do a proper introduction to your current pets at home.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE ADOPTION FEE?

Know what’s included in the adoption fee and what additional costs you might incur.  Do you need to spay/neuter your new pet?  Does he need any vaccinations or ongoing medical care? 




I wasn't too thrilled when Mama first brought Phoebe home, but now we are family!  I look out for my little Sis & sometimes I share my toys with her.  Sometimes.

Asking these questions will help you make a good adoption decision and be well prepared to bring your new Valentine home fur good!  

PETSMART CHARITIES REGULARLY HOSTS NATIONAL ADOPTION WEEKENDS IN PETSMART STORES. YOU MIGHT FIND YOUR FURRY VALENTINE AT YOUR LOCAL PETSMART STORE!  

Looking for fun Furry Valentine's Day DIY ideas and activities to do with your dog? 

I believe these 3 Simple Acts can help end the enormous flood of pets that end up in shelters & rescues every year.