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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / March 2004Help for allergies and 5 cats
Hi there, My DH has allergies and it's been acting up pretty bad lately. We have 5 cats of our own, plus 1 foster who is out in the house with our cats, and a mommy cat and 3 babies in the guest room. Poor DH is feeling really crappy right now. I'm looking into some air filtration systems, and there are so many opinions out there, so I thought I'd come here for some more :-P Room-size HEPA filters are out, because of the noise. DH cannot stand any noise while he sleeps, and we have one that we run downstairs while we aren't home. It does a little bit, but I'm sure it would be more effective if we ran it all the time. The noise is so annoying and makes it impossible to watch TV or listen to music. How do the Ionic Breeze things work? I've found so many varied opinions from "it's the biggest piece of crap" to "my allergies are totally gone!". If they do work, that would be the ideal solution. Noiseless, easy to clean, no filters. How about whole house air filtration systems? How much are they? Do they work? Any other ideas?  Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net Check out www.snittens.com >Hi there, > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >to watch TV or listen to music. >How do the Ionic Breeze things work? I've found so many varied opinions Mine (Ionic Breeze) does not work - but it IS quiet. My Honeywell HEPA works great. I wear ear plugs at night. >My DH has allergies and it's been acting up pretty bad lately. We have 5 >cats of our own, plus 1 foster who is out in the house with our cats, and a [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >noise while he sleeps, and we have one that we run downstairs while we >aren't home. Like your DH, I have allergies and can't sleep with the noise from a HEPA filter. I keep the cats out of my bedroom - that helps alot. Then, I run the HEPA filter in my room all the time I'm not there. If you have carpetting in your bedroom, removing it will also help. Also, wash the linens (especially pillowcases) frequently in hot water. > Hi there, > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > are they? Do they work? > Any other ideas? My sister recently bought Ionic Breeze but returned it. She said it didn't work. Years ago, my parents had an electrostatic filter *built into* their central air/heating system. I think it was made by Honeywell. That one did not create any noise and worked extremely well. However, it was also expensive and would have to be installed by a technician. It was a permanent filter and had a "washing" cycle where the filter would be automatically washed while it was in place (using soap that was attached via a dispenser). MaryL I have a Whirlpool air purifier with Hepa filter that works great, but it makes a kind of white noise. My DH and I have gotten used to the noise which is really no louder than an airconditioner (unit, not central ). The previous poster suggested ear plugs, which sounds like a good idea to me. If you decide to go with an air purifier, a good site to look at is www.allergy.control.com and if you put in DP10 at checkout it'll give you 10% off!!!! Good luck Judy F > Hi there, > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > are they? Do they work? > Any other ideas? > Hi there, > > My DH has allergies and it's been acting up pretty bad lately. I have allergies and 3 cats and a dog. These tips may help. 1. Wet rag over every animal, every day. Helps pick up loose hair and dander. 2. Vaccuum hair off furniture (including cat furniture) weekly. Vaccuum carpet every two days. Frequently change vaccuum filter and bags. 3. Medicine like Benadryl is your friend. :) 4. Full baths monthly for every pet (except Rowan cuz she makes herself sick when she's stressed, so she gets one every 3 months or so). 5. Good oils in their food. This reduces shedding and maintains good coat condition. 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of olive oil, once a week, per animal. 6. Minimal brushing, about once every week to two weeks (short haired cats). Too much brushing encourages shedding. I dunno about the filters. I don't use any. Signature-- ~kaeli~ Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace > > Hi there, > > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > I dunno about the filters. I don't use any. Those are really good tips, thanks! I was wondering about adding oil to their food, because all the cats have such dry skin right now, I just didn't know what kind. I'll also see if I can persuade DH to maybe get a HEPA filter and use earplugs at night. I actually like the white noise of a fan or a/c. I don't know if we can kick the cats out of the bedroom, it's probably too late for that. And I would LOVE to take up the carpet! It is sooo ugly, and I hate carpet anyway. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net Check out www.snittens.com Kelly, I forgot to mention that I take Clarinex (which is non drowsy and works great) and also the allergist suggested I encase my mattress, box springs and pillows. You can get these "encasing" covers at the URL I mentioned in the about post. Judy F > > > Hi there, > > > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > probably too late for that. And I would LOVE to take up the carpet! It is > sooo ugly, and I hate carpet anyway. > I don't know if we can kick the cats out of the bedroom, it's >probably too late for that. Well, I can tell you from experience that it's probably the thing that will make the most difference. Having 8 hours/night being exposed to allergens not only is hard on the system, it also affects the quality of your sleep. > > I don't know if we can kick the cats out of the bedroom, it's > >probably too late for that. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > allergens not only is hard on the system, it also affects the quality > of your sleep. That it does. Mine all sleep with me at various times of the evening, and I am a seriously open-mouthed, snoring mess when I sleep. *snort* Changing the bed linens twice a week should have been on that list. I forgot. Signature-- ~kaeli~ In democracy your vote counts. In feudalism your count votes. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace circa Wed, 25 Feb 2004 10:29:17 -0600, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, kaeli (tiny_one@NOSPAM.comcast.net) said, > 1. Wet rag over every animal, every day. Helps pick up loose hair and > dander. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > 6. Minimal brushing, about once every week to two weeks (short haired > cats). Too much brushing encourages shedding. 7. Humidifiers if the air in the household is dry. Helps keep the dust and dander down where it can be sucked up by the vacuum. Laura SignatureI am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated. >From: kaeli tiny_one@NOSPAM.comcast.net >Too much brushing encourages shedding. It does? How? BTW, Kaeli, I wanted to really thank you for recommending the claw trimmers. I got a pair and they work really well. They don't smoosh the claw like my last pair and they're nice and sharp. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm > >From: kaeli tiny_one@NOSPAM.comcast.net > > >Too much brushing encourages shedding. > > It does? How? Have you ever noticed that when you brush your cat, it sheds more for the whole day? Brushing seems to loosen up the dead hair and it keeps falling out. (a wet rag after brushing will remove a lot of it, but not all) While this is generally a good thing, it is a bad thing for people with allergies. This is my experience only, so maybe it depends on coat type. Example: My Mom's cat (long hair) was leaving little clumps all over when she was combing him daily. When we reduced to once a week, the combing took longer to get the dead stuff out, but at least he wasn't shedding clumps all over the house. He also stopped having hairball problems. My own cats are shorthaired, but fluffy. So, I dunno if this would be true for say, a Siamese. And I truly doubt it would apply to a Rex. This is true for people, too, IME. If you brush your hair before your shower, note how much more is in the drain filter thingy. Or maybe I'm just weird. (don't say it *g*) > BTW, Kaeli, I wanted to really thank you for recommending the claw trimmers. I > got a pair and they work really well. They don't smoosh the claw like my last > pair and they're nice and sharp. You're welcome! Signature-- ~kaeli~ I do whatever my Rice Krispies tell me to. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace >From: kaeli tiny_one@NOSPAM.comcast.net >darnit7 >@aol.comnolitter enlightened us with... [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] >Or maybe I'm just weird. >(don't say it *g*) Interesting. I'll have to watch next time I brush my cats to see if there is more loose fur after. Funny thing about these cats, they really don't shed, especially my girl Meesha. I can brush and brush her and there is barely any fur in the brush at all. I've never had a cat like her before. She's 4 years old now and she has never had a hairball. When I brush my other cat Mickey, at least I'll get some fur in the brush. I can only remember him having 1 hairball and he is also 4 years old. I don't know if it's genetic or their diet or what. I found a tool I really like for spring time. It's a shedding blad but instead of being metal, it's made of plastic. Have you ever seen them? Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm > Interesting. I'll have to watch next time I brush my cats to see if there is > more loose fur after. Funny thing about these cats, they really don't shed, [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > hairball and he is also 4 years old. I don't know if it's genetic or their > diet or what. Well, my cats all eat the same diet. Isis doesn't shed a lot, Rowan sheds a decent amount, and Jeffrey is a shedding machine. :) They have totally different coat types. Isis is fluffy and soft and feels like a bunny. Jeffrey has a thinner, slightly longer, more coarse coat. Rowan has a coat like Jeffrey's. > I found a tool I really like for spring time. It's a shedding blad but instead > of being metal, it's made of plastic. Have you ever seen them? No, I see the metal ones, but not plastic. I'm used to the metal ones - I use them at the barn every spring. My kids don't shed any more in the spring than they always do. Maybe it's because my house is always really warm, even in the winter. Signature-- ~kaeli~ Never say, "Oops!"; always say, "Ah, interesting!" http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace >From: kaeli tiny_one@NOSPAM.comcast.net >> I found a tool I really like for spring time. It's a shedding blad but >instead >> of being metal, it's made of plastic. Have you ever seen them? > >No, I see the metal ones, but not plastic. >I'm used to the metal ones - I use them at the barn every spring. When I had my horse, I used the metal ones. You have horses? >My kids don't shed any more in the spring than they always do. Maybe >it's because my house is always really warm, even in the winter. I bet you're right because less of a temperature change. ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm > >No, I see the metal ones, but not plastic. > >I'm used to the metal ones - I use them at the barn every spring. > > When I had my horse, I used the metal ones. You have horses? I ride horses every Saturday. Unfortunately, they aren't mine. :) Signature-- ~kaeli~ Persons disagreeing with facts are always emotional and employ faulty reasoning. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace >From: kaeli tiny_one@NOSPAM.comcast.net >> When I had my horse, I used the metal ones. You have horses? > >I ride horses every Saturday. Unfortunately, they aren't mine. :) Well at least you get to ride :) I haven't been riding in years. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm Hi Kelly, Both DH and I are allergic to cats as well. We only have 2 presently, but even so, the allergies are bad. We have purchased 2 and are ordering our third, AirSource air purification system. For the first time we have clean clear air and no one suffers any allergies :) We keep one in our bedroom and one in the main living areas. The third will go to DH's office (at home). We could not survive with out them and they are almost silent. You change out the bulb once a year and there is NO cleaning of the unit. It also cleans the air very very quickly. Of all scents :) We bought ours from our Shaklee dealer, but I am sure you could go direct. Although I think it is cheaper if you have a Shaklee dealer. http://www.shaklee.net/buyproducts/prodAir just so you can check them out :) Hailey > My DH has allergies and it's been acting up pretty bad lately. We have 5 > cats of our own, plus 1 foster who is out in the house with our cats, and a [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > are they? Do they work? > Any other ideas? I would try Nasal Guard. I'm on the wrong server right now, so I can't post the URL, but you can do a search for it. They sell it in tubes for $15. You can try one tube, and you'll know if it works for you or not. I was really shocked that it worked for me. I thought it was like a lot of the diet products. They make big claims but don't do anything. But this really did help. My allergies are worse than my sister's allergies, but she was blowing more than me and complaining that her allergies were worse, while mine were much better. It's an ointment that you out on your nose that is supposed to keep you from inhaling the allergens. If you don't inhale them, then you won't have the allergic reaction. Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com >From: friesian@zoocrewphoto.com (Meghan Noecker) >I would try Nasal Guard. > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >you from inhaling the allergens. If you don't inhale them, then you >won't have the allergic reaction. Interesting, Meghan. I've never heard of it. My DH has allergies to our cats so he tried a homeopathic remedy made by BioAllers. He absolutely never believed in homeopathics and thought they were a lot of bull. But then after trying Animal Dander by BioAllers, his cat allergy is now virtually gone. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm
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