Sneezing and wheezing. Itchy eyes and throat. Coughing or headaches. If you suffer from some or all of these symptoms when keeping close company with your cat, you may have allergies to your feline companion. But don’t despair, most allergies to cats can be effectively controlled through a variety of methods.

If you suffer from allergies to your cat, you’re not alone. Cats are the most popular pet in America today, yet one in three cat owners is allergic to felines. This proves that for many cat owners, living with allergies is not only possible but preferable to finding another home for their beloved cat companion.

Such was the case with St. Hubert’s Volunteer Pat Penberthy and her son, Christopher. When Christopher developed allergies to the family’s two cats, an allergist recommended giving the pets up. For the Penberthys, this simply was not an option. They had developed a close relationship with their cats after living with them for five years. Christopher’s symptoms were not life-threatening and both mother and child were committed to finding another solution.

"I couldn’t face the possibility of giving up my cats," explained Pat. So the pair formulated another strategy: They set out to "allergy-proof" their home, particularly the place where Christopher spent a great deal of time – his bedroom. First, the cats were restricted from Christopher’s bedroom, and then a massive cleaning effort began to remove the cat allergens.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not the hair or fur of a cat that triggers allergies, but rather a protein present in the feline’s skin, saliva and urine. Because cats frequently preen themselves, they leave the tiny particles of proteins behind on their hair which, when dry, become airborne and easily inhaled. The tiny particles (commonly called cat dander) become embedded in furniture and upholstery, carpets and drapes, bedding, and even stick to hard and vertical surfaces like furniture and walls.

The Penberthys ripped up the wall-to-wall carpeting in Christopher’s room, washed the bedding, and thoroughly vacuumed everything in his room and closet – including the surface of his bed and his clothing – with a special micro filter vacuum cleaner bag. They washed down the walls and everything in his room. Pat also quit smoking inside the house to cut down on other possible allergy producing irritants, and applied to their cats a topical lotion made to control dander.

"I couldn’t believe how quickly these strategies helped," exclaimed Pat. "We conquered Christopher’s allergies." Today the Penberthys have five cats and Christopher shows no allergy symptoms!

Controlling the environment takes some effort, but it is one of the simplest ways to combat pet allergies. Some people find additional relief by placing air purifiers with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters in their bedrooms and other places around the home. Ventilating the house and keeping air ducts, furnaces and air conditioner filters clean also helps.

Unfortunately, managing the environment does not always work for all allergy sufferers and other strategies like consulting an allergist, taking medications, immunotherapy (allergy shots) and bathing a cat can be utilized.

Consulting an allergist is a very good idea to determine whether you or your family member is definitely allergic to pet dander, and to find out what other allergies a person may have. People with allergies to pets are often sensitive to other allergens. This is important to know when devising a strategy to control allergies, according to veterinarian Leslie Sinclair of the Humane Society of the United States, because by decreasing exposure to other allergy producing substances like pollen, insecticides and cigarette smoke, tolerating the pet allergy may be much easier.

Dr. Sinclair recommends bathing your cat on a weekly basis to reduce the level of allergens on fur by as much as 84%. She adds that products are available which claim to reduce pet allergens when sprayed on an animal’s fur, but studies show they are less effective than a weekly bath. Check with your veterinarian or a pet care book for the proper way to bathe a cat and the best shampoo to use.

When St. Hubert’s veteran animal control officer Katie Nordhaus began suffering in the early nineties with wheezing, and itchy eyes, nose and throat, an allergist confirmed her worst fears: Katie was allergic to cats and other animals, among other things. Staying away from animals meant Katie would have to part with her own menagerie of cats and dogs and give up a career she loved – working with animals. "I told the doctor there was no way I was giving up my animals," recalls Katie, and she began looking for other ways to manage her allergies. Katie takes a daily antihistamine pill prescribed by her doctor, and employs a variety of cleaning strategies at home. She vacuums routinely and places throws over her furniture which get laundered once a week. "That makes a tremendous difference," says Katie.

Over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants, and prescription medications in the form of pills, nasal sprays, eye drops and inhalers provide relief for many people. Again, consulting an allergist who can help determine the most effective allergy control – and who understands your commitment to living with your cat – is very important.

Allergy shots or immunotherapy can also be very effective in desensitizing a person to cat allergens. Typically, weekly injections are given for a number of weeks to months until a person has built up an immunity to cat allergens. Then a monthly maintenance injection is given.

How aggressive your approach to controlling allergies should depend upon the severity of the symptoms. Says Dr. Sinclair: "A combination of approaches – medical control of symptoms, good housecleaning methods, and immunotherapy – is most likely to succeed in allowing the allergic person to live with pets."

And because people respond differently to different allergy-control approaches, finding what works is often by trial and error. And don’t abandon a strategy because it doesn’t work immediately. Sometimes a measure may take several weeks to make an impact.

Top Ten Tips for Coping with Allergies to Cats

2.    Thoroughly clean your home to remove cat allergens from carpets, drapes, upholstered furniture, walls. Vacuum often using a filter with a high allergy containment rating.

3.    Bathe your feline companion weekly.

4.    If possible, have someone who is non-allergic do the bathing, and groom your cat outdoors so allergens are released outdoors.

5.    Consult an allergist to help determine the most effective form of allergy control/treatment. Find a doctor who understands your commitment to your cat.

6.    Place allergen-impermeable covers on mattresses, box springs and pillows to prevent previously accumulated allergens from escaping and from allowing more allergens to be captured.

7.    Medications (over-the-counter and prescription).

8.    Allergy shots (Immunotherapy).

9.    Use air purifiers with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters to help trap allergens.

10.    Ventilate the house frequently and keep furnaces, air ducts and air conditioner filters clean.