Common Signs You Might Be Allergic to Cats

Cats are one of the most popular household pets, but between 5% and 20% of people have some degree of cat allergy. Cat allergy symptoms and severity can vary based on your sensitivity, the amount of cat allergens around you, and whether you’re exposed to cats regularly.

Many people with cat allergies can own cats and manage low-level symptoms like mild stuffiness and watery eyes. However, others may experience more severe, unmanageable symptoms, and they probably shouldn’t own a cat. In rare cases, some people develop extreme allergic reactions to cats, like severe difficulty breathing, which might require immediate medical care.

Common Symptoms 

A cat allergy can lead to symptoms triggered by an exaggerated response to various allergens found in cat dander (dead skin cells), saliva, or urine. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Clogged ears or earache
• Itchy, red, watery eyes
• Postnasal drip
• Puffy eyes or eyes with dark circles
• Runny, stuffy, and/or itchy nose
• Sneezing or coughing

These symptoms are collectively known as "allergic rhinitis" and are similar to some people's symptoms of other allergens, like pollen or dust mites. 

People regularly exposed to cats tend to have more chronic—though sometimes milder—symptoms. Some very sensitive people might react to a transported allergen (e.g., the clothes of someone who lives with a cat).

Special Considerations in Babies and Toddlers

The most common cat allergy symptoms in babies and toddlers are similar to those in adults. However, small children can’t communicate clearly, so it may be harder to know what is going on. 

You might notice a child rubbing their nose often, and their eyes might look puffy. Sometimes, a very young child will have feeding difficulties due to allergies, or they might have more difficulty sleeping. 

Cat Allergy Rash

Some people allergic to cats get hives (urticaria)—itchy raised areas, which might appear in streaks or patches. Hives appear reddish in people with fairer skin. People with darker skin tones may experience raised hives and darker, lighter, or the same as your regular skin tone. 

Cat allergies may exacerbate eczema, though this is not proven. Scientists don’t think cat allergies directly cause eczema (atopic dermatitis) symptoms such as dry, itchy, raw, cracked skin that can ooze or bleed when scratched. However, triggers such as cat dander might worsen allergy symptoms.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Care

You don't need to go to the emergency room for hives alone. However, in rare cases, they can occur alongside anaphylaxis (a potentially life-threatening reaction). Those most at risk for anaphylaxis are people with a cat allergy but little exposure to cats who suddenly are around many cat allergens.  

If you are having any difficulty breathing or any other potentially life-threatening symptoms, like swelling, nausea, or lightheadedness, administer epinephrine via an epi-pen and seek emergency medical care.

Causes and Risk Factors

In a cat allergy, your immune system develops an over-reactive response to an allergen produced by a cat. When the immune system comes in contact with the allergen (e.g., when you touch the allergen or breathe it in), it sets off allergic symptoms like a runny nose. 

Cats produce several different allergens, and some people react to one or more of them. One of the most important allergens is Fel d1, which more than 80% of people allergic to cats respond to. Male and unneutered cats may produce more of this allergen than female or male neutered cats.

In general, allergic diseases tend to run in families, partially due to genetic factors. So, you’re at higher risk of a cat allergy if someone in your family has allergies. 

Additionally, you may be more likely to develop a cat allergy if you already have another allergy (e.g., to another animal, pollen, or a specific food) or if you’ve had symptoms of atopic dermatitis or allergic asthma. You might be more at risk if you acquire a cat as an adult but weren’t around them as a child.

Skin or Blood Allergy Testing

If you think you might be allergic to your cat, talk to a healthcare provider about your symptoms. You might want to get a referral to an allergist (allergy specialist) for more detailed allergy testing. They will test for your response to common allergens like animal dander, mold, dust, and pollen.

One testing option is a skin prick test, where the tester places small amounts of allergen at different points on your back. Then, the skin is slightly "pricked" or scrapped so the allergen can enter. Fifteen minutes later, the provider checks your skin for signs of an allergic response.

The other testing option is a "specific IgE test" for cat allergy. The provider will take a blood sample to a lab for analysis. Your allergist can tell you if you are likely allergic to cats based on the results.

How to Control Your Symptoms

Plain nasal salt rinses can help clear away mucus. You can take medications to help you control your symptoms, although they can’t eliminate or prevent them. The following are some over-the-counter (OTC) options:

• Nasal sprays: Look for sprays with antihistamines such as Astepro (azelastine), corticosteroids such as Nasacort (triamcinolone) or Flonase (fluticasone), decongestants such as Afrin (oxymetazoline), or a mast cell stabilizer such as NasalCrom (cromolyn).
• Eye drops: Choose eye drops containing an antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer like Pataday (olopatadine) or Zaditor (ketotifen ophthalmic).
• Oral antihistamines: Medications such as Claritin (loratadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), or Allegra (fexofenadine) tend to cause less sleepiness and other side effects compared to older antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine).
• Oral decongestants: Choose options such as Sudafed (pseudoephedrine).

Singulair (montelukast) is an oral prescription medication that may help prevent allergic symptoms.

Work with a healthcare provider to determine the best medication combination for you. People with allergic asthma or atopic dermatitis related to allergies may need other options. 

Are Allergy Shots Right for You?

If your allergy symptoms are moderate to severe and negatively interfere with your life, you may want to consider allergy shots.

Unlike the treatment options above, which only treat symptoms, allergy shots attempt to re-educate your immune system over time so it won’t overreact to cat allergens. In most people, symptoms decrease or resolve completely after their course of allergy shots, sometimes permanently.

However, allergy shots typically require many in-office appointments, which can be time-consuming and expensive, so you should consider what makes sense for you.

Reduce Your Exposure to Cats

Reducing your exposure to cat allergens is one of the simplest ways to reduce your symptoms. 

If a friend or relative has a cat, avoid spending time at their house. When traveling, choose lodging that is always pet-free. If you spend time in a house with someone’s cat, shower and change your clothes when you get home. 

Some people decide not to own a cat, or they might choose to rehome their animal if it is causing a lot of problems. However, symptoms might not decrease for several months. If you have multiple cats, keeping just one might help you reduce symptoms. 

Even if you have a cat that you decide to keep, reducing your exposure to the animal may help. Aim to keep cats out of the room where you sleep and limit their access to other rooms, especially carpeted ones. Limit how much you touch your cat, and wash your hands afterward if you do. 

Additional Tips for Living With a Cat

For many, their cats are part of the family, and rehoming them isn’t an option. By taking additional steps to lower pet allergens, you may be able to reduce your symptoms. 

• Use air purifiers with certified high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.
• Vacuum regularly, including floors and fabric-covered furniture, using vacuums with HEPA filters.
• Have someone else regularly clean the litter box and any cat bedding. If you must perform these tasks yourself, use gloves and a mask. 
• Clean your house frequently and thoroughly, including removing dust on dry surfaces with a wet or microfiber cloth. 
• If possible, have someone else bathe the cat once a week using pet shampoo. Alternatively, you can try applying solutions such as Allerpet, which may help remove and neutralize some of the Fel d 1 allergens. 
• Try using a special cat food, such as Purina Pro Plan LiveClear, which may help neutralize the Fel d 1 allergen. 
• Some breeds, such as Siberian or Siamese cats, may produce fewer allergens, although this isn’t proven. Consider temporarily trying one of these cats before permanently adopting it into your family, opting for a female or neutered male cat. 

Summary

Cat allergies are prevalent and cause symptoms like red and watery eyes, stuffy nose, post-nasal drip, and sneezing as your body’s immune system overreacts to one or more allergens found in your cat’s dander, saliva, or urine. An allergist can diagnose a cat allergy with a blood or skin prick test.

Over-the-counter medications can help reduce symptoms, but they are imperfect and don’t treat the root cause. You can also reduce the amount of cat allergens in your environment, even if you don’t want to rehome your cat. For a more long-term solution, some people with more severe symptoms might consider a course of allergy shots.