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Check nowIt is estimated that around 44% of UK households own a pet so these furry (or sometimes not-so-furry) creatures feature heavily in our day-to-day routines. Cats and dogs are the most common pets but unfortunately allergies to these animals are equally prevalent, with symptoms including congestion, watery eyes, sneezing and inflammation. When choosing a pet, or in an attempt to understand these allergies, people often ask if a cat allergy is worse than a dog allergy. So, to provide you with an answer to this troubling question, I’ve looked at this issue in depth.
People often misunderstand their pet allergy, believing that it is caused by an animal’s fur when, in fact, it’s usually animal dander that’s the problem. So, what exactly is this and why might it cause problems like sneezing and watery eyes?
Well, animal dander is the salvia, urine and dead skin cells that are shed from cats and other animals including dogs. In someone with an allergy, the immune system is very sensitive and so when it comes into contact with animal dander, it over-reacts.
In an attempt to fight off what it deems to be a dangerous allergen, the immune system usually releases histamine. This results in the familiar symptoms of, amongst other things, sneezing, itching and watery eyes.
Cat dander contains a protein called Fel de 1 and, for a number of reasons, this is what can make a cat allergy more problematic than a dog allergy.
Therefore, although both cats and dogs produce animal dander, this dander differs between the two animals. Therefore, it is possible for a cat allergy to be more severe than a dog allergy. It may also explain why more people suffer from cat allergies than dog allergies.
It is all very well for me to pass this information on to you however, you may just be wondering if there is any evidence that backs up what I’ve said.
Well, a study included in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology looked at the frequency and severity of cat allergy versus dog allergy in atopic children. After conducting skin tests (this is how doctors test for allergies) on a group of children after exposure to cats and dogs, researchers found that results were more often positive after contact with cats, rather than after contact with dogs. Their conclusion was that children were more allergic to cats than dogs.1
Sometimes certain breeds of cat are deemed hypoallergenic meaning they are less likely to cause allergy symptoms. However, regardless of their size, their fur length or their type of fur, all cats produce dander and so have the potential to cause problems like itching, sneezing or a blocked nose.
Nevertheless, it is usually agreed that female cats produce less allergens than male cats and neutered males produce less than non-neutered males.
If your suffer from an allergy but own a cat, or planning on visiting one sometime soon, there are a few things you can do to minimise the effects of the animal’s dander.
As mentioned, cat allergies can cause a whole host of symptoms but fortunately we have a range of herbal remedies that might help.
If cats bring out symptoms in your eyes, our Moisturising Eye Drops may prove beneficial as they soothe dry, tired and irritated eyes. They can also be used by those with contact lenses if this applies to you.
Skin problems are also common for allergy sufferers so if you experience redness or itching as a result of your cat, our Neem Cream may help. This soothes and calms irritation to leave you feeling more comfortable.
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6886252
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Take our quick quiz to discover just how healthy your immune system is, as well as some useful information about your general health and wellbeing!
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