Allergic to Cats? There Might Be A "Cure" In Sight
New research by pet food company, Purina, suggests that there could be an end to severe cat allergies in sight; or at least a way to reduce allergic reactions.
According to Purina, cat allergies are the most common animal-caused allergies in humans, causing issues for approximately 1 in 5 adults worldwide.
While cat allergies might just be a bit of discomfort for most people, for cats these allergies can have a much more dramatic impact than most people realize. Cat allergies can limit the bonding between cat owners and their furry family members. Allergies stop animal lovers from adopting cats, and in many cases force some cat owners to surrender their cats to shelters, often when a child is born or cat allergies suddenly develop.
Most people with cat allergies react to Fel d1, a protein found on cat skin, or Fel d4, a protein found in the cat's saliva. When your cat grooms itself, it is spreading the Fel d 4 and Fel d1 protein onto their fur and skin. When they shed, the fur (and allergen) are sprinkled throughout your home, thus coming into contact with the cat-allergic humans.
While Purina is not claiming to be fixing on a cure for cat allergies per se, their research is focused on a way to significantly reduce the levels of major cat allergen, Fel d1, in cats' saliva.
“Taking advantage of natural allergen-antibody interactions, Purina researchers discovered how to safely neutralize Fel d1 in hair and dander by incorporating a natural egg product containing anti-Fel d1 antibodies into a cat’s diet," shared Purina in a statement. The allergen-antibodies bind the Fel d1 protein to the cat's saliva and prevent it from attaching to the dander to be dispersed into the environment. "Ultimately this will reduce active Fel d1 levels in the environment. This approach maintains normal allergen production by the cat, without affecting the cat’s overall physiology."
This discovery could transform how people manage allergies to cats, ultimately bringing cats and people closer together.
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That would be wonderful if it would help reduce allergies. I hope if it goes on the market it won’t be too expensive.
Unfortunately, a lot of cat “allergies” are also totally psychosomatic. People who are indifferent or aren’t fond of cats will say they’re allergic to avoid them. And when they’re near cats, they have mild allergy symptoms. But that stems more from dislike than genuine allergy.
If you love your kitty, screw the allergies. I’m allergic to two of my cats. So I have a permanent cold. shrug As long as I get to love and kiss my fur babies, I don’t care about the allergic effects.
Anything that is safe for cats and reduces or eliminates the crisis of abandonment and betrayal due to “allergies” will be a huge life-saving victory for cats and all who love them, including the thousands of us working to advocate for cats, cat adoptions and permanent loving familes/homes for cats.
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