Ryan112390
01-16-2010, 02:02 PM
Hey
I am considering getting a cat. I had a cat when from when I was born until age 2, named Vashtie--we had to give her to my grandmother as the litter was causing persistent ear infections and then we had rescued a pregnant stray which we had for around 4 months when I was 6, who I named Tux, and we kept her for awhile in 1996 and gave her kittens to an animal shelter I believe. I've been around cats since, as my sister has two, and haven't had any allergic reaction but then again I'm only around them for short periods and never near the litter box for any long periods.
I've found out that while I have no allergy whatsoever to cat dander, I do have an intense Class III allergy (Class IV is the highest, most severe level of allergy possible; Class 0 would mean no true allergy) to dust mites. While as of yet Thank God I've not experienced any significant or serious allergic reactions because of my allergy, I worry that bringing a cat into the house (I live in a small apartment) might be dangerous--Not the cat itself but the litter, which might contain/attract/give off dust mites into the air.
While I really want a cat, I'm worried about what effect, if any, having one (particularly the litter) would have on my health at the same time and so I'd like some advice--Maybe there's others here with dust mite allergies? Any advice you guys could give would be really appreciated.
I am considering getting a cat. I had a cat when from when I was born until age 2, named Vashtie--we had to give her to my grandmother as the litter was causing persistent ear infections and then we had rescued a pregnant stray which we had for around 4 months when I was 6, who I named Tux, and we kept her for awhile in 1996 and gave her kittens to an animal shelter I believe. I've been around cats since, as my sister has two, and haven't had any allergic reaction but then again I'm only around them for short periods and never near the litter box for any long periods.
I've found out that while I have no allergy whatsoever to cat dander, I do have an intense Class III allergy (Class IV is the highest, most severe level of allergy possible; Class 0 would mean no true allergy) to dust mites. While as of yet Thank God I've not experienced any significant or serious allergic reactions because of my allergy, I worry that bringing a cat into the house (I live in a small apartment) might be dangerous--Not the cat itself but the litter, which might contain/attract/give off dust mites into the air.
While I really want a cat, I'm worried about what effect, if any, having one (particularly the litter) would have on my health at the same time and so I'd like some advice--Maybe there's others here with dust mite allergies? Any advice you guys could give would be really appreciated.