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I've lived my whole life with allergies and would not recommend you pass up a beloved companion for this reason, unless perhaps you also have asthma. Most cat allergies aren't life threatening otherwise...
Some allergy info from my research/experience:
1. Every person is different and responds or doesn't to different allergy solutions. One person will swear by allergy shots, for another they won't work at all.
2. If you choose Claritin or its generic (it works great for me, but see #1) you must take it every single day, at the same time more or less, whether you are symptomatic or not. It's a daily maintenance med. If you go off of it for a couple of months, it won't work as well when you start again until it builds up in your system. My kids and I take it year round, even before getting the cat, for seasonal allergy prevention.
3. People always mention the drowsiness side effect of Benadryl. The main ingredient in Benadryl is diphenhydramine hydrochloride, which is also the sleepytime ingredient in drugs like Unisom and Tylenol PM. In my opinion/experience Benadryl is not a "fix my allergies" drug, it's a "knock me out so I don't notice whether I'm having symptoms, because I'm comatose" drug. Your mileage may vary.
4. What others have said is totally valid, such as your reaction could have also been to the cat-rich environment, it may not be so bad if she's groomed, and I'd also go so far as to say that her coat and skin will be healthier if she's in a comfortable home instead of the stress of a shelter/cage setting. I know my kitten's fur is looking sleeker and nicer and he's grooming it better the longer he is in my home (2 weeks and counting, and the improvement is noticeable.)
I've pushed back her pick-up date until Monday; waiting to hear from one of my advisors.
OK!!!! It's Monday and I can't wait any longer to hear the verdict.....do you have a beautiful calico kitty named Fiona in your house yet???? (paws crossed!!!)
In my opinion/experience Benadryl is not a "fix my allergies" drug, it's a "knock me out so I don't notice whether I'm having symptoms, because I'm comatose" drug. Your mileage may vary.
Usually I take Benadryl only at night, but sometimes I'll take it during the day and bite the tablet in half. It alleviates the allergy symptoms, but doesn't knock me out.
Yes! Fiona is now home with me; and you’re right, Karen, it’s already a case of me belonging to her . She was very vocal during the trip home and I think her stay at the Animal Care has fairly traumatized her. When I let her out of the pet taxi, I noticed she was shaking a bit.
So I showed her where her cat box is, gave her some food and now she’s prowling every square inch of her new realm.
Was hard to get a picture of her; right now she doesn’t want to be held or even petted very much, but during her prowling rounds she’ll come by me here at the computer.
When the clock struck the hour, she jumped, big time. Perhaps she’s never heard that sound before.
She's come up to me occasionally for a scritch behind her ear, and purrs very loudly when I do! It's a good sign.
You are incredibly lucky to have such a beautiful baby girl. It was obviously meant to be and I do hope you two will have a wonderful time getting to know each other. She is just wonderful and I am happy that you chose a shelter cat. Good job!!!!
Yeah, and she already is asserting herself: I had to go to the market and when I got back I couldn't find her anywhere. I knew she had to be here, but found no sight of her. Neither did she come out and by now I had my strong flashlight and was checking every nook & cranny.
Whoops! I finally looked up and found her in this alcove: (she wasn't asleep; camera just caught her blink.)
This was/is Not OK with me and when I was gently trying to get her out, she nipped at me. Didn't break the skin, but still . . .And two seconds before the nip, she'd been purring like crazy even whilst using all that resistant body mass thing which cats can do to avoid being moved.
She's not that big, but I'm pretty sure she's about 3 whole pounds overweight.
I was able finally to get her out of there, but guess what? She's already back up there. I guess my towels will be finding a new spot and I'll be getting one of those soft, round beds which will exactly fit right in there.
Congrats. Sounds like she's making herself at home.
You'll just have to adjust ...
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She was very vocal during the trip home and I think her stay at the Animal Care has fairly traumatized her. When I let her out of the pet taxi, I noticed she was shaking a bit.
