Why Am I Allergic To Cats But Not Dogs? [Explained]

Nowadays, it is extremely common to own an animal as a pet. A recent study suggests that 70% of U.S. households (90.5 million households) own pets. In the US, 69 million households have dogs, compared with 45.3 million households that have cats.

Can a person be allergic to one animal but not another? The question is simple but the answer is hidden in itself. Of course, an owner may show an allergic reaction to cats but not to other loyal animals like dogs. Sobbed eyes and nose running is a quite obvious signs of this reaction. Nowadays, allergies to cats are fairly common. you could only be allergic to dogs and cats. Now the question that clicks my mind is whether it is conceivable to have an allergy to cats but not dogs. Why am I allergic to cats but not dogs?

If so, might it be possible that certain cats trigger allergies while others don’t? How about having a cat allergy but not a kitten allergy? Can cats get allergic to other cats? If you have any questions concerning allergies that you’d like to have addressed, you’ve come to the right page.

What Causes Allergies in Pets?

At some point, most of us have undoubtedly experienced spells of runny noses, watery eyes, and sneezing. But why do we think of this? The reason for all of this is that your immune system thinks that the body is being attacked by something innocuous.

Any chemical that “attacks” can cause an allergy. When this allergen is present, the immune system makes antibodies in an effort to neutralise the threat. As we all too well know, these antibodies cause allergy symptoms in the same manner as the body would if it were fighting actual viruses.

Pet allergies are caused by proteins found in the pet’s saliva, urine, and dander (dead skin cells). In addition, it may carry other allergens such as dust mites, mold, and pollen. These proteins cause allergy symptoms when they get in your airways, nose, mouth, or on your skin.

Find Out: Why Do People Hate Cats?

What Causes Allergies in Dogs?

The primary dog protein that causes allergies is known as Can f1. Unlike cats, they do not generate this protein in their skin; instead, it is only present in their saliva. Because dogs cannot groom themselves, there will never be more than a small amount of this protein on your dog.

There will always be some Can f1 on a dog’s body since they sometimes lick themselves. Additionally, dogs usually drool a lot. All of their dribblings will include significant amounts of this allergen. The immune system goes into overdrive when an allergen is ingested or inhaled by us after being spread through the air or to another object.

Causes of Cat Allergies

Fel d1 is a basic cat’s salivary protein that can cause allergies. The way your cat grooms itself makes it easier for the Fel d1 protein to spread throughout the entire body. Sebaceous glands also produce this protein. This distributes Fel d1, but it also improves the condition of their coats and keeps their skin supple. 

This protein coats our cats, making it easy for it to spread through the air. Due to the connection between the Fel d1 protein and all the dander and cat hair, this happens more frequently when your cat sheds. This explains why many individuals wrongly assume they have a pet hair allergy when they actually have a sensitivity to this protein.

The protein might also stick to everything it comes into touch with. It might be your hand from touching your cat or a favourite location in your home where you like to sleep. Or, flying debris might land and accumulate on a variety of domestic surfaces. After touching such objects, it moves into the air after a while, which is the ultimate cause of allergies.

Can You Be Allergic to Cats and Not Dogs?

The answer is simple ‘yes‘ it is possible that you are allergic to cats but not to bitch or puppies. The proteins that cause cat allergies and dog allergies differ. A cat-allergic person is sensitive to the Fel d1 (Felis domesticus) protein, and a dog-allergic person is sensitive to Can f1(Canis familiaris). However, the proteins are equivalent. If you have a specific sensitivity, you presumably have allergies to most mammals with fur.

So, for those people who are allergic to cats, the possibility is there that they show allergic reactions when they come into contact with other animals, such as rabbits, dogs, as well as goats. Since most Americans don’t commonly come into contact with these animals, they haven’t had a chance to develop the necessary antibodies. You might react strongly to a cat that produces more protein but just marginally to a dog that produces less protein.

Remember that cats have protein in their saliva and on their skin as well. Cats are more prone than dogs to trigger allergies as they spread saliva on the whole body. They just distribute it more slowly while increasing the quantity of the troublesome protein.

Can a Person With a Pet Allergy Coexist With Pets?

If you have pets or pet allergies, you must be aware of the allergen. So, use a mask while doing vacuum cleaning. Start an air purifier with a HEPA filter that fits the room’s dimensions. When grooming pets, apply Allerpet Solution to either cats or dogs. Spray a solution on your carpets frequently to dissolve the protein if you have any.

While residing with dogs, it is possible to experience allergies to both cats and dogs. Despite growing up with cats, our child is allergic to them.

Ways To Reduce Pet Allergy Causes

Whatever the root of your allergy, living with a pet may be difficult. Your pets are impossible to get rid of! The best solution isn’t antihistamines or other allergy drugs, either. If you are successful in stopping the allergen from entering your body before it causes an allergic reaction, you won’t.

Here are just a few of the finest recommendations to help you with this and stop sneezing as much.

1. Purge All Surfaces

Allergens can land on surfaces in one of two ways. The particles in the air will either fall and touch down on the surface below them, or they won’t. Your dog or cat might also lick the allergen onto the object. For instance, the allergen will frequently be found on your cat’s favourite surfaces and the toys that dogs use to play with.

These allergies can be considerably reduced with routine vacuuming and cleaning. I recently purchased a portable cat litter vacuum, which I now use each day to vacuum my cat’s preferred lairs quickly. Not having to take the big vacuum out every day saves a tonne of time.

2. Keep the Air Clean

When a cat or dog loses its fur, allergens may be released into the air. The fastest way to get rid of these allergens from the air before they can trigger an allergic reaction is by using cat hair air purifiers. Before purchasing any used air filter, consider the following factors:

Filter type: Most filters are capable of catching hair and dander particles. But if you want to efficiently capture and remove allergens, you need an air purifier with a True HEPA filter. 

The air purifiers’ range should be sufficient for the size of the space. Check this before buying anything because they can only filter the air in a specific area.

3. Brush & Bathe Regularly

Before allergens are discharged into the air and settle on surfaces, regular pet brushing can help capture and remove them. Additionally, regular tooth brushing has a lot of other benefits. It fosters companionship, maintains the health of your cat’s coat, and prevents the growth of unattractive matted clumps. Make an effort to brush your cat every day, and use a brush that is suitable for cats.

Bathing is much more efficient in removing allergens. However, cats hate water, so cleaning them is difficult. Use only cat-specific shampoos to prevent irritating their skin.

Also Read: How to Bathe a Cat or Kitten? – A Guide to Cat Bathing

4. Create Allergy-Free Zones

An allergic person should be in an allergen-free environment Or a location where their pets are not permitted. If you need a break or have extreme allergies, you can use this space as a refuge. You may use HEPA filters as protection. 

Since you’ll spend a lot of time lying in the bedroom when you sleep every night, you’ll have more prolonged and more severe exposure to the allergens. As a result, an allergic reaction will be more severe. So moving into a safe zone by keeping animals out of the bedroom is another option.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line on Why Am I Allergic To Cats But Not Dogs

Contrary to popular belief, cats can trigger allergies in people rather than dogs. The proteins that cause allergies in cats are considerably different. There is also a lot more of this protein already there. Additionally, it gets everywhere because of the way cats groom themselves!

If you are allergic to cats, dogs, or both, it is imperative that the allergen levels remain low. You can all coexist comfortably and without sneezing, if you put forth a little additional effort.