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Pets are cherished family members, bringing love, companionship, and joy. But for those with pet allergies, that love can come with a side of sneezing, itching, and wheezing. Jaxson is allergic to both cats and dogs, but before he was born, we had two cats. We had to find a way to co-exist with our furry family members while managing the allergies. It wasn’t just the fur we had to manage, but also the allergens in the cat’s food.

Jaxson’s pet allergies are triggered by proteins found in dander (tiny flakes of skin), saliva, and fur (which can trap allergens like dust and pollen). He usually takes Zyrtec for his seasonal allergies and occasional eczema flare-ups. We’ve found that this helps a lot, especially when we travel and are around other pets. His symptoms are mainly sneezing, though there are times when his eczema flares up too.

We already had Pandora (a flame point Siamese) and Nikko (a Siamese) when Jaxson was born. At first, we didn’t notice that he had a pet allergy until we went through food allergy testing. As part of the process, the doctors also ran an environmental allergy panel. To our surprise, the results showed that Jaxson was allergic to not only cats and dogs but also various trees.

Managing Pet Allergies at Home

To reduce exposure when Jaxson was younger, we created pet-free zones in the house. We made sure the cats stayed out of his room and off the couch in the living room. Since several family members were already allergic to the cats, we kept the guest room doors closed anyway, so Jaxson’s room was just another room we kept off-limits. We also used air purifiers to help filter out pet dander and allergens.

As Jaxson grew older, we noticed his pet allergy seemed to improve (at least one allergy got better!). He didn’t sneeze as much, and when we took him off his Zyrtec during the winter months, he was fine in the house. Sadly, our two beloved cats passed away, and we went about a year without a pet.

Hello Twilight!

In July of this past summer, we brought home Twilight and wow did she shake things up! We adopted Twilight from Second Chance Pet Adoptions in Raleigh (an amazing place by the way) . Twilight is a special kitty; she had been shot in the tail, which had to be amputated. But even without her tail, she’s full of energy and curiosity—and she absolutely refuses to follow any of our rules! She breaks… every… single… one!

Twilight loves to sit wherever she wants and snuggle up with Jaxson. He absolutely adores her and has found his furry best friend for life. Unlike Nikko and Pandora, who never slept near him and rarely sat next to him, Twilight believes she’s meant to claim that spot. She sleeps at the end of his bed most nights. At first, I was very hesitant, but Jaxson has been doing great! After consulting with both his allergist and ENT doctor, they believe he’s fine with her close contact.

The Challenge with Pet Food

Since Jaxson is allergic to so many foods, he was never able to interact with our pets during mealtime. But with Twilight, I took the time to search for pet food that wouldn’t trigger his allergies. It turns out, it’s healthier for her too! We found dry food that Jaxson can handle, so now he can even help with feeding.

We still have a few rules that the humans in the house follow:

✔ Wash hands after handling pets – Especially important for kids who love to cuddle!
✔ Vacuum and clean frequently – A HEPA-filter vacuum helps remove pet dander from carpets and furniture.
✔ Change air filters regularly – We follow my husband’s theory of buying mid-grade filters but changing them more often, which he says is better for the AC unit. (I’m no expert in that area, so I trust him!)

Alternatives for Animal Lovers with Severe Allergies

There was a time where I thought we wouldn’t be able to have pets in our home and had to think of ways Jaxson could still enjoy animals without constant exposure. Here was my short list:

✔ Volunteer at an animal shelter (with precautions like masks and handwashing)
✔ Visit pet-friendly cafes, farms, or friends with pets for short, controlled interactions
✔ Support pet rescue organizations like Second Chance online through donations or virtual adoptions

Family pet allergies can be a tough thing, especially if you love animals. We found the right strategies that worked for us. If all else fails, there are alternative ways to interact with animals. We were able to give Twilight her forever home and Jaxson a best friend – that’s a win-win for us!

Links to things I mentioned in this post:

Honeywell Allergen Plus Air Purifier (we have older version) https://amzn.to/3EqEHVb

Nulo Dry Cat Food https://amzn.to/3WPY2p4

Home Air Filters https://amzn.to/3Q7iy0Y Also at home depot!

Not linked – we use an older version Dyson Vacuum

Disclosure: clicking on the affiliate links above will take you to Amazon. No pressure, just sharing the brands I use regularly, but thanks for supporting my website!