Did you know that one third of those who suffer from allergies suffer from pet allergies too? I consider myself extremely lucky to not be allergic to cats. For someone who is allergic, being near a cat can cause a reaction that is not pretty and downright miserable. For those cat allergy sufferers, the misery begins shortly after they come in contact with cat dander, saliva, or urine.
And while there are some purebred cat breeds (like the Russian Blue, for example) that are thought to be hypoallergenic, most people who are allergic to cats choose to avoid cats entirely for fear of having an allergic reaction. And it’s not the actual cat itself that people are allergic to, but the feline dander that finds it way all around the home from the cat’s shed fur. For those who have an allergy to cats, it’s just that they have an over-sensitive immune system which triggers their body’s response.
The Fel d 1 allergen produced in a cat’s saliva that’s spread onto their coat while grooming is to blame when it comes to the cat allergy. And this is what triggers the coughing, sneezing, and itchy and watery eyes that cat allergy sufferers experience when exposed to felines.
According to the DailyMail, Purina has had scientists working for the past decade studying the exact causes of cat allergies. From their research, they discovered that cat saliva was the main culprit which has folks sneezing and coughing.
So, what did they do? Well, they work diligently to find a way to develop a specific formula of food for felines for those who suffer from cat allergies.
After careful research, the scientists for Purina discovered something extraordinary. By adding a key ingredient, a specific type of special protein only found in eggs, they were able to create a food that would neutralize the protein for cat allergies found in cat saliva.
The new food, which is called Pro Plan LiveClear has proven effective, too. Their studies have shown a reduction in those who have cat allergies up to 47% after just three weeks of their cat switching to Pro Plan LiveClear.
Dr. Kurt Venator, DVM, PhD, Chief Veterinary Officer at Purina, says that,
“Cat owning households are trying a variety of ways to manage cat allergens – but ultimately 62 percent say their current methods are only somewhat effective or not effective at all. Pro Plan LiveClear offers a revolutionary new approach to managing cat allergens, with the power to help cat owners be closer to the cats they love.”
We know that cats are obligate carnivores, so is this food technically “safe” for them to eat? Well, Purina took a close look at that, too. When looking at the new food’s impact on digestion, it found that it was purrfectly safe for consumption and did not lead to indigestion.
Hopefully this breakthrough can help to reduce the amount of cats ending up in shelters each year. Dr. Maggie Roberts, Director of Veterinary Services at Cats Protection in the UK said that,
“Unfortunately, human allergies are a major cause of cat relinquishment – in 2019, 1,320 cats were sadly given up for adoption to Cats Protection due to human sensitivities to cat allergens.”
If you or someone you know suffers from cat allergies, this new food for cats could certainly help. If you’d like to see for yourself what others are raving about, click here to read more about this new food.
For the original press release on this survey and Purina cat allergy food, visit here. You can also find the food for sale at your local Petsmart, Petco, and Chewy.com.
