Cat Allergens & How to Help Manage Them at Home

Person in red and white checkered pajamas sitting cross-legged on a dark blue couch, holding an orange cat on their lap.

Learn how smart habits and an indoor air care routine with Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer sprays and can help manage allergens like cat dander and more in your home.

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We love our kitties, but allergies? Not so much. Cat allergies are a common issue affecting millions of people worldwide. These allergies are primarily triggered by allergens found in cat dander, saliva and urine.1 When cats roam the house, groom themselves or cuddle up to you, these allergens can become airborne and spread. Understanding cat allergies can help you better manage and mitigate their impact on your day-to-day life.

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Common cat allergy symptoms

If you experience any of these and you own a cat, you may be allergic.2

  • Respiratory symptoms: Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath
  • Eye symptoms: Itchy, watery or red eyes
  • Skin reactions: Rashes, itching or hives, especially after contact
  • Asthma flareups: Tightness in chest, wheezing or difficulty breathing

Causes of cat allergies

Where do allergens from cats come from, exactly?

The primary culprit behind cat allergies is the Fel d 1 protein, which is present in cat saliva, dander and urine. When cats groom themselves, this protein is transferred to their fur and skin, eventually becoming airborne as dander. These tiny allergen particles can float through the air and settle on various surfaces within the home, including furniture, carpets and clothing. As a result, even brief contact with these surfaces can trigger allergic reactions, making it challenging to avoid exposure to cat allergens.

Fortunately, you don’t have to give up your life as a cat parent. Follow these steps to neutralize common allergens in the air and on soft surfaces, and to remove 99% of allergens, including pet dander, dust mite matter and cockroach matter that settle on hard, nonporous surfaces.

What you need

Steps to help reduce cat allergens at home

  1. Neutralize indoor allergens

    To neutralize allergens including non-living pollen, dust mite matter and pet dander, spray the air with Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer Daily Air Spray and hit soft surfaces and fabrics with Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer Fabric & Carpet Spray as directed. Clorox PURE was developed with Allergists, and neutralizes allergens by permanently changing the shape of the proteins so they can’t bind to your body’s receptors. No wonder Dr. Michael O’Connell, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, Board-Certified Allergist is calling Clorox PURE “a gamechanger for allergy sufferers!”

  2. Clean your home

    Remove pet allergens from hard, nonporous surfaces throughout your home by wiping hard, nonporous surfaces clean with a Clorox Disinfecting Wipe. Let air dry. For larger cleaning jobs, spray Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach Spray 4 to 6 inches from surface until thoroughly wet. Let stand for 3 minutes. Wipe clean. For surfaces that may come into contact with food, a potable water rinse is required. Use as directed.

    Tip

    Don’t just clean where your cat hangs out. Surfaces like ceiling fans, fireplaces and molding can be typical places that dust and pet dander pile up.

  3. Don't forget your pet items

    Choose a cat bed with a removable cover and spray regularly with Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer Fabric & Carpet Spray. As with other fabric sprays, you should keep pets off treated surfaces until dry. By neutralizing cat allergen in the air and in your fabrics, you can significantly reduce your exposure. You might also want to wash the cover on a weekly basis. If your pet bed does not have a removable cover, we recommend vacuuming it regularly to help reduce allergens. Don’t forget other items like cat trees, scratching posts and carriers, and consider frequently washing your bedding and clothing.

  4. Groom your cat

    Brush your cat regularly, ideally outside if possible, to help reduce the amount of loose fur and dander. Grooming wipes can also help remove allergens from their coat. You may want to have someone without allergies handle grooming duties.

    Tip

    Follow up your grooming routine with Clorox Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths to wipe or mop floors clean. Let air dry.

  5. Limit contact where possible

    Increased exposure to cat dander can flare up those allergies. It may be a good idea to keep your cat out of your bedroom and off upholstered furniture, and minimize close contact like hugging, petting or kissing your cat.

  6. Manage your symptoms

    Talk to your doctor to manage your symptoms. They may recommend taking over-the-counter allergy medication when needed or immunotherapy that can help reduce your sensitivity over time.

Best products for allergen management and removal

HEPA filters and other products in the market may help manage pet allergens at home.

While having a cat also means living with allergens, a regular allergen maintenance routine may help you manage their effects. Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer sprays can help neutralize pet dander, dust mite matter and non-living pollen.

According to Dr. Michael O’Connell, Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer Fabric & Carpet Spray is a targeted treatment specifically designed by internal leading scientists to neutralize common indoor allergens such as pet dander and dust mite particles, so that those proteins can’t trigger allergic reactions in your body. And Clorox PURE leaves behind a freshened fragrance in fabrics that enhances the pleasure of a clean environment.

On top of that, Clorox Disinfecting Wipes remove 99% of allergens on hard surfaces, including pet dander, dust mite matter and cockroach matter, while Clorox™ Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths can help remove allergens on floors.

According to an Allergist at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, cat dander is the smallest pet dander particle.3 Air purifiers equipped with True HEPA filters can capture up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dust, pollen, pet dander and mold spores, significantly improving indoor air quality.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Do hypoallergenic cat breeds exist?

While no cat breed is completely hypoallergenic, some breeds are known to produce fewer allergens and may be more suitable for people with allergies. These include Siberian and Siamese.

Can you develop cat allergies later in life?

Yes. Our immune systems are constantly evolving, as are our lives. For example, you may adopt a cat who sheds much more than your childhood cat. Or perhaps your cat sleeps in your bed now when it didn’t used to. Even your cat’s gender can be a factor — researchers say you’re more likely to be allergic to male cats than females.5

Are some people more prone to cat allergies?

Yes, usually due to genetics. A family history of allergies, asthma, hay fever or eczema are more likely to develop cat allergies. Additionally, some individuals may have a more sensitive immune system that reacts negatively to pet allergens.

Can I still have a cat if I’m allergic?

While removing a cat from the home is the best approach for most allergy sufferers, we know that may not be an option. Dr. Michael O’Connell recommends keeping cats out of the bedroom, along with regular daily use of Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer Daily Air Spray in any room the cat occupies, and PURE Allergen Neutralizer Fabric & Carpet Spray on difficult-to-clean fabrics.