Anonymous wrote:Is fostering a good way to "test" allergies? DD has pet allergies. We have been in homes (usually with multiple cats and dogs) where her allergies were so bad we had to leave. But also have been in homes with pets where she was totally fine. If we were to foster, is there a commitment for how long you have to keep the cat? I am concerned about getting a cat that triggers her allergies. This could also help us find a cat that we could adopt if DD is ok with it.

Any other advice in this situation? Particular organizations? Thanks!

A reputable fostering agency will not approve you as a foster under these circumstances. Sphinx cats still cause reactions in allergic people. For the sake of your child and the cat, you should not introduce a cat to your household. I used to work in an animal shelter, and we would discourage families in this circumstance for this reason. Pets deserve forever homes.

Wow! No!! I love cats, but will never again have one as a pet since my husband and son are allergic to both cats and dogs. The dog allergy is much more mild (fortunately). We have a poodle, not a mix, and it is perfect as no one has a reaction to him.

1. Do not foster until you have more specific knowledge of what allergies your child has and how allergic your child is.

2. Go to an allergist for skin test and blood work. Cat allergies are much more frequent than allergies to dogs or other species. Yet even with cat allergies, a very small number of cats will not trigger allergies because they produce less Feld1 protein.

3. Does she have asthma, or are symptoms “merely” eyes streaming, itching, sneezing and coughing? You don’t mess around with asthma, because constant triggers will lead to permanent airway damage. There are a few other serious allergy symptoms that you need to avoid at all costs: I’ve had corneal damage in my eyes because of severe allergic reactions.

4. If she’s allergic to cats and you desperately want a cat, there are breeders who specialize in breeding cats with very low levels of Feld1 (they test each cat to make sure). If you have $8K for a very low allergen Siberian cat...

Get a hairless cat.

I have thought about this too OP since my son tested positive at age 5 but seems to have outgrown it when we visit my parents.

No.

What?! No

Just don’t get a pet.

I’m allergic and asthmatic and spent my childhood with constant allergy and asthma because my parents prioritized having a pet over my health. It was ridiculous that they made me suffer like that.

She has been tested, that's how we know. She has been around cats with no reaction. We also had one when DD was little and it didn't seem to affect her.

Is there any kind of cute/furry pet that would be safe? We have thought about hamsters, gerbils, etc. but those could trigger allergies too. Maybe our best bet is a fish...

Why would you do that? Dear a God! And I love cats! No allergies in our house. We have a dog, no cat.

Test for allergies with an allergist. Cat allergies are to all cats. You can control the reaction in some small part by meticulous cleaning but it’s really not fair to a cat allergic child, or the foster agency, to test things out like that. Some cat allergies are anaphylactic. Don’t mess around with them.

Never!!! Her throat could close!

no

Is fostering a good way to "test" allergies? DD has pet allergies. We have been in homes (usually with multiple cats and dogs) where her allergies were so bad we had to leave. But also have been in homes with pets where she was totally fine. If we were to foster, is there a commitment for how long you have to keep the cat? I am concerned about getting a cat that triggers her allergies. This could also help us find a cat that we could adopt if DD is ok with it.

Any other advice in this situation? Particular organizations? Thanks!