# Allergic to my jerkish cat **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 19, 2017, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395 "2017-06-19T19:44:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![slalexan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@slalexan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slalexan)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395/1 "2017-06-19T19:44:50Z")
I need some advice. I have a cat that has a few behavioral problems. Mainly, he pees inappropriately when the least bit stressed or annoyed. We manage this by reducing his stress, keeping his litter boxes clean and reducing areas where he can pee inappropriately. This works for the most part but it has gotten worse lately. Additionally, he absolutely hates other animals, of all kinds, and will not tolerate living with them. He gets very insecure and cries and hides and pees whenever he is around them. He’s usually ok if they are outside and he is inside but it still gets his stress levels up and then we have the first problem. I tell you this background because, this morning, I got hives from my cat licking and then gently nipping me. I have always been mildly allergic to him and knew that when I got him. I have managed my allergies by washing my hands, allergen filters on the furnace, frequent vacuuming and dusting, etc. In the six years I’ve had him, he’s never given me hives until today. The hives went down after I left for work. This leads to my questions. Does this mean my allergies are worsening? Should I see a doctor if I’ve only gotten hives once? And, finally, how do I rehome a cat with these behavioral problems? I don’t think I will rehome him just yet but I am worried. (I know the rules, I will post a picture from home. He’s a really handsome boy.) ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395/2 "2017-06-19T20:17:37Z")
Don’t let the cat lick or nip you. Cat allergies aren’t so much because of their fur but because of their saliva. You got worse symptoms because you got greater exposure to his saliva. As for stress: I’ve found that letting a cat have a spot which is theirs only can help them feel less stressed. A towel/cat bed in a dark place. Perhaps a vet can get him someone for stress. Thank you for making efforts to accommodate and keep him. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395/3 "2017-06-19T22:10:19Z")
Taking allergy medication may help (or different allergy medication, if you are already taking it). I was extremely allergic to cats at one point, despite having them my entire life. Touching them caused my eyes to swell, hives where I touched them, and I had a constant cough that turned out to be asthma. I got a series of allergy shots and don’t have any issues with cat allergies at all now. Something to think about. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395/4 "2017-06-19T22:28:25Z")
My brother takes allergy pills so he can have a dog. I think he takes Zyrtec. Aside from having to pay for it, there are no ill effects-- no side effects, in other words, and it completely eliminates all symptoms, plus it takes care of his seasonal allergies as well. As far as his behavior, I had a friend who had a cat with behavior problems, and it was to the point where she was thinking she might have to have him put down (he was very aggressive, and he was a big cat). The vet put him on Valium, as a last ditch effort to save his life. It worked. His aggression totally went away, but it didn’t change his essential personality. I would ask the vet about “medication.” I would not say the word “Valium.” If you ask for a benzo, even for your cat, the vet is likely to think you want it for yourself, despite the fact that 1.5mg a week aren’t going to do a thing for you. Besides, there might actually be something more effective out there, since my friend gave her cat Valium 20 years ago. Anyway, good luck. ---
**Author:** ![slalexan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@slalexan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slalexan)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395/5 "2017-06-19T22:50:51Z")
To be clear, he’s licked and bit me (gently) in the past without me getting hives. That’s why I found it so weird. Would kitty Valium help with his peeing problem? Has that happened for anyone? I have a tough time with allergy medicines. I haven’t found one I can tolerate long term as they all seem to give me horrible dry mouth. I haven’t tried all of them but Claritin and Zyrtec both do. And, as promised, my [beautiful,](http://imgur.com/aLQjEIU) [lovable,](http://imgur.com/GfVJE0j) [handsome,](http://imgur.com/k20EWjU) [Dusty cat](http://imgur.com/TqKJj4p). ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395/6 "2017-06-19T23:37:09Z")
You mention being allergic to him. Are you allergic with most cats? Could it be a reaction to something else? It seems strange for someone who’s allergic to cats to not have gotten hives in the past from cat licks and bites. ---
**Author:** ![slalexan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@slalexan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slalexan)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395/7 "2017-06-20T00:26:30Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > You mention being allergic to him. Are you allergic with most cats? Could it be a reaction to something else? It seems strange for someone who’s allergic to cats to not have gotten hives in the past from cat licks and bites. My symptoms have typically been eye itchiness, skin itchiness, runny nose, that kind of thing. I don’t think I’ve met a cat who hasn’t given me those symptoms. And I was diagnosed with a cat allergy by a doctor, though I don’t remember what test she used. I’m also allergic to tree pollen, for what it’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395/8 "2017-06-20T00:39:20Z")
Did you change his food recently, or give him new treats? You could be allergic to something he is eating. Real story: friend’s kid has a wheat allergy where kid gets hives from wheat, sometimes even just from skin exposure, not just from eating it. Their dog is fed a non-wheat containing food in case the kid (who is three) ever decides to sample it. One day, at another person’s house, kid plays with their dog, and the dog licks his face a lot. Kid breaks out in hives on face. Conclusion: dog’s food has wheat in it. (Kid given Benadryl and hydrocortisone creme-- hives gone in 1/2 hr.) Now, I’m not saying this is the only possibility, but it’s worth investigating. Also, has he recently had any flea treatments, even topical ones? Allegra made me sleepy, but I know people who swear by it. My husband takes Benadryl only when he has a cold or poison ivy, but it does not make him sleepy in the slightest. He’s a big guy, though. There are also prescription antihistamines, as well as hydrocortisone creme for hives. And you can buy children’s liquid Benadryl and use it topically. My son gets solar urticaria, and he needs topical Benadryl for it. Adorable cat! Definitely worth finding a solution. Don’t know if Valium will directly affect his peeing, but if the underlying cause is anxiety, it can help. BTW, you have had him checked for a bladder infection, right? You didn’t just jump to the assumption that this is behavioral? We had a cat who was prone to bladder infections, and when she had one, she would pee on stuff. We would call the vet, who after about the fifth one, didn’t even ask to see the cat anymore, she just left the meds (cost, about $6) at the front desk for us. Once the cat got one on a Saturday night, and the vet had to call it into a human pharmacy. $24. Doable, but sheesh. It was liquid. They asked us if we wanted flavoring. They didn’t have “tuna,” “Alfredo sauce,” or “mayonnaise,” so we said no. We mixed it with powdered kitten formula, and she loved it. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395/9 "2017-06-20T00:42:44Z")
> [@slalexan](#): > > My symptoms have typically been eye itchiness, skin itchiness, runny nose, that kind of thing. I don’t think I’ve met a cat who hasn’t given me those symptoms. And I was diagnosed with a cat allergy by a doctor, though I don’t remember what test she used. I’m also allergic to tree pollen, for what it’s worth. I guess I am technically allergic to cats, but my ONLY reaction is when I get fur in my eyes. If I can avoid that, I have no symptoms. If I do get fur in my eyes, I take OTC allergy eye drops and a Benadryl, and the redness and itching clear right up. ---
**Author:** ![slalexan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@slalexan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slalexan)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395/10 "2017-06-20T00:56:24Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Did you change his food recently, or give him new treats? You could be allergic to something he is eating No changes to his food but he did get some treat this week that we had never given him before. We had some friends over and he was being a really good boy for their 5 year old daughter so I gave her some treats to give him. That made him really happy. > [@](#): > > BTW, you have had him checked for a bladder infection, right? You didn’t just jump to the assumption that this is behavioral? He’s clean and healthy. That’s a first check before anything else. Vet didn’t say anything about medication for his stress but I also didn’t ask about it. ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395/11 "2017-06-20T01:14:01Z")
No advice on the allergies. ☹ However, I am ready, after two months using it on my own cat, to evangelize for a product called the Thundershirt for the anxiety-related behavior. It’s basically a Velcroed corset for your cat (or dog). The tightness around the torso is supposed to be comforting (like getting a hug). See [thundershirt.com](http://thundershirt.com) . You put it on and take it off as needed – I use it at night. It’s a bit pricy ($40-50, also available on Amazon or at pet stores), but they do have a decent return policy, and it’s helped a ton with my antsy old guy. Biggest problem I have had is freaking out that there’s something wrong with him when the vest’s on – he becomes extremely calm and affectionate. Like he’s rolling on MDMA or something. After trying multiple medications, suppplements, and behavior-based changes, this is by far the best luck I’ve had so far in controlling the midnight craziness. Not a 100% solution, but I’ll say 95% at last so far. Good luck, OP! I don’t know if the T-shirt will help in your situation or with your cat, but I’ll throw it out there as an idea. ---
**Author:** ![slalexan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@slalexan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slalexan)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395/12 "2017-06-20T14:35:29Z")
> [@snoe](#): > > No advice on the allergies. ☹ > > However, I am ready, after two months using it on my own cat, to evangelize for a product called the Thundershirt for the anxiety-related behavior. It’s basically a Velcroed corset for your cat (or dog). The tightness around the torso is supposed to be comforting (like getting a hug). See [thundershirt.com](http://thundershirt.com) . You put it on and take it off as needed – I use it at night. > > It’s a bit pricy ($40-50, also available on Amazon or at pet stores), but they do have a decent return policy, and it’s helped a ton with my antsy old guy. > > Biggest problem I have had is freaking out that there’s something wrong with him when the vest’s on – he becomes extremely calm and affectionate. Like he’s rolling on MDMA or something. After trying multiple medications, suppplements, and behavior-based changes, this is by far the best luck I’ve had so far in controlling the midnight craziness. Not a 100% solution, but I’ll say 95% at last so far. > > Good luck, OP! I don’t know if the T-shirt will help in your situation or with your cat, but I’ll throw it out there as an idea. I think I’ll try picking one up. Thank you, all of you! I think, apart from some tips, I was also looking for some validation that I keep working with my cat. A lot of my friends think I’m crazy for keeping him so long after that the first couple of times he peed outside his litter box. ---
**Author:** ![Taco\_the\_cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@Taco\_the\_cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taco_the_cat)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395/13 "2017-06-20T17:18:17Z")
You could try allergy shots. ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395/14 "2017-06-20T17:50:08Z")
> [@slalexan](#): > > I think I’ll try picking one up. If you do, I hope it works! It may also give you new nicknames for your cat (e.g. “Thunderbutt” or “Mister Thunderpants”). ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395/15 "2017-06-20T17:57:10Z")
> [@slalexan](#): > > I think, apart from some tips, I was also looking for some validation that I keep working with my cat. A lot of my friends think I’m crazy for keeping him so long after that the first couple of times he peed outside his litter box. You’re a mensch for trying, IMO! Hope you find something that works. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-my-jerkish-cat/789395/16 "2017-06-20T18:30:53Z")
as some one who has a severely mentally ill feline due to being traumatized and possibly brain damaged at birth(they think from watching her shes schizophrenic) they (the vets) think they were tossed out of a car (she was left in a plastic grocery bag with her sister and a dead sibling and who has been called "evil kitty " for so long that she comes to it occasionally you can just hang in there and hope she can at least tolerate people places and things… get medicine as long as you can afford it … theres other options some you wont like Its sad to see a cat cry to be petted when you and the cat knows the second you try shell lash out or run off , but she sometimes gets in her own little world and pees right in front of us in the living room and we have to use the spray bottle to get her attention and she shakes out of it like she has no clue where she is … If it wasn’t her and her sister weren’t the closest things ever they’d suggest letting her take the vet assisted nap …