How large of a room can two cats cocmfortably live?

[zixxer]

I'm in a bit of a predicament. Basically, I'm highly allergic to cats... and only cats. Pollen doesn't bother me, nor does really anything else. I'm allergic enough to where if I'm around cats (i.e. live with them) after a week or so I'm coughing up bloody mucus every morning - my skin breaks out, etc. claritin/benedryl helps, but doesn't completely eliminate it. I can stand cats in short doses (friends house, etc) but not living with them.. And they aren't allowed in the bedroom, we vacuum once a week, and so on.

That being said, after she met me (but before we were serious) my g/f bought two long haired kittens. Long story short, they ended up at my house with the both of us (since she only went to her apt to feed/care for them). After ~5-6 months I basically told her I couldn't take it - my Dr was hesitant to do allergy shots since I'm ONLY allergic to cats and I was/am absolutely miserable. She tried some stuff to help the allergies (allerpet, shaving them, etc) but ultimately it isn't really working. Also, i simply don't want pets. They're messy, hairy, litter is all over the house 1 day after vacuuming, their ****** stinks, and they 'sometimes' piss on things. (couch)

So now that I've said that the cats and I can't live together - they've gotta go she's very very upset - basically she's getting her own apartment and moving out. Her words are 'it's a package deal - me and the kitties'. I'm not backing down - I feel like she shouldn't consciously be making me miserable - like she should put me before the cats, especially since she hasn't had them for all *that* long.. I've probably played with them more than she has.


I'm wondering if clearing out a spare bedroom (15ft x 15ft) - putting in a tv and spare couch + toys, etc etc is large enough for two cats to be comfy?

 

[Wapp]

PICS or BAN

Edit: To contribute, cats need room to play and keeping them locked up is not fair. They aren't goldfish.

 

[bonkers325]

yes, but they wont get much exercise

 

[spidey07]

The cats will be plenty fine.

But there isn't really a good outcome to this. That's a core incompatibility that can't be worked out.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Is this you?

 

[mooglekit]

Originally posted by: spidey07
The cats will be plenty fine.
But there isn't really a good outcome to this. That's a core incompatibility that can't be worked out.

I tend to agree with this...and even if the cats are confined, air flows between rooms, so you'd never be entirely allergy free, especially if you are as allergic as you lead us to believe...

 

[erniec]

ask the cats :roll:

 

[ggnl]

It would work for the short term, but you can't just lock them in a room for the rest of their lives. You'll need to find better accomodations eventually.

 

[gerwen]

Got any pics of the cats after being shaved?

Taking the benadryl/claritin, how bad are your symptoms? Have you tried other otc allergy meds? Some give much better results than others, and they are different for each individual.

I could see her point if you just didn't like her cats, but it's your health we're talking about. Stand firm. Allergies do kill people. If she's not willing to bend on something so fundamental as your health vs her kitties, it may be better to just send all three of them packing.

Kitties locked in a room isn't a good solution for the cats, you, or your girlfriend. Forget that one.

 

[Shadowknight]

What may help slightly (and I do mean slightly, given your sever allergies) is to get a HEPA airfilter for the apartment. You can try using and air purifier and a using a HEPA vacuum to clean the apartment twice a week, but in your case you'll need to get rid of them, either by convincing your girlfriend or breaking up with her if she's not willing. I mean, your health is more important than a relationship with a girl, really.

 

[yowolabi]

Originally posted by: gerwen
Got any pics of the cats after being shaved?

Taking the benadryl/claritin, how bad are your symptoms? Have you tried other otc allergy meds? Some give much better results than others, and they are different for each individual.

I could see her point if you just didn't like her cats, but it's your health we're talking about. Stand firm. Allergies do kill people. If she's not willing to bend on something so fundamental as your health vs her kitties, it may be better to just send all three of them packing.

Kitties locked in a room isn't a good solution for the cats, you, or your girlfriend. Forget that one.

There's not much to add to this. I'd say you should do everything in your power to control your allergies. A lot of literature that i've seen says that it's likely you're reaction to these cats will lessen over time. If you're unwilling to make a full effort because you hate the cats anyway, then you might as well break up now.

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: gerwen
Got any pics of the cats after being shaved?

Taking the benadryl/claritin, how bad are your symptoms? Have you tried other otc allergy meds? Some give much better results than others, and they are different for each individual.

I could see her point if you just didn't like her cats, but it's your health we're talking about. Stand firm. Allergies do kill people. If she's not willing to bend on something so fundamental as your health vs her kitties, it may be better to just send all three of them packing.

Kitties locked in a room isn't a good solution for the cats, you, or your girlfriend. Forget that one.

While taking claritin and benedryl (claritin every morning, benedryl only when it's REALLY bad, nasanex, and sometimes zyrtec) anytime I'm inside the house I have itchy eyes and have a 'sneezing fit' every 30 minutes or so. If I'm in the living room watching tv I have to take out my contacts (since they're in the living room and junk) and sneeze more often. If I'm the bedroom or my office (they aren't allowed in there) I have itchy eyes, and sneeze rarely.. once every couple hours maybe.


The worst part is waking up, going straight to the toilet and coughing up/blowing blood out of my nose/sinuses. My mouth tastes like metal all the time (Called dr, and he said it's my sinus trying to heal - basically I'm tasting dried blood/white blood cells or something and TO GET THE CATS OUT.) This happens whether I take claritin and everything or not. He also pointed out that she should be taking care of this herself.


Bleh.

 

[So]

I'm sorry, but I see little room for the relationship to work, long term. She's not going to give up the cats, and you can't live with them. There is no happy middle ground there. If you get her to give the cats up, she'll resent it on some level, and always want some, and you should not give up your health, no matter what.

 

[deerslayer]

If she cares more about the cats than your allergies and well-being, let her go. She's not worth it.

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: yowolabi

Originally posted by: gerwen
Got any pics of the cats after being shaved?

Taking the benadryl/claritin, how bad are your symptoms? Have you tried other otc allergy meds? Some give much better results than others, and they are different for each individual.

I could see her point if you just didn't like her cats, but it's your health we're talking about. Stand firm. Allergies do kill people. If she's not willing to bend on something so fundamental as your health vs her kitties, it may be better to just send all three of them packing.

Kitties locked in a room isn't a good solution for the cats, you, or your girlfriend. Forget that one.

There's not much to add to this. I'd say you should do everything in your power to control your allergies. A lot of literature that i've seen says that it's likely you're reaction to these cats will lessen over time. If you're unwilling to make a full effort because you hate the cats anyway, then you might as well break up now.

Not sure where you get that I hate the cats. I really like them, actually. They're both a lot of fun and nice/loving cats.

I think I am making a full effort - They've been here for literally months and my allergies to them have only gotten worse - I take meds every day to try and help it. The absolutely only thing I haven't done is get allergy shots, which I'm fairly hesitant to do - I've read a lot online and the side effects can be severe. My doc also said that if I'm ONLY allergic to cats, it's hard to recommend allergy shots.. The shots are really for people that are allergic to a variety of things that uncontrollably affect your life (pollen, mold, etc).

 

[So]

Originally posted by: zixxer

Originally posted by: gerwen
Got any pics of the cats after being shaved?

Taking the benadryl/claritin, how bad are your symptoms? Have you tried other otc allergy meds? Some give much better results than others, and they are different for each individual.

I could see her point if you just didn't like her cats, but it's your health we're talking about. Stand firm. Allergies do kill people. If she's not willing to bend on something so fundamental as your health vs her kitties, it may be better to just send all three of them packing.

Kitties locked in a room isn't a good solution for the cats, you, or your girlfriend. Forget that one.

While taking claritin and benedryl (claritin every morning, benedryl only when it's REALLY bad, nasanex, and sometimes zyrtec) anytime I'm inside the house I have itchy eyes and have a 'sneezing fit' every 30 minutes or so. If I'm in the living room watching tv I have to take out my contacts (since they're in the living room and junk) and sneeze more often. If I'm the bedroom or my office (they aren't allowed in there) I have itchy eyes, and sneeze rarely.. once every couple hours maybe.


The worst part is waking up, going straight to the toilet and coughing up/blowing blood out of my nose/sinuses. My mouth tastes like metal all the time (Called dr, and he said it's my sinus trying to heal - basically I'm tasting dried blood/white blood cells or something and TO GET THE CATS OUT.) This happens whether I take claritin and everything or not. He also pointed out that she should be taking care of this herself.


Bleh.

Listen to your doctor. GET RID OF THE CATS. I love cats, but this is sick. STOP SUFFERING.

 

[lokiju]

Might be time to get rid of the gf also.

Maybe ensure they'll get a good home by finding someone you know that'd take them? That might make her feel better about it.

You need to make her understand you can't control being allergic to them and that you do like them but your at the point of being in constant misery that the cats need to go.

FWIW I have two cats so its not like I don't like them or something.

 

[yllus]

Get rid of the girlfriend. Honestly, if your condition is that bad and she's still this stubborn, you're way better off without her.

 

[everman]

Sounds like she's doomed to be the crazy lady with a million cats, run away.

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: lokiju
Might be time to get rid of the gf also.

Maybe ensure they'll get a good home by finding someone you know that'd take them? That might make her feel better about it.

You need to make her understand you can't control being allergic to them and that you do like them but your at the point of being in constant misery that the cats need to go.

FWIW I have two cats so its not like I don't like them or something.

Her 'side' is that I should get allergy shots. She's allergic to LOTS of things, including cats and she gets shots like every week for it. To me, yes, if I was allergic to everything (inc. stuff out of my control) I would definitely get shots.. the risk outweighs the potential benefits.. My doc explained that people that are only allergic to one thing shouldn't get these shots (basically a type of steroid) because of the potential side affects. She says he's wrong.

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: Shadowknight
What may help slightly (and I do mean slightly, given your sever allergies) is to get a HEPA airfilter for the apartment. You can try using and air purifier and a using a HEPA vacuum to clean the apartment twice a week, but in your case you'll need to get rid of them, either by convincing your girlfriend or breaking up with her if she's not willing. I mean, your health is more important than a relationship with a girl, really.

I bought a hepa vacuum and it really didn't seem to change anything.. It was the #1 consumer reports vacuum. I have seriously looked into buying an entire house hepa filter (again, JUST because of the cats.. I already buy the best 3m filtrete filters and replace them once a month.) but since my air handler is in the attic it's very difficult to install house hepa filter.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Get rid of all the pussies...

 

[ATLien247]

How about getting a second doctor's opinion? If both tell you that allergy shots are not recommended, then you'll have a stronger case.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: zixxer

Originally posted by: lokiju
Might be time to get rid of the gf also.

Maybe ensure they'll get a good home by finding someone you know that'd take them? That might make her feel better about it.

You need to make her understand you can't control being allergic to them and that you do like them but your at the point of being in constant misery that the cats need to go.

FWIW I have two cats so its not like I don't like them or something.

Her 'side' is that I should get allergy shots. She's allergic to LOTS of things, including cats and she gets shots like every week for it. To me, yes, if I was allergic to everything (inc. stuff out of my control) I would definitely get shots.. the risk outweighs the potential benefits.. My doc explained that people that are only allergic to one thing shouldn't get these shots (basically a type of steroid) because of the potential side affects. She says he's wrong.

Is she a doctor also?

 

[Chaotic42]

Dump that bitch. She'd rather have you be miserably sick all the time than get rid of two cats she just bought? Sounds like a real winner there.