Allergic to Cats? Don't Give Up Yet!

What if you love cats—but someone in your family is allergic?

Does that automatically mean you can't have a cat?

Not necessarily.

In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly answers a question from 10-year-old Aurora, whose dad has allergies but who hopes to welcome a new kitten into the family. Molly explains what actually causes cat allergies, about "hypoallergenic cats", how allergen-reducing cat foods and toppers work, and the environmental changes that can help reduce allergen exposure.

Most importantly, she explains why there isn't one magic solution. From specialized food and HEPA filtration to keeping the bedroom cat-free, smart cleaning, grooming, hand washing, and working with an allergist, cat allergy management is about reducing exposure at multiple points—not eliminating the cat.

And if you're considering bringing a particular cat into an allergy-sensitive household, Molly has one especially important recommendation: Test before you commit.