Can Cat Food Reduce the Allergens From Cats?
There is a cat chow that was developed to help reduce the amount of major cat allergen (Fel d 1) in the environment where a cat lives. This is most likely the thing you may have heard about.
Pro Plan LiveClear is a cat food made by Purina. It reduces the major allergen after a cat eats it for several weeks. Chickens are immunized with the major cat allergen (Fel d 1). This makes them produce specific antibodies. These antibodies are then collected from the egg yolks of these chickens. They are then used to supplement the cat chow. When the cat eats this food the amount of the major allergen in the cat’s saliva and hair is reduced by these antibodies. This lowers the amount of cat allergen in the environment. The effectiveness of this technology has been confirmed in small studies.
Other general measures to reduce the amount of cat allergen in the home include:
- Making the bedroom a pet-free space
- Using a HEPA filter (high-efficiency particulate air filter) in the home to filter out allergens in the air including cat dander
- Vacuuming regularly (at least twice a week) with a CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® vacuum cleaner
Learn about more measures to reduce your exposure to cat allergens.
John M. James, MD, is a board-certified allergist. He is also President of Food Allergy Consulting and Education Services, LLC. He has worked as a medical specialist in the field of allergy, asthma, and immunology for over 30 years. Dr. James received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee. He is board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.
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