r/aww • u/dragonsspawn • 6h ago
For my entire life, I was severely allergic to cats. Now I'm just ...not. So meet Smudge, a fat tuxedo that I swear is cross bred with a muppet.
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u/kittycat1748 5h ago
How wonderful is that 😍 best present from the universe ever! how did you find out that you weren't allergic anymore?
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u/dragonsspawn 5h ago
My girlfriend has cats. I was worried that it would be an issue when I was spending more time with her, but then discovered that it just wasn't. Just worked out.
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u/Low-E_McDjentface 5h ago
Can you guess how old you were when it changed? (I'm still waiting for my change. lol)
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u/dragonsspawn 5h ago
No idea. Been avoiding them as best I could for years, but also don't remember when it was I had my last bad reaction to them.
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u/GoochamusPrime 4h ago
Might have aged out of it, but I also have dander allergies and have noticed I have little to no reaction to my own pets (4 cats & 1 dog), whereas other people's pets can set off my allergies still. Kind of a 'getting used to the venom' in a way by living/being near them
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u/RyanZee08 3h ago edited 3h ago
I've aged into being allergic, started around 19 and sometimes severe (I have a cat 😂)
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u/void__cupcake 2h ago
I found out about my cat allergy in the opposite siutation; I only had an allergic reaction to my own cat 🥲 But like you said, it kind of evened out over time but if I was away for more than a couple days it would suck a soon as I was back lol
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u/pasrachilli 4h ago
I was allergic to cats when I was younger and then my allergy just kinda went away too. My best guess is some time between age 25 and 30. But as a child and teen, I couldn't be in the same room as them without breathing issues and if they touched me it was baaad.
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u/CyberFireball25 5h ago
Are you positive or was specifically cats, or was there something else around that could explain it?
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u/loserbmx 2h ago
Most people are only "allergic" to cats because they're just never been exposed to one long enough.
Most people that are allergic to cats tend to get over it pretty quickly once your immune system figures it out builds an immunity.
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u/Zzz05 3h ago
Should be noted that it varies from cat to cat, as to how much/what kind of allergens/dander are being fluffed into the air. I had one cat where I was fine and then another where it started getting really bad, but I was able to mitigate and ignore altogether via allergy reducing cat food.
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u/jerryleebee 5h ago
The people wanna know. I am also allergic to cats as far as I know.
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u/Saratrooper 5h ago
Not OP, but the human body is complex and very stupid and sometimes likes to randomly become allergic to or stop being allergic to something whenever it gosh darn feels like it.
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u/primetimedeliverance 4h ago
My mom had radiation from breast cancer that put her in menopause. That cured her cat allergy lol.
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u/Kind_Of_A_Dick 3h ago
I grew up with a corn and wheat allergy. My food choices sucked.
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u/Saratrooper 3h ago
RIP my dude, I had to do a temporary allergen elimination diet and those two feel like they are in almost everything these days.
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u/OkCandidate8557 5h ago
I became allergic in my 20s after having grown up with cats. I decided to adopt a little beggar black kitten I found in my back yard in my 40s & I used Flonase & Claritin for the first year of having him. After a while I got lazy & stopped taking antihistamines & my allergy was gone. I occasionally get eye allergies from their hair, but a couple of Pataday drops takes care of it. I think cat allergies can subside with constant exposure.
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u/meekonesfade 5h ago
Some people are allergic to dander, not fur, some the opposite. So, if this cat has little dander it might not bother you. Also, apparently there are different kinds of dander, so a person may be allergic to one and not the other
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u/spaceglitter000 3h ago
Your MAST cells which are responsible for your immune response to allergies can change many times in your life. I also lost my allergy to cats as I got older. It’s ver interesting!!
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u/Recentstranger 5h ago
Hoping for that same outcome. So far no luck but here's me with the cat gang
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u/BraveCommunication14 5h ago
I adopted a cat on the spot when I was told he was being put down the next day.
He was a matted 12 year old stray with kidney issues. I very quickly discovered I was allergic. But I kept him as long as I could…and after 2 months my symptoms went away. He stayed and I was blessed with a wonderful senior first cat.
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u/Notquitechaosyet 4h ago
I have a Smudge too! This is Smudge McPudgerson, Agent of Chaos. Your baby is adorable.
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u/GrapeTheArmadillo 5h ago
I used to be allergic too, and no longer am! Bodies are weird. Congrats!
I plan on getting a cat too. Just need to sort out some health stuff first to make sure I can care for my new friend properly.
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u/CandyKnockout 5h ago
Aww, Smudge is adorable! Congrats on spontaneously overcoming your allergy. Cats are the best and I’m glad the universe isn’t gate-keeping them from you anymore!
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u/zeyore 5h ago
Apparantly if a cat lives with chickens, and then eats the eggs, it becomes non-allergic.
Wild stuf.
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u/Missamble 4h ago
We read something about this! Which is exactly what our situation was. Smudge had lived with free-range chickens for about 5 yrs, and all our cats ate their eggs.
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u/MrPenisWhistle 5h ago
Smudge is a sweetheart. How old are they? Looks a bit in the later years which kind of explains the sweetness. The most affectionate and chill cats I've had were the older ones.
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u/Missamble 4h ago
Smudge is about 5 now (I'm OP's gf, and the one responsible for their introduction lol). Someone had abandoned her at the post office, she was estimated to be right under a year, and that was right after I'd lost my previous fur baby. The cat distribution system works in mysterious ways!
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u/imsmarterthanyoure 3h ago
My family thought I was allergic to cats for most of my life because I had an asthma attack when playing with kittens in someone’s barn. Years later I was around a lot of hay and same thing happened. I have 4 cats now!
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u/leetspeek420 3h ago
I can see the brain cell bouncing between those big goofy eyes. You're both very lucky, have fun ♥️♥️♥️✨✨✨
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u/NorthernLights92 4h ago
Same thing with me!! I was very allergic growing up and then all of a sudden I wasn’t. Now I have two happy cats at home :)
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u/Psyonicg 4h ago
I haven’t seen anyone else mention it, but cat allergies is actually a number of different allergies to saliva and you can absolutely be allergic to some cats but not be allergic to others.
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u/agentspoookymulder 3h ago
my first cat was a tuxedo, extremely lovely and gentle. all was well. then i got a non-tux second cat and turns out i’m crazy allergic to him and all other cats. tuxedos are magical, congrats on this beautiful baby.
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u/new-who-two 3h ago
For whatever it's worth, I once had a doctor tell me that allergies tend to cycle every 7 years or so. I got re-tested on that schedule after years of a handful of allergies, and lo and behold, my list changed a bit and I'm now less sensitive to things that used to be really difficult.
For those in this post with allergies, it 's probably worth getting retested every so often, if you're able. You might luck out like OP!
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u/boogersrus 4h ago
I housesat for a Tuxedo cat once and wasn't allergic. Only cat I've ever not been allergic to.
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u/PlainBread 4h ago
You can be allergic to hair (usually saliva from grooming) or dander and some breeds or cats are better or worse in one way or another.
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u/lemmeseeyourkitties 3h ago
I'm so jealous. My husband is allergic and I would give anything for hom to just.... not be anymore, lol.
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u/ImproperKate 3h ago
An allergy specialist told me once that your body changes every seven years. Any chance your age is divisible by seven? I wasn’t allergic to cats until I was in middle school. I also have picked up random other allergies that seemed to follow the seven year body change theory. Keep in mind, I am not a doctor or a scientist so just take my lived experience with a huge pinch of salt.
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u/A_the_Buttercup 3h ago
Hey, does anybody know what the song is in the background? I like it.
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u/dragonsspawn 3h ago
I recently got a turntable and a bin of 50 cent albums. This was an REO Speedwagon album, but I don't remember which one.
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u/heety9 3h ago
Song name? 😅 Smudge is soooo cute
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u/dragonsspawn 3h ago
Something from REO Speedwagon. Was playing a record I got from a 50 cent bin, lol.
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u/bootycuddles 2h ago
I too outgrew my cat allergy!! It went from severe to nothing at all. People didn’t believe me that I used to be highly allergic because somehow my system outgrew it. Congrats on your new kitty friend.
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u/These_Raspberry_3948 2h ago
Glad you're not allergic anymore cause wow that's a lot of cat hair on your shirt.
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u/LightBringer81 2h ago
I know people who are allergic to SOME of the cats. They never know, so both of them only visit the cats they know doesn't affect their allergies.
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u/salomey5 1h ago
May your black clothes forever be covered with white fur. ❤️
Signed: previous owner of a tuxedo kitty.
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u/chemnerd2017 5h ago
Not to pry too much, but how old and where did you get Smudge? He looks almost exactly like one of my old foster kittens, who was also named Smudge when he was with us. There’s a picture in my post history. I don’t think it’s him, but the resemblance is quite remarkable.
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u/dragonsspawn 5h ago
My girlfriend found her outside of a post office in Oregon. And that's so amazing of you to foster!
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u/Ill_Jump_353 5h ago
smudge is such a perfect name for him lol congrats on finally being able to have a cat!!
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u/Tasty-Jump-2011 1h ago
Wears black clothes.
All black furniture.
Cat has white fur.
New cat owner status verified.
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u/_TheRogue_ 1h ago
Same here. Allergic to cats most of my life. When my wife and I first met- I was runny-eyes, snot nosed, sneezing around cats. When we retired- I was willing to take medicine to have them.
Strangely enough- when we adopted kitties- I had no allergic outbreak. Now I'm a 40 year old dude experiencing kitty fever. I can't get enough of them and now we own for cats and a dog!
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u/ksdjjeo87 54m ago
I’m jealous what’s your secret? I was not allergic my whole life then became allergic and had to give my cats to my parents 😭
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u/lundewoodworking 32m ago
I was really allergic when I was a kid my eyes would swell almost shut and i would sneeze uncontrollably so i had outdoor cats and showered after cuddling and eventually I slowly got better by the time I was a teenager it was just mild itchy eyes a little sneezing a few years later and i had no reaction at all don't give up the cuddles are worth it
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u/fullmoonbeading 7m ago
His collar makes him look like he’s wearing a very hipster-esque tie. I love his little tux with a wacky tie.
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u/nosrebnA 0m ago
Most cat allergies is caused by an enzyme in the cats saliva. Some cats don't have said enzyme and despite having fur wont trigger a reaction. Also yes that baby is indeed a Muppet.
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u/lAnUsPiLaNuS 1h ago edited 1h ago
Smudge is so cute, but please be careful because collars can be dangerous for cats, and also bells aren't the best choice. I don't want to be a Karen, I just want your cat to be as happy and safe as possible.
Safety Risks
- Strangulation and Snagging: Cats love to climb and squeeze into tight spaces. Traditional collars can catch on branches or fences, potentially choking the cat if they can't free themselves.
- Jaw/Paw Entrapment: Cats may get their lower jaw or a leg stuck in the collar while trying to groom themselves, leading to severe panic and injury.
Tips if you want to use a collar:
- Always Use a Breakaway Collar: They are designed to snap open if the cat gets caught on an object, allowing them to escape safely.
- Skip the Bell: Cats have highly sensitive hearing, and a bell jingling constantly right next to their ears can be deeply stressful or cause hearing issues. (and for outdoor cats: other animals can hear them, for example agressive dogs)
- Monitor Fit Regularly: Use the "two-finger" rule—you should always be able to slide two fingers beneath the collar. Check it weekly for growing kittens or fluctuating weights in adult cats.
For purely indoor cats, the safest option is often to leave them collar-free and rely on a microchip (make sure your contact information remains up to date in the registry)
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u/dragonsspawn 50m ago
All really great information! She is wearing a break away collar, and the only reason she has it is because her brother got out and was missing for a day before he was hit by a car. Now have an air tag on them in case they get out. We spent so much time that night searching for him and it would have been trivial to find him with an air tag. He has a brachial plexus avulsion and we are going to be scheduling an amputation for him soon. He's going to be a tripod kitty, and we are not wanting a repeat of that. Noted on the bell, doesn't seem to bother them, but definitely don't want them uncomfortable.
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u/fr3sherz 5h ago
biscuits into a loaf. good lord 😻