What can I do to make sure my sister doesn't get sick from my cat?
December 15, 2008 8:26 AM Subscribe
Going home to my parents' for Christmas with my cat, as is my sister, who is allergic to cats. What extra preventative actions can I take to minimize her reaction? Additional details inside.....
So I rescued a cat (I named Rhubarb) from my local SPCA early this year, much to the chagrin of my entire family as I had a history of being allergic to cats. Just as I knew would happen, I had a very snuffly couple of months at first, but now have zero allergic reaction to her. Despite the fact that it has all worked out well, my family (esp. my mother) harbours a fair bit of resentment towards Rhubarb because they see her as a stupid decision. Plus, my mom kinda doesn't like animals.
Fast forward to now -- It is Christmas and after over a month of negotiations and passive aggressive tactics (including my sending my animal loving aunt on the case to convince my mother) I have been given the go-ahead to bring Rhubarb home for the holidays. The problem everyone keeps bringing up is that my eldest sister (aged 31) will be home as well and is pretty allergic to cats and doesn't have the time to develop an immunity/tolerance to the dander as I did. To keep the peace this holiday season (and because I do care about my sister's health), I am trying to do as much as I can to keep her allergic reaction to an absolute minimum.
Measures taken so far:
- Rhubarb will be kept in my bedroom and the adjacent unfinished basement area ONLY, which is separated from the rest of the house by a door
- My sister's bedroom is also in the basement, but a fair distance from the bedroom I will be in and the unfinished section. Her door will also be kept closed at all times.
- a very large box of antihistamine will be purchased
Remaining Concerns:
- We have Venmar in our house, so there is concern that the allergens are just going to be blown through the whole house anyway.
- Rhubarb will be no doubt sleeping in bed with me every night (very snuggly cat that she is) and spending all day in my room with my clothes, so I am basically going to be a walking ball of cat dander
- my sister has rather sensitive lungs, and when her allergies act up she inevitably gets really asthmatic.
- my sister is fairly stupid when it comes to cuddly cats and will usually pick up and play with them, even though she knows it will make her ill. (This is actually my mother's biggest concern as well.)
Can anyone else think of anything else I can do to?
note: Kenneling Rhubarb isn't an option due to cost, and no friends/relatives can take her, so she has to come with me.
So I rescued a cat (I named Rhubarb) from my local SPCA early this year, much to the chagrin of my entire family as I had a history of being allergic to cats. Just as I knew would happen, I had a very snuffly couple of months at first, but now have zero allergic reaction to her. Despite the fact that it has all worked out well, my family (esp. my mother) harbours a fair bit of resentment towards Rhubarb because they see her as a stupid decision. Plus, my mom kinda doesn't like animals.
Fast forward to now -- It is Christmas and after over a month of negotiations and passive aggressive tactics (including my sending my animal loving aunt on the case to convince my mother) I have been given the go-ahead to bring Rhubarb home for the holidays. The problem everyone keeps bringing up is that my eldest sister (aged 31) will be home as well and is pretty allergic to cats and doesn't have the time to develop an immunity/tolerance to the dander as I did. To keep the peace this holiday season (and because I do care about my sister's health), I am trying to do as much as I can to keep her allergic reaction to an absolute minimum.
Measures taken so far:
- Rhubarb will be kept in my bedroom and the adjacent unfinished basement area ONLY, which is separated from the rest of the house by a door
- My sister's bedroom is also in the basement, but a fair distance from the bedroom I will be in and the unfinished section. Her door will also be kept closed at all times.
- a very large box of antihistamine will be purchased
Remaining Concerns:
- We have Venmar in our house, so there is concern that the allergens are just going to be blown through the whole house anyway.
- Rhubarb will be no doubt sleeping in bed with me every night (very snuggly cat that she is) and spending all day in my room with my clothes, so I am basically going to be a walking ball of cat dander
- my sister has rather sensitive lungs, and when her allergies act up she inevitably gets really asthmatic.
- my sister is fairly stupid when it comes to cuddly cats and will usually pick up and play with them, even though she knows it will make her ill. (This is actually my mother's biggest concern as well.)
Can anyone else think of anything else I can do to?
note: Kenneling Rhubarb isn't an option due to cost, and no friends/relatives can take her, so she has to come with me.
I am allergic to cats and I have had amazing success with Allegra for animal allergies. There are several different kinds of Allegra -- you have to get the one that specifies it's for animal allergies. There's also a lot to be said for thorough vacuuming.
As an aside, how long are you going to be home for Christmas? If it's 3-4 days the cat would be fine at home alone.
posted by kate blank at 8:33 AM on December 15, 2008
As an aside, how long are you going to be home for Christmas? If it's 3-4 days the cat would be fine at home alone.
posted by kate blank at 8:33 AM on December 15, 2008
Response by poster: I'm home for 10 days. Normally I would leave her on a weekend, but this is just too long.
I can see if Zyrtec or Allegra for pets is an option.
posted by gwenlister at 8:35 AM on December 15, 2008
I can see if Zyrtec or Allegra for pets is an option.
posted by gwenlister at 8:35 AM on December 15, 2008
Unless you're going to your folks for a month, leave the cat at home. It will be fine for at least 4 days on its own, maybe you could have a friend look in beyond that? It seems like you're inconveniencing the cat and your family for no real reason other than to make a point about your own judgment.
posted by Maisie Jay at 8:36 AM on December 15, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by Maisie Jay at 8:36 AM on December 15, 2008 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: No, I agree that leaving her would normally be fine, but I am leaving this friday - the 19th - and won't be back until the 2nd of January. Way too long.
Last time a asked a friend (the only friend that would be around this christmas I should add) to check in on her and feed her while I was away for 5 days forgot and I came home to a very hungry, very thirsty, and very pissed off cat. I'm not going down that road again.
posted by gwenlister at 8:43 AM on December 15, 2008
Last time a asked a friend (the only friend that would be around this christmas I should add) to check in on her and feed her while I was away for 5 days forgot and I came home to a very hungry, very thirsty, and very pissed off cat. I'm not going down that road again.
posted by gwenlister at 8:43 AM on December 15, 2008
First congratulations on taking care of a cat that needs a good home. I just think if your sister has a habit of picking up cats invest in a couple of those pet hair rollers with the sticky tape you can quickly get any hair off your clothes and bed ad throw those in a disposable plastic bag which can be tied up . Also get a package of hand wipes with the germ killing formula. They are disposable and affective. Good luck!
posted by Upon Further Review at 8:44 AM on December 15, 2008
posted by Upon Further Review at 8:44 AM on December 15, 2008
Can your cat stay with your animal-loving aunt?
posted by girlmightlive at 8:45 AM on December 15, 2008
posted by girlmightlive at 8:45 AM on December 15, 2008
Best answer: My husband is allergic to cats, so our kitten gets weekly (well, unless I forget...) baths with Allergroom Shampoo that I got from my vet. It seems to help a lot (along with keeping him out of the bedroom, and Zyrtec.)
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 8:50 AM on December 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 8:50 AM on December 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: The aunt isn't an option as her son, my cousin, is SEVERELY allergic to cats (worse than my sister). Cat allergies run deep in my family. LOL
Again, absolutely every other option has been explored, believe you me, and her coming home with me was a last resort option. So it isn't about other places she can go, but how to minimize the effect while she is with me at my parents.
Ooo, the shampoo is a good idea. I'll look into that.
posted by gwenlister at 8:52 AM on December 15, 2008
Again, absolutely every other option has been explored, believe you me, and her coming home with me was a last resort option. So it isn't about other places she can go, but how to minimize the effect while she is with me at my parents.
Ooo, the shampoo is a good idea. I'll look into that.
posted by gwenlister at 8:52 AM on December 15, 2008
Best answer: If the allergy is really bad and meds don't help sis during this period, one other option is to install some ventilation in the form of a small fan that fits in a basement window and basically pulls air out of the basement, so that allergen-laden air simply can't flow into the rest of the house. That, and/or a good air cleaner with a HEPA filter, running full blast in the general kitty romping area.
posted by beagle at 8:55 AM on December 15, 2008
posted by beagle at 8:55 AM on December 15, 2008
Best answer: I'm the husband mentioned above. When the kitty doesn't get a bath on schedule or I'm home quite a bit more than usual on the weekends (when the cat is upstairs), I have my wife use a quarantined clothes system. You could keep the bulk of your clothes upstairs, or somewhere they won't be snuggled by Rhubarb. One outfit/pajamas, then, would be for kitty time. Except in transit to the other clothes, you should never wear the pajamas outside of kittyspace.
As far as allergy meds go, for me, just one doesn't cut it. I do zyrtec (generic) in the morning and claritin in the evening.
posted by notsnot at 9:10 AM on December 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
As far as allergy meds go, for me, just one doesn't cut it. I do zyrtec (generic) in the morning and claritin in the evening.
posted by notsnot at 9:10 AM on December 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
A HEPA air filter might make a big difference for your sister.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 9:19 AM on December 15, 2008
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 9:19 AM on December 15, 2008
Keep your cat and your clothing separately. Keep your clothing in your suitcase, and your suitcase zipped up, or keep your whole suitcase in another room away from the cat. Or unpack your suitcase into drawers that you will keep closed. Plan to change throughout the day if you're playing with the cat.
Also, tell your sister not to be an idiot and leave the damned cat alone.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:42 AM on December 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
Also, tell your sister not to be an idiot and leave the damned cat alone.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:42 AM on December 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
I can't be in the same house with dander-producing animals for more than one night without becoming seriously ill. This situation would prevent me from spending the holidays with my family. I didn't discover this until the year my parents got a new dog a few months before Christmas and I ended up having to leave on Christmas Eve and book last minute travel to get away from the dog, leaving with my face swollen to twice its normal size and unable to breathe through my nose. I had never had a reaction that severe before, but sleeping in the same house as the dog, even though I never touched it and it was never in the room where I was sleeping, made me violently ill, despite taking several different allergy medications that normally work well for me.
My point is this: have a contingency plan in case all of your precautions don't work and your sister's allergy becomes intolerable. Make sure that either she or the cat or possibly both have an alternate place to stay in case it becomes clear a day or two in that they simply can't be in the same house for 10 days, despite your best efforts to accommodate them both. I understand that you're doing everything you can do make this work, but sometimes, things just don't work out the way we'd like them to, and we have to prepare for that. In my case, that means that I don't sleep over at my father's house anymore. It makes him upset, but that's life with a pet.
posted by decathecting at 9:44 AM on December 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
My point is this: have a contingency plan in case all of your precautions don't work and your sister's allergy becomes intolerable. Make sure that either she or the cat or possibly both have an alternate place to stay in case it becomes clear a day or two in that they simply can't be in the same house for 10 days, despite your best efforts to accommodate them both. I understand that you're doing everything you can do make this work, but sometimes, things just don't work out the way we'd like them to, and we have to prepare for that. In my case, that means that I don't sleep over at my father's house anymore. It makes him upset, but that's life with a pet.
posted by decathecting at 9:44 AM on December 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
Is there not a neighbor that is willing to feed your cat while you're gone? I have severe allergies and having to spend a week with a cat would make me miserable and pretty much ruin my holiday.
posted by chiababe at 9:45 AM on December 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by chiababe at 9:45 AM on December 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
You're pretty much guaranteeing a miserable time for someone. If your sister so much as sneezes your mom will be on your case. A lot of energy is going to be expended trying to make sure the cat stays in your room and away from your sister. Mom already doesn't like animals and isn't impressed with your decision to get a cat. Your sister is predisposed to picking up cute, cuddly cats that make her sick.
Re-read your second and third paragraphs. Given that situation it seems like bringing the cat is just asking for unhappiness. I'd say leave the cat at home. Either cut your trip short or hire a pet-sitter to check on the cat every day or two.
posted by 6550 at 9:45 AM on December 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
Re-read your second and third paragraphs. Given that situation it seems like bringing the cat is just asking for unhappiness. I'd say leave the cat at home. Either cut your trip short or hire a pet-sitter to check on the cat every day or two.
posted by 6550 at 9:45 AM on December 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
can you convince sister to start her meds now? In my experience, taking them before you are exposed makes a big difference in how well they manage your reaction.
posted by agentwills at 9:46 AM on December 15, 2008
posted by agentwills at 9:46 AM on December 15, 2008
hmm. i still think it seems kinda unfair to put it on your family to deal with. you probably should have considered this when you decided to adopt a cat. (like, either making sure you had a different way to take care of her, or going home for less than 10 days, or whatever.) i'd be extremely pissed if my sister pulled this on me, knowing I am allergic. and I don't even have asthma. would you really like to be responsible for your sis spending christmas in the ED? (ER)? that seems quite irresponsible. i don't like kennels either, and i think asking a friend to take care of your animals can be a bit imposing. i know where i live there are plenty of 'dog walker' services where they come to your place and take care of your animals while you are gone. this may be a good solution. i know you are dead set on bringing Danderball home, but for the sake of everyone else you really might want to reconsider.
If you do decide to bring her home, the first thing I would recommend would be for you NOT to keep your clothes in the room with the cat. this basically defeats the purpose of keeping it in another room. maybe put your clothes in the bathroom closet. then, sleep with the cat if you must, but in the morning change out of whatever you slept in, put on a robe, and go take your shower and put on your clothes in the bathroom. i know it seems like a pain but . . . well, its your responsibility to be the one going out of your way.
it sounds like you are going to do this either way but . . . i still have to reiterate how unfair i think it is. if i was your sister, i would be mad. in fact, i probably wouldn't even want to stay there at all. even if she doesn't have a full-blown asthma attack, even having moderate allergy symptoms for TEN days is enough to make anyone miserable. and not just her, but if the rest of your family is allergic . . . also, what if all these extreme measures you take just don't work, and everyone is hacking up a lung by the second day? then what?
posted by lblair at 9:47 AM on December 15, 2008 [7 favorites]
If you do decide to bring her home, the first thing I would recommend would be for you NOT to keep your clothes in the room with the cat. this basically defeats the purpose of keeping it in another room. maybe put your clothes in the bathroom closet. then, sleep with the cat if you must, but in the morning change out of whatever you slept in, put on a robe, and go take your shower and put on your clothes in the bathroom. i know it seems like a pain but . . . well, its your responsibility to be the one going out of your way.
it sounds like you are going to do this either way but . . . i still have to reiterate how unfair i think it is. if i was your sister, i would be mad. in fact, i probably wouldn't even want to stay there at all. even if she doesn't have a full-blown asthma attack, even having moderate allergy symptoms for TEN days is enough to make anyone miserable. and not just her, but if the rest of your family is allergic . . . also, what if all these extreme measures you take just don't work, and everyone is hacking up a lung by the second day? then what?
posted by lblair at 9:47 AM on December 15, 2008 [7 favorites]
We had a friend visit from Germany a couple years ago, and realized after the trip was planned that she was very allergic to cats. We have a cat and a small, one-bedroom, carpeted apartment where she was supposed to stay. Whoops. However, she was able to get a prescription for something from her doctor that was more extreme than zyrtec or other over-the-counter drug--I think it was a steriod of some sort, but I don't know the name. The doctor stressed that she could only use it for a limited amount of time (1-2 weeks was okay though). She ended up using a few times when her allergies were really bad. Perhaps this is something your sister could look into? (Since it was prescribed in another country, I'm not sure if it's available where you live.)
posted by Jemstar at 9:50 AM on December 15, 2008
posted by Jemstar at 9:50 AM on December 15, 2008
It is pretty unfair to ask someone to take medicine to accommodate your pet, it stinks that you seem to be out of options though.
posted by BobbyDigital at 10:07 AM on December 15, 2008
posted by BobbyDigital at 10:07 AM on December 15, 2008
Response by poster: gentwills: can you convince sister to start her meds now?
Good suggestion. I'll talk to her tonight about that.
Jemstar: We have a cat and a small, one-bedroom, carpeted apartment where she was supposed to stay.
My parents' house is huge and entirely with hardwood flooring thankfully.
and just to address everyone that thinks I am horrible selfish mean person to doing this to my sister, I know it seems that way, and I agree that this situation is far from best case, but those comments aren't terribly helpful. And believe me I have gotten enough guilt tripping from my mother about this already. When I got her I had intended to leave her for Christmases and have a friend check in on her, but 2 things happened: 1) the friend that would be checking in on her has shown herself to be remarkable unreliable after not feeding her for 5 days and 2) rather than a usual 5 day christmas holiday I am taking a 2week+ one because a friend is getting married. Those two things threw a wrench into my plans.
And for the record, my sister is frankly fine with having the cat there and doesn't really anticipate having any trouble. She has friends with cats, and we even used to have cats for years and years growing up. It is my mother that is the most worried. So as much as it is maybe true that I am a horrible and selfish person and that I am ruining christmas, I would rather not be reminded any more.
posted by gwenlister at 10:07 AM on December 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
Good suggestion. I'll talk to her tonight about that.
Jemstar: We have a cat and a small, one-bedroom, carpeted apartment where she was supposed to stay.
My parents' house is huge and entirely with hardwood flooring thankfully.
and just to address everyone that thinks I am horrible selfish mean person to doing this to my sister, I know it seems that way, and I agree that this situation is far from best case, but those comments aren't terribly helpful. And believe me I have gotten enough guilt tripping from my mother about this already. When I got her I had intended to leave her for Christmases and have a friend check in on her, but 2 things happened: 1) the friend that would be checking in on her has shown herself to be remarkable unreliable after not feeding her for 5 days and 2) rather than a usual 5 day christmas holiday I am taking a 2week+ one because a friend is getting married. Those two things threw a wrench into my plans.
And for the record, my sister is frankly fine with having the cat there and doesn't really anticipate having any trouble. She has friends with cats, and we even used to have cats for years and years growing up. It is my mother that is the most worried. So as much as it is maybe true that I am a horrible and selfish person and that I am ruining christmas, I would rather not be reminded any more.
posted by gwenlister at 10:07 AM on December 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
Post an ad for a cat sitter on new brunswick craigslist and then call some references.
posted by canine epigram at 10:21 AM on December 15, 2008
posted by canine epigram at 10:21 AM on December 15, 2008
I don't think you're a horribly selfish person. However, I think 6550 is right that someone will be miserable if you follow the current plan. Is there any way you can ask your parents/sister to help cover the kenneling cost? This seems like a pretty impossible situation. I take your meaning to be that you personally can't afford a kennel, but maybe I've misunderstood.
If that's not an option, I'd recommend keeping the cat only in the bedroom at all times--not out in the basement (if I'm understanding your description correctly). The cat doesn't need to roam around the basement, and you should try to keep as much distance as possible between the cat('s dander) and the rest of the house/family. The suggestion for separate cat- and non-cat-clothes is good. Wash your hands if you touch the cat.
Full disclosure: My SO has bad cat allergies. He can't breathe if he spends too much time around a cat--sometimes all it takes to get him wheezing is standing in the hall outside a cat-owner's apartment. Given that perspective, although I realize that your sister's allergy may be different, I'd urge you to view this as a health issue for your sister and other allergic family members--whether or not your sister cares about your bringing the cat.
posted by Meg_Murry at 10:31 AM on December 15, 2008
If that's not an option, I'd recommend keeping the cat only in the bedroom at all times--not out in the basement (if I'm understanding your description correctly). The cat doesn't need to roam around the basement, and you should try to keep as much distance as possible between the cat('s dander) and the rest of the house/family. The suggestion for separate cat- and non-cat-clothes is good. Wash your hands if you touch the cat.
Full disclosure: My SO has bad cat allergies. He can't breathe if he spends too much time around a cat--sometimes all it takes to get him wheezing is standing in the hall outside a cat-owner's apartment. Given that perspective, although I realize that your sister's allergy may be different, I'd urge you to view this as a health issue for your sister and other allergic family members--whether or not your sister cares about your bringing the cat.
posted by Meg_Murry at 10:31 AM on December 15, 2008
Best answer: My plan of attack would be:
1) Have your sister start meds 2-5 days before you're all going to be home. (I don't know that *more* than that is worthwhile: you basically want to have a store in your system, but tons more time won't help hugely.
Your sister should also be sure to have an up-to-date asthma inhaler, etc. on her, whatever she's got a prescription for. (If she needs a refill just for this trip, it might be nice for you to chip in on the cost.)
2) Check out your local pet store - along with the cat dander shampoos already mentioned, there are some dander removing wipes (remove from sealed envelope, run over cat, discard - reduces dander, does not require cat to be immersed in water.) Friends who have used them have had good luck with them.
3) Get some HEPA-rated filters that will fit over any vents in your room, and tape them (or otherwise hold them on) somehow. You don't need perfect seals: you're just trying to catch as much dander before it gets into the general air circulation system as possible.
4) A HEPA filter in either your room or your sister's room would be a good move. (Your room, so you reduce the general dander in the environment, her room so that her sleeping space is as dander free as possible.)
If that's not manageable, consider wiping down the floor and any hard surfaces (shelves, etc.) with a damp cloth/Swiffer/etc. to remove some dander every night. If you don't normally shower in the morning, you might want to shift your schedule, so that you're clean and dander free during the day, and then snuggle with your cat at night.
5) Wash all of your clothes right before you leave (in the hottest water possible, which also helps kill allergens), pack them into dander-free containers (plastic bags would do), and (as suggested) leave them outside your room. The reason for washing them right before you leave is that obviously, stuff in your home also has dander on it.
6) Be very vigilant about washing your hands, and about avoiding touching stuff that will hold dander if you've been near the cat. (Your hair, fleece blankets/jackets/etc.) while you're out and about and near your sister. This actually probably won't make a huge difference for *her* (if she's able to tolerate visiting friends with cats), but will make it clear you're being cautious and appropriately vigilant, which might appease the rest of the family.
All of these - except for the taking allergy meds, which your sister is apparently quite willing to do - put the burden on you, but shouldn't be unreasonable. If your mother throws fits, you might get both you *and* your sister to point out that she's 31, and perfectly capable of dealing with the consequences if she picks up and snuggles a cat. It's not like she's 8. (Plus, if the cat is in your room all the time, the temptation won't be there.)
I agree with everyone else that it's a challenging situation - but honestly, I don't think it's unreasonable. Having someone check on pets is probably ideal (as the stress of transport/new space/etc. can be hard on them) but it's also not always realistic.
Longterm, it'd probably be worth building a relationship with someone (different friend, someone else with cats and a different travel schedule, etc) for other visits. (I swap cat-sitting with my landlady, who lives across the driveway from me, so it's very easy, but also cat-sit for other friends in my near neighborhood, so it's less of a burden to visit.)
posted by modernhypatia at 10:38 AM on December 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
1) Have your sister start meds 2-5 days before you're all going to be home. (I don't know that *more* than that is worthwhile: you basically want to have a store in your system, but tons more time won't help hugely.
Your sister should also be sure to have an up-to-date asthma inhaler, etc. on her, whatever she's got a prescription for. (If she needs a refill just for this trip, it might be nice for you to chip in on the cost.)
2) Check out your local pet store - along with the cat dander shampoos already mentioned, there are some dander removing wipes (remove from sealed envelope, run over cat, discard - reduces dander, does not require cat to be immersed in water.) Friends who have used them have had good luck with them.
3) Get some HEPA-rated filters that will fit over any vents in your room, and tape them (or otherwise hold them on) somehow. You don't need perfect seals: you're just trying to catch as much dander before it gets into the general air circulation system as possible.
4) A HEPA filter in either your room or your sister's room would be a good move. (Your room, so you reduce the general dander in the environment, her room so that her sleeping space is as dander free as possible.)
If that's not manageable, consider wiping down the floor and any hard surfaces (shelves, etc.) with a damp cloth/Swiffer/etc. to remove some dander every night. If you don't normally shower in the morning, you might want to shift your schedule, so that you're clean and dander free during the day, and then snuggle with your cat at night.
5) Wash all of your clothes right before you leave (in the hottest water possible, which also helps kill allergens), pack them into dander-free containers (plastic bags would do), and (as suggested) leave them outside your room. The reason for washing them right before you leave is that obviously, stuff in your home also has dander on it.
6) Be very vigilant about washing your hands, and about avoiding touching stuff that will hold dander if you've been near the cat. (Your hair, fleece blankets/jackets/etc.) while you're out and about and near your sister. This actually probably won't make a huge difference for *her* (if she's able to tolerate visiting friends with cats), but will make it clear you're being cautious and appropriately vigilant, which might appease the rest of the family.
All of these - except for the taking allergy meds, which your sister is apparently quite willing to do - put the burden on you, but shouldn't be unreasonable. If your mother throws fits, you might get both you *and* your sister to point out that she's 31, and perfectly capable of dealing with the consequences if she picks up and snuggles a cat. It's not like she's 8. (Plus, if the cat is in your room all the time, the temptation won't be there.)
I agree with everyone else that it's a challenging situation - but honestly, I don't think it's unreasonable. Having someone check on pets is probably ideal (as the stress of transport/new space/etc. can be hard on them) but it's also not always realistic.
Longterm, it'd probably be worth building a relationship with someone (different friend, someone else with cats and a different travel schedule, etc) for other visits. (I swap cat-sitting with my landlady, who lives across the driveway from me, so it's very easy, but also cat-sit for other friends in my near neighborhood, so it's less of a burden to visit.)
posted by modernhypatia at 10:38 AM on December 15, 2008 [1 favorite]
Seconding to keep your clothes in another room, bathe kitty, and wash your hands a lot. And use a sticky roller upon leaving your room for the clothes on your person.
posted by desuetude at 11:17 AM on December 15, 2008
posted by desuetude at 11:17 AM on December 15, 2008
Best answer: I think there are lots of great suggestions here. I would like to second the allergen bath wipes. My cat would never tolerate a bath and she barely tolerates the wipes, but it does make a huge difference. I would also make sure to brush her as thoroughly as possible before you arrive. Get one of those wire brushes or combs that really gets at the under-layer of soft, fuzzy fur. That will make a big difference too.
For the future, you may want to consider a professional cat sitter. I carted my cat all over creation before she made it clear that she did NOT like travel. She hated the kennel, too. My solution was to find a recommended cat sitter to take care of her while I was gone. A cat sitter can charge anywhere from 5-20 dollars a day, but it's worth it. If that's too much, you can ask them to come every other day. They usually visit the cat and spend at least 30 minutes with him or her. Mine always took diligent notes on what her and my cat did, what the cat's mood was like and general state of the apartment. You can count on the cat sitter to be reliable, too. My cat was always in extremely good spirits when I got home. Well worth it.
Also, I LOVE the name Rhubarb. LOVE.
posted by bristolcat at 11:27 AM on December 15, 2008
For the future, you may want to consider a professional cat sitter. I carted my cat all over creation before she made it clear that she did NOT like travel. She hated the kennel, too. My solution was to find a recommended cat sitter to take care of her while I was gone. A cat sitter can charge anywhere from 5-20 dollars a day, but it's worth it. If that's too much, you can ask them to come every other day. They usually visit the cat and spend at least 30 minutes with him or her. Mine always took diligent notes on what her and my cat did, what the cat's mood was like and general state of the apartment. You can count on the cat sitter to be reliable, too. My cat was always in extremely good spirits when I got home. Well worth it.
Also, I LOVE the name Rhubarb. LOVE.
posted by bristolcat at 11:27 AM on December 15, 2008
You are not a horrible person but allergy meds or not I would not be able to survive in a house that long with a cat. I can literally walk into a house with a cat and start wheezing. Wheezing, sneezing, eyes watering, the whole nine yards. Please have a Plan B on arrangements because while your sister may think she'll be fine, it would suck for her to suffer the whole time.
posted by CwgrlUp at 3:51 PM on December 15, 2008
posted by CwgrlUp at 3:51 PM on December 15, 2008
Wiping the cat with damp paper towels will also help remove dander from her fur. You could do this for a few days before you go, and every day during the trip. Change your clothes & wash your hands afterwards, before touching anything else in the house, and keep the discarded paper towels in their own trashbag.
Agree that you should wash your clothes before leaving and store them outside of your catroom.
Also try to use silky, smooth clothing rather than fluffy- especially for stuff that's going both in & out of the cat room. I'm writing this while picturing a fluffy bathrobe versus a silky one, and the difference in how much cat fluff they accumulate- a silk or polyester smooth robe will hold much less dander, and therefore be a better choice than a fluffy terry or fleece robe. Ditto the flannel pyjamas.
When you & the cat are there, play with her in a way that will minimize how much dander & fur you stir up. This is a week for smooth, gentle stroking, not deep, fur-sheddy scratching and rubbing.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 5:30 PM on December 15, 2008
Agree that you should wash your clothes before leaving and store them outside of your catroom.
Also try to use silky, smooth clothing rather than fluffy- especially for stuff that's going both in & out of the cat room. I'm writing this while picturing a fluffy bathrobe versus a silky one, and the difference in how much cat fluff they accumulate- a silk or polyester smooth robe will hold much less dander, and therefore be a better choice than a fluffy terry or fleece robe. Ditto the flannel pyjamas.
When you & the cat are there, play with her in a way that will minimize how much dander & fur you stir up. This is a week for smooth, gentle stroking, not deep, fur-sheddy scratching and rubbing.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 5:30 PM on December 15, 2008
As a back-up plan, might there be someone where your mom is who'd be willing to care for the cat if things go to hell with your sister? Your friend proved unreliable, but perhaps there's someone who would take your kitty in for the days that you're visiting. Weird, I know, but if you have no other choice, it might work?
posted by jacquilynne at 6:20 PM on December 15, 2008
posted by jacquilynne at 6:20 PM on December 15, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by thirteenkiller at 8:30 AM on December 15, 2008