Okay, so, I’ve been thinking about getting a Maine Coon for a while now. They’re just so majestic, right? But here’s the thing – I’ve got allergies. Not super severe, but enough to make me a little hesitant about bringing a big, fluffy cat into my life. So, I decided to do a little experiment.
First things first, I visited a friend who owns a Maine Coon. I wanted to see how I’d react being around one. I spent a good few hours at her place, playing with her cat, letting it sit on my lap – the whole nine yards. I even buried my face in its fur a few times, which, in hindsight, might have been a bit much.
Initially, I felt fine. No sneezing, no watery eyes, nothing. I was starting to feel pretty confident. But then, about an hour after I left, it hit me. My eyes started itching like crazy, and I had a minor sneezing fit. It wasn’t unbearable, but it definitely wasn’t pleasant either.
- Itchy eyes
- Runny nose
- Occasional sneezing
Next step, I scheduled a visit with a local Maine Coon breeder. I figured this would be a more intense test, being surrounded by multiple cats. I explained my allergy situation to the breeder, and she was super understanding. She let me hang out in the cattery for about an hour.
This time, the reaction was a bit quicker. Within about 30 minutes, I could feel my nose starting to run, and the occasional sneeze started creeping in. I stayed for the full hour, trying to gauge the severity. It was definitely worse than my friend’s place, but still manageable.
After these two experiences, I decided to consult with my doctor. I wanted to get a professional opinion on whether I could realistically live with a Maine Coon. She suggested I try taking some over-the-counter allergy medication before my next interaction with a Maine Coon, just to see if that would help.
So, I went back to my friend’s place, armed with some allergy pills. I took the medication about an hour before I arrived. And guess what? It made a huge difference! I was able to spend another afternoon with her cat, with minimal allergy symptoms. I still had a slightly runny nose, but it was barely noticeable. After that, I called the breeder to make an appointment, got the same medicine, tested again and got the same results.
Conclusion
My little experiment taught me that while I do have a reaction to Maine Coons, it’s not severe enough to prevent me from owning one. With the help of some allergy medication, I think I can comfortably live with one of these beautiful cats. Of course, everyone’s allergies are different, so what worked for me might not work for everyone. But if you’re like me, a Maine Coon lover with mild allergies, don’t give up hope just yet! Do your own experimenting, and you might just find that you can make it work.
If you ask me, I decided to take a Maine Coon home. I named it Simba, and it’s the best decision I ever made. So go ahead, fellow cat fans! Don’t be afraid! It might be the best choice in your life too!
