Neutralizing Fel d 1, the Major Cat Allergen

Introduction

Allergies to cats affect approximately 1 in 5 adults worldwide. It can prevent cat ownership, affect someone’s relationship to cats, and lead to the rehoming or abandonment of cats. That is why Purina scientists have dedicated more than 10 years to researching how to manage cat allergens and improve the lives of cat lovers and their feline companions.

Cat Hair Is Not the Cause of Allergies to Cats

Contrary to popular belief, cat hair is not the cause of allergic reactions. Up to 95% of human allergic reactions to cats, are linked to Fel d 1. This allergen is produced in the salivary, skin and anal glands of cats; and is spread throughout the hair and skin during the grooming.

Discover Fact vs Fiction concerning allergies to cats.

Purina’s Research

Purina scientists discovered that an egg product containing IgY antibodies to Fel d 1 can bind to Fel d 1 in a cat’s saliva. This binding prevents the allergen from triggering an allergic response in individuals who are sensitive to cat allergens.

When cats were fed a diet with the egg product ingredient containing anti-Fel d 1 IgY:

Fel d 1 in the saliva was reduced within 3 weeks
97% of the cats had a decrease in active Fel d 1 levels, with an average reduction of 47% starting in Week 3
One-half of the cats had at least a 50% reduction in active Fel d 1 levels on their hair, and 86% of cats had a reduction of at least 30% from baseline levels

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The Human Impact

In a crossover study, cat allergen-sensitized human participants were exposed to hair and dander from cats fed either a control diet or a test diet with added egg product ingredient containing anti-Fel d 1 IgY.

The results showed that when these participants were exposed to the hair and dander from cats fed the test diet, they experienced significantly lower total nasal symptom scores and reductions in some ocular symptoms compared to their reactions when exposed to cats on the control diet.

This means that with the egg product ingredient containing anti-Fel d 1 IgY, allergic cat owners could spend more quality time with their feline companions. Moreover, it also offers healthcare providers an opportunity to approach conversations with cat-allergic patients differently, focusing on proactive measures without the emotional burden of suggesting that they remove their cats from their homes.

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