By Staff Writer: Kayla Reichenbach
When I rescued a tiny kitten we named Oats, I knew we were taking a risk. My fiancé, Keith, is highly allergic to cats. But this fuzzy little stray had already stolen our hearts, so I started researching every option.
That’s when I came across Purina’s Pro Plan LiveClear. It’s a cat food designed to reduce the allergen Fel d 1—found in cat saliva, skin and urine—by nearly 50 percent after four weeks of feeding. The science behind it is fascinating: chickens exposed to cats develop antibodies that can neutralize Fel d 1, and those antibodies are passed into their eggs. Purina incorporates those proteins into the food.
Some people online have tried adding egg white powder to food as a DIY fix, but experts warn it may not work unless the eggs come from chickens regularly around cats. We decided to try the real deal.
It’s too early to say for sure if it’s working, but after just one day, my fiancé’s reaction wasn’t nearly as bad as it’s been in the past. That could be because kittens produce less Fel d 1, and Oats is still young. Neutered male cats are also said to release fewer allergens, so we’re hopeful.
Even if his allergies flare back up, one thing’s for sure—Oats, our brave little rescue, is staying. This journey opened my eyes to how far science has come in helping people like us live with the pets we love.