Research first: Keep the cat, change the care pathway for cat allergies

Current clinical guidelines for allergists recommend removal of the cat from the home as the primary means of managing cat allergies. The recommendation is based on the concept of allergen load reduction: in theory, removing the source of the allergen will reduce the allergen load and decrease allergy symptoms. However, there is little scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of this recommendation. This is further complicated by the longevity of Fel d 1, the primary cat allergen; the allergen persists in the environment for months, and possibly years.

The recommendation to remove the cat is almost invariably met with resistance because many cat owners consider their cats to be part of their family; these cat owners may overtly refuse to comply or may attempt to deceive their allergist by telling them that they have removed their cat when, in fact, they have not.

A novel approach neutralizes the major cat allergen and reduces human allergic symptoms with dietary intervention…for the cat. Nestlé Purina Petcare scientists have developed a technique that safely neutralizes Fel d 1, the major cat allergen, through the cat’s diet. Feeding cats a diet coated with an egg product ingredient containing antibodies to Fel d 1 can neutralize the allergen at its source in the saliva. As the cat chews the coated kibble, the anti-Fel d 1 antibodies bind to the active (allergenic) Fel d 1 in the cat’s saliva; once active Fel d 1 is bound by the antibodies, it is neutralized and no longer recognized as an allergen. The neutralized Fel d 1 is then distributed on the cat’s hair as it grooms. Reducing the levels of active Fel d 1 in the cat’s saliva and on its hair and dander, ultimately reducing the allergen load in the environment.

This breakthrough can transform the management of cat allergies and help bring cats and people closer together. It also offers healthcare providers an opportunity to reframe their conversations with cat-allergic patients, supplementing other management measures and allowing a focus on proactive measures without the emotional toll associated with removing the cat from the home.

This innovative approach was presented at the EAACI Congress in Lisbon in June 2019, and studies documenting its efficacy have been published in peer-reviewed journals.

The approach is thoroughly described in a supplement to Allergy.

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