Three in four owners say their relationship with their cat is important to and a core part of their health and well-being.

According to a survey from Purina Pro Plan and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), 84% of allergy-suffering cat owners would ignore an allergist’s advice to give up their cat. I fall solidly into that group, having been questioned multiple times why I live with six cats when I’m allergic. My only answer, you must not have a pet you love. (I don’t quite fall into the 20% who said they’d keep their cat and get rid of the doctor!)

The survey not only confirms the bond that owners share with their cats — 90% of cat owners see their cats as members of the family — but also shows the strength of the pull cats have for self-professed cat people. Three in four owners say the relationship with their cat is important to and a core part of their health and well-being.

That latter stat reinforces my belief that anyone who says they love cats, but doesn’t have one because they’re allergic, isn’t really a cat person. I’d do anything to ensure that cats are a daily part of my life, even if that means weekly visits to the doctor’s office for shots.

While I’m not alone in making changes in order to keep my cats — 37% of survey respondents said they’ve had to change their lifestyle to accommodate their cat — I haven’t had to go as far as some. Then again, I prefer itchy, watery eyes over not having a cat tucked under my chin while I sleep.

A significant number of those surveyed (18%) said they have relinquished a cat at some point in the past, with allergies cited as the top reason (32%). Seventeen percent have restricted the cat to/from specific places in the home (17%). Others made the bedroom a cat-free zone (12%) or reduced the time they spend with the cat (10%).

Why Does Purina Care About Cat Allergies?

Purina partnered with HABRI on the survey as part of a campaign to introduce a product specifically for cats living with cat-allergy sufferers. Pro Plan LiveClear is the first cat food that reduces allergens in cat hair and dander. It takes as little as three weeks to work, Purina says.

Here’s the science behind it: The key ingredient is a protein sourced from eggs. When cats eat the food, the protein binds to the cat allergen, Fel d 1, and neutralizes it in the cat’s mouth. By reducing Fel d 1 in the saliva, it reduces the allergen that is transferred to the cat’s hair and dander during grooming.

Do you have a cat and suffer from cat allergies? What do you do to minimize the allergy’s effect on your life? Would you consider trying Pro Plan LiveClear?