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Research Produces Allergen-Reducing Cat Food

By Amanda Ensinger

For those that are cat lovers, sometimes adopting a feline isn’t possible because of severe cat allergies. In the United States, as many as three in 10 people with allergies have allergic reactions to cats and dogs, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. This same study found that cat allergies are about twice as common as dog allergies.

With this in mind, Purina has developed a new product aimed at helping those who suffer from cat allergies. The new Pro Plan LiveClear reduces the major allergen in cat hair and dander, dramatically helping those with cat allergies.

“Based on more than a decade of research, Pro Plan LiveClear is a revolutionary cat food [that] reduces active Fel d 1 in the cat’s saliva, [meaning] it reduces the allergen that is transferred to the cat’s hair and dander when they groom, ultimately reducing the allergen in the environment,” said Dr. Kurt Venator, DVM, Ph.D., chief veterinary officer at Purina. “When fed daily, LiveClear significantly reduces the allergens in cat hair and dander in as little as three weeks.”

According to Dr. Venator, on average by the third week of daily feeding of the pet food, the major allergen in cat hair and dander is reduced by 47 percent.

The key ingredient in Pro Plan LiveClear is a specific protein sourced from eggs. When cats eat the food, the ingredient binds to Fel d 1 and safely neutralizes in the cat’s mouth.

“Many people think that cat hair is the allergen, but it’s actually what’s on it – the major cat allergen called Fel d 1, a protein that cats produce naturally in their saliva,” Dr. Venator said. “It’s produced by all cats, regardless of breed, age, hair length, sex or body weight. When cats groom, Fel d 1 gets on the hair and skin through the saliva, and ultimately into the environment. That’s why Purina Pro Plan LiveClear is such an ingenious way to deal with cat allergens. It’s the first and only cat food that reduces the major allergen in cat hair and dander.”

Currently, there are not many options for those who would like a cat, but have allergies, or those who have a cat and have developed allergies.

“Outside of things like cleaning and air filters, current methods can often negatively impact the cat – such as limiting time or activities with the cat, isolating them in the home or even removing the cat from the home altogether,” Dr. Venator added. “With Pro Plan LiveClear, instead of trying to manage the allergen once it’s already in the environment, the allergen is neutralized at its source in the cat’s mouth. It’s an innovative way to approach this problem, and one that can help cats and cat owners alike.”

However, Dr. Venator added that feeding Pro Plan LiveClear is not intended to replace other allergen-reduction strategies but, rather, to add another measure that can help reduce the allergen burden in cat households.