M30 here. To give a little background I am divorced with a 2 year old just starting back in the dating world. So I am severely allergic to cats. I’ve tried allergy pills, nasal spray, and even immunotherapy. Which help but I still have bad reactions. One reason I bonded with my ex is because she couldn’t have pets in the house either. It was great but now being back in the dating world, I’m finding that this quality is quite rare.

I theoretically understand that your fur babies are your kids, you love them and you should. I say theoretically because I’ve never had a pet due to allergies. Having a child of my own there is no way I would give up my daughter, I get that. So when I meet a lovely woman and she mentions how she loves her cats, I immediately shut down. I can’t ask her to give up her pets. I do tell her that I am allergic to pets and it shuts down.

It’s frustrating, its not like I asked for this condition. I’ve tried making it work but when your airway is closing when you sleep at night… I just can’t. I want to eventually be able to live with said person but a cat would get in the way of this.. Of course breaking it off because of their pets feels ridiculous.

Anyway, my question to all of you is am I assuming correctly that you pet lovers would not give up your pet for, lets say “A great potential match”? Is there anyone out there who has a similar situation or feels the way I do? I’ve read a bunch about those whose made it work for their SO, which is awesome, but I just don’t have that option. Anyways, thanks for letting me vent.

TLDR

Who of you out there is too allergic to pets to even try to make a relationship work? Especially trying to live together? Would you, the pet lover, give up your pet?