When it comes to pets, most people either consider themselves cat people or dog people. Sure, there are some people who like both types of animals equally, and then there are the people who prefer bunnies, snakes or turtles. 

What’s unfortunate is the group of people who consider themselves cat people but who can’t actually own a cat. We’re not talking about kids whose parents forbid pets in the house. We’re talking about adults who love cat memes and cat videos and desperately wish they could have a cat jumping, climbing, crawling, pouncing and cuddling in their very own home.

For some cat lovers, an allergic reaction to cats causes them to sadly dismiss their dream of owning their very own cat. About 10% of people in the U.S. have an allergic reaction when they’re around cats. They get stuffy noses and rashes. They also start coughing and sneezing.

People who are allergic to cats are actually allergic to a protein that’s found in cat saliva and skin secretions. This protein is called Fed d 1. 

What makes matters worse is that cats tend to lick their fur, like, a lot, and when they do this, Fed d 1 is transported from the saliva in their mouths all over their fur. Then when the cats shed their fur, Fed d 1 is basically everywhere. We mean everywhere. If you’ve ever owned a cat you understand about cat hair. Owning a lint roller or a dozen is essential.

Scientists have hope for cat people who are allergic to Fed d 1. They have developed a vaccine that is given to cats to help neutralize the effect of the allergy-causing protein. So, in theory, when this vaccine is released, someone who is allergic to cats could have his or her cat of choice vaccinated, and they could live together happily ever after.

The vaccine is called HypoCat, and the results from recent tests are very promising. Dr. Gary Jennings, CEO of HypoPet AG, said in a statement,

We are very pleased to publish this data which shows our HypoCat vaccine is able to produce high levels of antibodies in cats and that these antibodies can bind and neutralize the Fel d 1 allergen produced by the animals…We are pressing ahead with registration studies and discussions with European and U.S regulators with the hope of bringing this much-needed product to the market.

Watch the video below for more details about this exciting vaccine.

Are you a cat person or a dog person? Are you allergic to cats?