New Survey Shows Cat Owners with Cat Allergen Sensitivities Go to Extraordinary Lengths to Manage Cat Allergens

The Pet Effect

Did you know pets can improve your cardiovascular health?

Learn more about The Pet Effect here.

St. Louis (May 14, 2020) — For the as many as 1 in 5 adults globally who are affected by cat allergen sensitivities, the daily effort to manage cat allergens and coexist with the cats they love can be a struggle. From excessive cleaning around the house to spending less time with the cat, there are no easy choices. Despite these daily struggles, cat owners are willing to do whatever it takes to keep their cats, going as far as ignoring doctor’s orders. If told by their doctor to give up their cat to help manage cat allergens, 84 percent of cat owners would dismiss the advice. Twenty percent even said they would keep the cat and get a new doctor, showing the need for better management methods. These statistics are from a new survey[1] of 2,000 U.S. cat owners from Purina Pro Plan, a leader in pet nutrition, in partnership with the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), which sought to understand the impact of cat allergens on cat-owning households.

The survey confirmed that the bond that owners share with their cats is strong – a universal truth for all cat owners regardless of cat allergen sensitivities. Ninety percent of cat owners feel their cats are members of the family, and three in four owners say their relationship with their cat is important to and a core part of their health and well-being. But it’s not always easy for those with cat allergen sensitivities; 37 percent say they’ve had to change their lifestyle to accommodate their cat, significantly higher than those without sensitivities (22 percent).

In an effort to help, Purina Pro Plan has introduced Pro Plan LiveClear, the first and only cat food that reduces the allergens in cat hair and dander. Backed by more than a decade of research, Pro Plan LiveClear is shown to safely and effectively reduce allergens in cat hair and dander in as little as three weeks of daily feeding. The key ingredient is a specific protein sourced from eggs. When cats eat LiveClear, the protein binds to the major cat allergen, Fel d 1, and safely neutralizes it in the cat’s mouth. By reducing active Fel d 1 in the cat’s saliva, it reduces the allergen that is transferred to the cat’s hair and dander when they groom, ultimately reducing the allergen in the environment. [2][3]

“Cat owning households are trying a variety of ways to manage cat allergens – but ultimately 62 percent say their current methods are only somewhat effective or not effective at all,” said Dr. Kurt Venator, DVM, PhD, Chief Veterinary Officer at Purina. “Pro Plan LiveClear offers a revolutionary new approach to managing cat allergens, with the power to help cat owners be closer to the cats they love.”

The Impact of Managing Cat Allergens

Managing cat-allergens isn’t just a challenge for owners – cats feel the effects as well. Eighteen percent of cat owners have relinquished a cat at some point in the past, with cat allergen sensitivities cited as the top reason why (32 percent). Other methods of managing allergens that impact the cat include restricting the cat to/from specific places in the home (17 percent), making the bedroom a cat-free zone (12 percent), reducing the time spent with the cat (10 percent) or moving their cat away from them (9 percent).

Personal relationships may also be impacted. About one-fourth of households with cat allergen sensitivities say their personal relationships have been strained due to cat allergens. In addition:

13 percent have had to choose between their cat and a personal relationship.
12 percent have considered not living with a partner due to someone’s cat allergen sensitivities.
11 percent have had to end a relationship/friendship due to the strain of cat allergen sensitivities.

“Reducing the impact of cat allergens can significantly strengthen the human-animal bond, as well as human relationships,” said Steven Feldman, executive director of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute. “Changing how owners interact with their cats will keep more cat families together.”

Pro Plan LiveClear Available Now

Pro Plan LiveClear is a 100-percent complete and balanced dry cat food with outstanding taste and nutrition designed for daily feeding. It is now available in the U.S. at Chewy, PetSmart, Petco, Pet Supplies Plus and other pet specialty retailers in three formulas – Adult Chicken & Rice, Adult Salmon & Rice, and Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Turkey & Oat Meal.

Additionally, after a rigorous evaluation process, Purina Pro Plan LiveClear recently earned the prestigious Good Housekeeping Seal, a trusted and highly regarded emblem for millions of consumers. The emblem signifies the product has been evaluated and approved for Seal use by the scientists and engineers at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

For more information, visit www.proplanliveclear.com.

Human Animal Bond Research Institute/Purina Pro Plan online survey of 2,062 cat owners age 22 or older, fielded Dec. 2019 by data and analytics consultancy, LRW.

Satyaraj, E., Gardner, C., Filipi, I., Cramer, K., & Sherrill, S. (2019). Reduction of active Fel d1 from cats using an antiFel d1 egg IgY antibody. Immunity, inflammation and disease, 7(2), 68–73. doi:10.1002/iid3.24

Satyaraj, E., Li, Q., Sun, P. & Sherrill, S. (2019). Anti-Fel d 1 immunoglobulin Y antibody-containing egg ingredient lowers allergen levels in cat saliva. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 21(10), 875-881. doi: 10.1177/1098612X19861218

About Purina Pro Plan

Purina Pro Plan is a leader in the advanced nutrition category, with more than 70 formulas in dry and wet pet food to help meet a variety of needs. Its science is backed by 500 Purina scientists globally, including nutritionists, veterinarians and behaviorists, who continuously rethink what nutrition can do. For more information, visit www. proplan.com or follow @ProPlan on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. The brand is manufactured by Nestlé Purina PetCare, which promotes responsible pet care, community involvement, and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., a global leader in nutrition, health, and wellness.

About HABRI

HABRI is a not-for-profit organization that maintains the world’s largest online library of human-animal bond research and information; funds innovative research projects to scientifically document the health benefits of companion animals; and informs the public about human-animal bond research and the beneficial role of companion animals in society. For more information, please visit www.habri.org.

About Good Housekeeping

Celebrating 135 years, Good Housekeeping (GoodHousekeeping.com) is a leading lifestyle media brand inspiring a monthly audience of 30+ million readers. The Good Housekeeping Institute’s state-of-the-art labs combined with Good Housekeeping’s seasoned editorial talent is unparalleled. Staffed by top engineers, scientists and technology experts, the GH Institute tests and evaluates thousands of products each year for the magazine, website and for the Good Housekeeping Seal and the Green Good Housekeeping Seal, which are among the most recognized and trusted consumer icons in the world today. Good Housekeeping, which also has five international editions, is published by Hearst Magazines, a unit of Hearst, a leading global, diversified media, information and services company. Follow Good Housekeeping on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on Pinterest

Contact

Emily Goldkamp

emily.goldkamp@purina.nestle.com

314-982-1698

Janette Artea

jartea@golin.com

469-680-2582

###

Press Releases

MetLife Pet Joins with the Human Animal Bond Research Institute to Champion the Human-Animal Bond

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC (“MetLife Pet”), one of the world’s leading financial services companies, today announced a collaboration to advance their shared goal of strengthening the human-animal bond through research, education and advocacy. “At MetLife Pet Insurance, we are focused on ensuring all pet parents’ have access to veterinary resources so they can confidently care for their pets and that that our four-legged family members receive the care they need,” said Brian Jorgensen, CEO of MetLife Pet Insurance. “We are committed to protecting and supporting the relationship between people and their pets, which is in complete alignment with the mission of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute.” Scientific research demonstrates that having pets in our lives can lead to better physical and mental health for people of all ages. Importantly, the more pet owners learn about scientific research on the benefits of the human-animal bond, the more likely they are to take positive action including better pet care and more regular veterinary visits. MetLife Pet will join with HABRI to fund impactful research that documents the positive benefits of companion animals for human health and advocate for policy solutions that support pet owners and help increase access to veterinary care. “MetLife Pet Insurance not only recognizes the importance of the pets in our lives, they are also working to preserve the bond for countless families around the country,” said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI. “By collaborating with HABRI, MetLife Pet Insurance is taking their support for the human-animal bond to the next level by working together to create a more pet-friendly society.”

Press Releases

New Report on Addressing the Loneliness Crisis through the Power of Pets

Mars Petcare and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), with support from a broad consortium of partners, today released a report that offers a roadmap for advancing research and best practices that address how human-animal interaction can serve as an important solution to the growing epidemic of loneliness and social isolation. “There is increasing evidence that pets can play an important role in helping people feel less lonely and more socially connected,” said Steven Feldman, Executive Director, HABRI. “Together with the leadership of Mars Petcare and a group of other experts and stakeholders, HABRI will work to address the crisis of loneliness in our society with the power of the human-animal bond.” Loneliness currently affects three in five Americans[i] and 9 million people in the United Kingdom.[ii] Loneliness can be as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes per day, making it a serious threat to public health.[iii] Mars Petcare and HABRI surveyed 2,000 people in the United States, finding that 85 percent of respondents believe interaction with companion animals can help reduce loneliness.[iv] “We have a responsibility to take the scientific exploration further when evidence to date shows us that pets can be part of addressing such a significant societal issue,” commented Rena Crumplen, Global Vice President of Research and Development, Mars Petcare. “It’s important that we undertake rigorous studies to understand how companion animals may provide a benefit for those suffering from conditions associated with social isolation and loneliness.” The new report, Addressing the Social Isolation and Loneliness Epidemic with the Power of Companion Animals, brings forward the recommendations from the Summit on Social Isolation and Companion Animals, along with the continued work of a broad consortium of human health advocates, mental health practitioners, veterinarians and human-animal interaction researchers. The report outlines the following three-pronged...

Press Releases

New Study to Investigate Impact of Pet Ownership in Relationships with Intimate Partner Violence

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) announced today a new research grant to The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) School of Public Health to investigate how pet ownership and cruelty to animals impacts the decisions and mental health outcomes of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). “Pet abuse has been identified as a predictor of IPV, but there is a lack of data to fully understand the role of pet ownership in relationships where IPV is occurring,” said Alaina Beauchamp, MPH, Principal Investigator. “Quantifying the link between intimate partner violence and animal cruelty will help identify ways to protect people and pets and lower the barriers to seeking help.” One in 4 women and 1 in 9 men reported IPV in 2019 alone. 41 percent of men arrested for IPV reported committing acts of animal cruelty, compared to a nationally representative sample of adult men who reported a 2 percent incidence of animal cruelty. Up to 48 percent of domestic violence victims remain in abusive situations out of fear for their pet’s safety, and only 15 percent of U.S. domestic violence shelters are pet friendly. This new research study led by Alaina Beauchamp, a doctoral student, and Katelyn Jetelina, PhD, assistant professor at UTHealth School of Public Health, will collect data from women residing in emergency and transitional housing at a domestic violence shelter in the southern United States to examine their experiences of animal cruelty and the barriers it created when seeking help. Data will be used to capture the burden of animal cruelty in this population, assess the role emotional manipulation by an abuser plays in choices made for an IPV survivor and their pet, and evaluate the impact of the human-animal bond on the resiliency and mental health of these IPV survivors. “HABRI is proud to be funding this important research, which will bring data to a critical issue facing survivors of IPV and their pets,” said...