[zdp7]

Less than 0.5% of people are at risk of anaphylaxis from cat allergies. Since you brought up peanut allergies, it's relevant to point out that we haven't banned peanuts. It sucks that you and others suffer, but getting rid of cats doesn't make sense when you can ask if there are cats around, much like people with peanut allergies ask about the presence of peanuts.

[timschmidt]

So that's 1 in 200 at mortal risk. Roughly 1,744,000 people in the US.

1 in 5 to 10 in discomfort. Roughly 69,760,000 people in the US.

Good to know. Given Dunbar's number it's likely that most people in the US know someone with a severe cat allergy.

[zdp7]

Cat owners have significantly lower cardiovascular deaths. Children growing up with a cat have an almost 50% lower development of asthma and allergies. They reduce stress and depression.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3317329/

[timschmidt]

I think you'll find that's as true for animals who don't shed proteins evolved to elicit severe allergic reactions as it is for those that do.

Your reference begins with: "The presence of pets has been associated with reduction of stress and blood pressure and therefore may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases."