A new pet can arrive with all the excitement of bringing home a family member. But sometimes, the first few days reveal something you could not have anticipated- your body does not quite agree with the new addition.

Actor and singer Shruti Haasan recently opened up about having to rehome her Persian kitten, Aslan, after developing a severe allergy. The decision was reportedly an emotional one, particularly after she had initially welcomed the rescued kitten into her home.

So….

I put up a story  recently saying I needed some quiet time to make a tough decision and that I would proceed to explain what I meant when I could process it better .

I’m not feeling better about it but I thought I’ll explain what’s going on because sooner or later people are going to notice something that has truly broken my heart .

This is a long explanation but please be patient .

Three months ago I had the privilege of adopting a beautiful little Persian kitten called Aslan. I’ve been a cat person my whole adult life and I believe giving an animal a home is one of the greatest feelings you’ll ever feel knowing that hopefully their lives will be filled with love and comfort . Aslan came home adorable playful and truly one of the sweetest little kitties I’ve ever met . I was so happy to introduce him to all of you . There was a little friction  getting him and Clara to get along but that too subsided over time .

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Two days after Aslan came home I broke out into a rash all over my face , straight up boils . I thought it’s because I over ate Mangoes and my skin was reacting .

I spoke to my dermatologist and we tried to figure out what was going on . It was the most disappointing pit in my stomach kind of dread when I realised it could be Aslan and his spit and fur that’s causing the reaction .

I tried trimming his hair , air purifiers, wiping him  down and changing his food . Nothing worked .

And no allergy medication was working to subside my boils either .

Finally I was on some really strong medication to reduce the allergy .

I genuinely thought over time we could figure this out together, me and Aslan . This also meant I couldn’t have him on my clothes and had to wash my hands every time I pet him . I would travel come back home and break out into those allergy boils every single time .

It started affecting my work and my skin and most of all my state of mind . Trying to manage my allergy and love him in the way he deserves with cuddles and affection  .

After trying incessantly I realised when I returned from Chennai to Mumbai and broke out into allergies all over again and this time even worse that I had to make one of the hardest decisions of my life .

I had to call aslans foster mum who had him before me and put him Back up for adoption 💔

Aslan no longer lives with me and and his foster mum and I along with the support  of my friends are working to re home him in a beautiful warm loving home through all the people we know that truly love and care for kitties .

It’s been so heartbreaking I cannot even begin to describe the guilt and the pain I’m feeling not even being able to explain to an innocent soul who loves me and my home why he has to leave . Saying goodbye to him was painful in a way I cannot even begin to describe .

Let this not be a story about failed adoption , I feel I failed with my allergies but providing a home to a beautiful little animal is one of the greatest things you can do.

Please send Aslan all your love .

And for those who thought I was unwell or something else this is what it  was . The fear of explaining  to you’ll what happened and the guilt I felt really had me caught in the tightest bind ever . There might be some of you who think why all this melodrama for a kitten , that only means you’ve never shared the true love of an animal who depends on you and loves you . For those of you who love your furry friends you know what this means . Saying goodbye to people is not even slightly close to what it means to say goodbye to an animal who cannot converse with you .

Thankyou for you love always and your patience on this long explanation

– Shruti haasan

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Her experience raises a practical question for anyone considering adopting a cat or dog- should you check for pet allergies before bringing an animal home?

The answer, according to doctors, is yes, particularly if you have never lived closely with a pet before or already have a history of allergies or asthma.

Pet allergy isn’t really about fur

The phrase “pet allergy” can make it sound as though the fur itself is the problem. Usually, it isn’t. “Pet allergy is not simply an allergy to fur,” explains Dr Jyotirmay S Hegde, HOD & Lead Consultant ENT, Aster Whitefield Hospital. The reaction is generally triggered by proteins present in an animal’s dander, saliva and urine.

These allergens can settle on clothes, furniture and other surfaces, meaning they can remain in the home even when the animal is not physically nearby.

Dr Chirag Tandon, Director, Internal Medicine, ShardaCare-Healthcity, similarly explains that pet allergies are usually triggered by proteins found in dander, saliva and urine rather than fur itself.

That distinction is important when choosing a pet. A person who assumes that a short-haired cat, for instance, will automatically be less likely to cause an allergic reaction may be working with the wrong idea of what actually triggers the allergy.

How do you know if you’re allergic to a cat or dog?

The symptoms can look like those caused by several other common allergens. Repeated sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy or watery eyes and throat irritation can all occur after exposure to an animal. Coughing, wheezing and skin rashes may also develop.

“Symptoms may appear within minutes or take several hours, so it is not always obvious that a pet is the trigger,” Dr Tandon says.

That is one reason doctors caution against diagnosing yourself based on a single episode. Dust mites, pollen and other indoor or outdoor allergens can produce similar symptoms. If you start sneezing after visiting a home with a cat, for instance, it does not automatically mean the cat is responsible.

Dr Hegde recommends seeing an allergy specialist if a pet allergy is suspected. A skin-prick test can be used, while a blood test measuring specific IgE antibodies to cat or dog allergens may also be considered when further confirmation is needed.

Should you spend time with a pet before adopting it?

Yes, but there is an important caveat. Spending time with the particular animal you are considering can help you notice whether symptoms develop. Dr Tandon recommends several extended visits rather than making a decision after one brief interaction.

“Ideally, visit the shelter, foster home or breeder more than once and observe whether symptoms develop,” he says.

There is another reason to do this more than once: allergy levels can vary between individual animals.

“Being comfortable around one dog or cat does not guarantee that you will tolerate another,” Dr Tandon adds.

Dr Hegde similarly recommends spending time with an animal and observing whether a reaction occurs. However, he cautions that this should not be treated as a guarantee that you will remain symptom-free over the long term.

What if you already have asthma or allergies?

This is where a little planning before adoption can save a lot of distress later. People with asthma or a significant history of allergic disease should discuss the prospect of bringing a pet home with an allergist or doctor beforehand, particularly if they have experienced breathing difficulties or severe allergic reactions.

Dr Hegde says people with a family history of allergic disease or an existing allergic condition such as asthma should be especially careful about discussing pet exposure with an allergist.

Dr Tandon also advises people with asthma or significant breathing symptoms to seek medical advice before adopting.

The point is not to assume that having asthma automatically means you cannot have a pet. It is to understand your individual risk before making a commitment that involves both you and an animal.

Are some cats and dogs actually hypoallergenic?

This is one of the more persistent myths around pet ownership. You may have come across breeds marketed as “hypoallergenic”, often because they shed less or are perceived to produce fewer allergens.

But neither cats nor dogs can be considered completely hypoallergenic.

“Do not rely on claims that a particular breed is completely ‘hypoallergenic’—no cat or dog is entirely allergen-free,” Dr Tandon says.

Dr Hegde makes a similar point, warning that choosing a breed based on claims of hypoallergenicity can create a false sense of security.

Less shedding does not necessarily mean no allergic reaction. The proteins responsible for pet allergies can be found in saliva and other sources, not only in fur.

What can you do if you develop an allergy after adopting?

The first step is to establish what is actually causing the reaction. If testing confirms a pet allergy, reducing exposure may help some people manage symptoms. Dr Hegde suggests limiting the animal’s access to the bedroom, reducing upholstered surfaces and maintaining regular cleaning.

Dr Tandon recommends keeping the pet out of the bedroom, washing hands after handling the animal and cleaning bedding and soft furnishings regularly. HEPA air purifiers and vacuum cleaners can also help reduce allergen exposure.

Grooming and bathing routines may reduce allergen levels too, although they cannot eliminate them completely.

For people with more serious symptoms, medical treatment may be necessary. Dr Hegde says an allergist may also consider allergen immunotherapy in appropriate cases.

The approach, therefore, depends on the severity of the allergy and the individual. Simply buying an air purifier and hoping for the best may not be enough for someone experiencing significant breathing symptoms.

Should you get tested before adopting a pet?

There is no need for every prospective pet owner to undergo an allergy panel simply because they are considering adopting an animal. But if you have never lived closely with a cat or dog, have a history of allergies or asthma, or have previously experienced symptoms around animals, it is worth discussing the issue with a doctor or allergist before bringing one home.

And if you are considering adoption, don’t make the decision based only on how you feel during the first ten minutes of meeting a particularly adorable kitten or puppy. As Dr Hegde puts it, “the main point here is to get tested for allergies before adopting any animal.”

That may sound like an unnecessary step when you are excited about giving a pet a home. But an honest assessment of your health can also protect the animal from being returned or rehomed later because its new owner cannot tolerate living with it.

Shruti Haasan’s experience is a reminder of that difficult possibility. Pet adoption is an emotional decision, but it is also a long-term commitment. Knowing what your body can handle before making that commitment can make the transition easier for both sides.