Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Shruti Haasan rehomes cat after severe allergy, doctors warn
Shruti Haasan is an actor and singer who has loved cats her whole adult life.
She adopted a sweet Persian kitten named Aslan and was very happy.
Two days later, she broke out in a rash and boils all over her face.
She tried trimming his hair, using air purifiers and taking medicine, but nothing helped.
Her allergy got worse every time she came back home from travelling.
Feeling heartbroken, she gave Aslan back to his foster mum so he could be rehomed.
Doctors say pet allergies are usually caused by proteins in an animal's dander, saliva and urine, not its fur.
No cat or dog is completely hypoallergenic.
So doctors advise people to spend time with a pet and check for allergies before adopting, especially if they have asthma or allergies.
Actor-singer Shruti Haasan rehomed her Persian kitten Aslan after developing a severe allergy that caused rash and boils on her face.
The allergy began two days after Aslan arrived and persisted despite trimming his hair, air purifiers, wiping him down, changing his food and allergy medication.
Haasan said her condition worsened on returning from Chennai to Mumbai and started affecting her work, her skin and her state of mind, forcing her to put Aslan back up for adoption.
Doctors say pet allergies are triggered by proteins in animal dander, saliva and urine — not fur itself — and no cat or dog is completely hypoallergenic.
Medical experts advise prospective pet owners, especially those with asthma or a history of allergies, to get tested and spend time with the animal before adopting.
- Who
- Actor and singer Shruti Haasan, with allergy advice from Dr Jyotirmay S Hegde and Dr Chirag Tandon.
- What
- Haasan rehomed her Persian kitten Aslan after developing a severe allergy that caused facial boils and rashes.
- When
- Aslan was adopted three months before being rehomed; the allergy began two days after he came home.
- Where
- India — Haasan's allergy flared up as she travelled between Chennai and Mumbai.
- Why
- Her severe allergy did not respond to trimming, air purifiers, diet changes or medication, and began affecting her work, skin and state of mind.
Pet Lovers
Skeptics
Emotional response to rehoming
Pet Lovers
Shruti Haasan says saying goodbye to an animal that cannot communicate is deeply painful, that those calling it melodrama have never shared the love of a dependent animal, and that she feels guilt even though this was not a failed adoption.
Skeptics
Some readers questioned why there was 'all this melodrama for a kitten,' suggesting the emotional response to rehoming the pet may have been excessive.
- Celebrity
- Shruti Haasan, actor and singer
- Pet
- Aslan, a Persian kitten
- Timeline
- Allergy began two days after adoption; Aslan was adopted three months before being rehomed
- Symptoms
- Rash and boils on the face, worsening after travel
- Unsuccessful measures
- Trimming hair, air purifiers, wiping the cat, changing food, allergy medication
- Allergy cause
- Proteins in animal dander, saliva and urine
- Hypoallergenic claim
- No cat or dog is entirely allergen-free, say doctors
- Medical experts
- Dr Jyotirmay S Hegde (Aster Whitefield Hospital) and Dr Chirag Tandon (ShardaCare-Healthcity)