Infromation from Humane Society of the United States
Being a pet owner is never easy. While pets bring us joy and companionship on a daily basis, they also require training,
veterinary care, time, love, attention, and even tolerance. Tolerance is especially necessary when a pet owner is allergic
to his or her companion animal.
Studies show that approximately 15 percent of the population is allergic to
dogs or cats. An estimated one-third of Americans who are allergic to cats
(about two million people) live with at least one cat in their household anyway.
In a study of 341 adults who were allergic to cats or dogs and had been
advised by their physicians to give up their pets, only one out of five did.
What's more, 122 of them obtained another pet after a previous one had
died. It's clear the benefits of pet companionship outweigh the drawbacks
of pet allergies for many owners. Living comfortably with a companion animal
despite being allergic to him requires a good understanding of the allergic
condition and an adherence to a few rules.
All cats and dogs are allergenic (allergy-causing) to people who are allergic
to animals. Cats tend to be more allergenic than dogs for allergic people,
although some people are more sensitive to dogs than cats. Contrary to
popular belief, there are no "non-allergenic" breeds of dogs or cats; even
hairless breeds may be highly allergenic.
Dogs with soft, constantly-growing hair—the Poodle or the Bichon Frise, for
example—may be less irritating to some individuals, although this may be
because they are bathed and groomed more frequently. One dog or cat of a
particular breed may be more irritating to an individual allergy sufferer than
another animal of that same breed.
The source of irritation to pet-allergic humans? Glands in the animal's skin
secrete tiny allergy-triggering proteins, called allergens, that linger in the
animal's fur but also float easily in the air. Allergens are present in the
animal's saliva and urine, too, and may become airborne when saliva dries
on the fur. The severity of reaction to these allergens varies from one person
to the next, ranging from mild sniffling and sneezing to life-threatening
asthma, and can be complicated by simultaneous allergies to other irritants
in the environment.
If your or a family member's allergies are simply miserable, but not life-threatening, take these steps to reduce the
symptoms:
reduce pet allergens when sprayed on the animal's fur, studies show they
are less effective than a weekly bath. Even cats can become accustomed to
being bathed; check with your veterinarian's staff or a good book on pet care
for directions about how to do this properly, and use whatever shampoo your
veterinarian recommends.
assumption. And understand that allergies are cumulative. Many allergy
sufferers are sensitive to more than one allergen. So if you're allergic to dust,
insecticides, pollen, cigarette smoke, and cat dander, you'll need to reduce
the overall allergen level in your environment by concentrating on all of the
causes, not just the pet allergy. For example, you may need to step up
measures to remove cat dander from your home and carefully avoid cigarette
smoke during spring, when it is difficult to avoid exposure to pollen.
immune system to the pet allergens. Allergy-causing proteins are injected
under the person's skin, triggering the body to produce antibodies (protective
proteins) which block the pet allergen from causing a reaction. Patients are usually given one dose per week for
a few weeks to months (depending on the severity of the allergy) and then can often manage with one injection
per month.
Of course, if you do not currently have a pet and are considering one, and know you are pet-allergic, be sure to
consider carefully whether you can live with the allergy before you bring a new pet home. Except in the case of children,
who sometimes outgrow allergies, few allergy sufferers become accustomed to pets to whom they are allergic. Too many
allergic owners obtain pets without thinking through the difficulties of living with them. And too often, they end up
relinquishing pets, a decision that is difficult for the owner and can be life-threatening for the pet.
Being a pet owner is never easy. While pets bring us joy and companionship on a daily basis, they also require training,
veterinary care, time, love, attention, and even tolerance. Tolerance is especially necessary when a pet owner is allergic
to his or her companion animal.
Studies show that approximately 15 percent of the population is allergic to
dogs or cats. An estimated one-third of Americans who are allergic to cats
(about two million people) live with at least one cat in their household anyway.
In a study of 341 adults who were allergic to cats or dogs and had been
advised by their physicians to give up their pets, only one out of five did.
What's more, 122 of them obtained another pet after a previous one had
died. It's clear the benefits of pet companionship outweigh the drawbacks
of pet allergies for many owners. Living comfortably with a companion animal
despite being allergic to him requires a good understanding of the allergic
condition and an adherence to a few rules.
All cats and dogs are allergenic (allergy-causing) to people who are allergic
to animals. Cats tend to be more allergenic than dogs for allergic people,
although some people are more sensitive to dogs than cats. Contrary to
popular belief, there are no "non-allergenic" breeds of dogs or cats; even
hairless breeds may be highly allergenic.
Dogs with soft, constantly-growing hair—the Poodle or the Bichon Frise, for
example—may be less irritating to some individuals, although this may be
because they are bathed and groomed more frequently. One dog or cat of a
particular breed may be more irritating to an individual allergy sufferer than
another animal of that same breed.
The source of irritation to pet-allergic humans? Glands in the animal's skin
secrete tiny allergy-triggering proteins, called allergens, that linger in the
animal's fur but also float easily in the air. Allergens are present in the
animal's saliva and urine, too, and may become airborne when saliva dries
on the fur. The severity of reaction to these allergens varies from one person
to the next, ranging from mild sniffling and sneezing to life-threatening
asthma, and can be complicated by simultaneous allergies to other irritants
in the environment.
If your or a family member's allergies are simply miserable, but not life-threatening, take these steps to reduce the
symptoms:
- Create an "allergy free" zone in the home—preferably the bedroom—and strictly prohibit the pet's access to
it. Use a high-efficiency HEPA air cleaner (available at almost any home and garden store or discount department
store) in the bedroom. Consider using impermeable covers for the mattress and pillows because allergen particles
brought into the room on clothes and other objects can accumulate in them. - Use HEPA air cleaners throughout the rest of the home, and avoid dust-and-dander-catching furnishings
such as cloth curtains and blinds and carpeted floors. Clean frequently and thoroughly to remove dust and
dander, washing articles such as couch covers and pillows, curtains, and pet beds. Use a "microfilter" bag in the
vacuum cleaner to effectively catch all the allergens. - Bathing your pet on a weekly basis can reduce the level of allergens on
reduce pet allergens when sprayed on the animal's fur, studies show they
are less effective than a weekly bath. Even cats can become accustomed to
being bathed; check with your veterinarian's staff or a good book on pet care
for directions about how to do this properly, and use whatever shampoo your
veterinarian recommends.
- Don't be quick to blame the family pet for allergies. Ask your allergist
assumption. And understand that allergies are cumulative. Many allergy
sufferers are sensitive to more than one allergen. So if you're allergic to dust,
insecticides, pollen, cigarette smoke, and cat dander, you'll need to reduce
the overall allergen level in your environment by concentrating on all of the
causes, not just the pet allergy. For example, you may need to step up
measures to remove cat dander from your home and carefully avoid cigarette
smoke during spring, when it is difficult to avoid exposure to pollen.
- Immunotherapy (allergy shots) can improve symptoms but cannot
immune system to the pet allergens. Allergy-causing proteins are injected
under the person's skin, triggering the body to produce antibodies (protective
proteins) which block the pet allergen from causing a reaction. Patients are usually given one dose per week for
a few weeks to months (depending on the severity of the allergy) and then can often manage with one injection
per month.
- Additional treatments for allergies to pets are symptomatic, including steroidal and antihistamine nose
sprays and antihistamine pills. For asthma, there are multiple medications, sprays, and inhalers available. It is
important to find an allergist who understands your commitment to living with your pet. A combination of
approaches—medical control of symptoms, good housecleaning methods, and immunotherapy—is most likely to
succeed in allowing an allergic person to live with pets.
Of course, if you do not currently have a pet and are considering one, and know you are pet-allergic, be sure to
consider carefully whether you can live with the allergy before you bring a new pet home. Except in the case of children,
who sometimes outgrow allergies, few allergy sufferers become accustomed to pets to whom they are allergic. Too many
allergic owners obtain pets without thinking through the difficulties of living with them. And too often, they end up
relinquishing pets, a decision that is difficult for the owner and can be life-threatening for the pet.
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