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.
All cats and dogs are allergenic (cause allergy) 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 than another animal of that same breed.
If your or a family member’s allergies are making life miserable, take these steps to reduce symptoms:
Create an “allergy free” zone in the home - preferably the bedroom - and strictly prohibit your 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.
Bathing your pet on a weekly basis can reduce the level of allergens on fur by as much as 84 percent. Although products are available that claim to 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 or a good book on pet care for directions on how to do this properly. Use whatever shampoo your veterinarian recommends.
Don’t be quick to blame the family pet for allergies. Ask your allergist to specifically test you for allergies to pet dander rather than making an 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 pet allergy.
Of course, if you don’t have a pet and are considering getting one, and you know you are a sensitive person, 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 which 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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