Pet Allergies:  Nothing to Sneeze At

“To bathe a cat takes brute force, perseverance, courage of conviction – and a cat. 

The last ingredient is usually hardest to come by.”

-Stephen Baker

GENERAL RULE: All pets can cause allergies.  Living comfortably with a pet, while being allergic, requires following a few common sense rules.   Most pet owners with allergies manage pretty well.

IDENTIFYING ISSUES AND PROBLEMS:

Just as tolerance is important when a pet owner is allergic, so is understanding.  Consider the following:

• If you know you are pet-allergic and are thinking about getting one anyway, be sure you fully think through your decision before bringing a new pet home.  You are the one responsible for the consequences of your decision.
• Allergens are tiny proteins secreted from glands in your pet’s skin.  They are in the fur, the air, the pet’s urine and saliva. They can, but rarely, act alone.  Usually, other irritants contribute to the allergic environment.
• For most happy pet owners coping with allergies it is quite manageable.  In some rare cases, however, pet allergies can contribute to severe health problems such as asthma.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Cats are worse than dogs in creating allergic reactions, because they are bathed less often.  If you want to regularly bathe your pet, start when they are young and bathe them on a regular schedule, perhaps weekly.  Doing so can reduce allergens by as much as 80 percent.  Be cautious about bathing in cold weather, however, and make sure to dry the animal carefully.
• Talk to a Vet or the APL about choosing a pet if you have allergies.  Some types of companion animals are less allergenic than others, although all contribute allergens to the environment.
• Use high-efficiency HEPA air cleaners and vacuum bags in sweepers and clean them regularly to reduce allergens and other particulate matter in the air.
• Whatever can catch dust in your house can also catch allergens.  Clean regularly (or avoid) cloth curtains, couch coverings and carpeting.
• Consult an allergist to be specifically tested for allergies to pet dander.  If you are allergic, you can gradually be desensitized through immunotherapy (allergy shots). The shots are far easier to endure than most people think and are relatively inexpensive.  The process may take about a year to complete.  Always consult with your physician before starting.
• Many over-the-counter treatments for allergies to pets (nose spays, inhalers, and medications) are sold in stores.  Check with your physician.

SUMMARY:

You might want to think twice about pet ownership if you have allergies and tolerance is not one of your personality traits,  Pet dander (allergen) usually is not the only cause of an allergic reaction, but it certainly can be a major contributing factor.  There are things you can do, however, to make living with a pet more healthful.  The ultimate responsibility rests with you to bathe your pet, regularly clean the living environment for you and your pet, use HEPA cleaners to reduce airborne allergens, and get help to better cope with any allergic reactions.  Being a pet owner is not easy and is a big responsibility, but owning a pet can bring endless joy, laughter and companionship … and, yes, a sneeze or two.

Revised 2.24.08