What causes allergies to pets?
The main cause of allergies to pets is dander, which are dead skin cells shed by your pet, other sources of allergens include proteins found in your pet’s saliva, urine and faeces. All of these sources of allergens are airborne and can easily stick to bedding, fabrics and furniture and without proper air quality in your home, exposure can trigger your allergens.
Best hypoallergenic pets
The best pets to have if you are an allergy sufferer, are those that do not produce any proteins found in any of the sources discussed above, including dander and saliva. These can include:
- Reptiles
- Amphibians
- Fish
- Birds
These types of pets have very specific needs, including environment, dietary and health. It is extremely important you do plenty of research before purchasing any of these animals to ensure you can properly take care of them and meet all of their needs.
Other mammals:
Although small mammals and rodents produce dander the spread of allergens can be prevented as they are mostly caged, therefore their dander is kept to one area. Types of small mammals and rodents which are common pets include:
- Hamsters
- Rabbits
- Guinea pigs
- Chinchillas
It is important to regularly clean their enclosures and keep them in an area away from anyone who suffers with allergies. Again, all of these animals have different needs so ensure you do plenty of research before purchasing!
Dogs and Cats:
There is no cat or dog that is 100% hypoallergenic, however there are a few breeds that are better options for allergy sufferers. These breeds may shed less or produce less proteins found in dander or saliva, meaning they are less likely to cause allergies. Some options include:
Dogs:
- Schnauzers
- Bichon Frise
- Poodle
- Shih Tzu
- Portuguese water dog
- Yorkshire terrier
Cats:
- Sphynx
- Cornish rex
- Devon rex
- Russian blue
- Oriental
Tips:
If you chose to have a pet that isn’t a 100% hypoallergenic then these easy tips could help decrease the effects of your allergies:
- Regularly vacuum clean your house
- Regularly clean your pets bedding
- Keep up with grooming your pet, brushing them up to 5 times a week and bathing them with an anti-allergenic shampoo
- Try to keep your pet out of your bedroom and off of furniture
- Regularly wash your hands and try not touching your face
- Speak with your doctor or pharmacist about how to manage allergies
