“My girlfriend does not like my beagle Molly. So I have to rehome her. She is a purebred from a wealthy area and I have had her 4 years. She likes to play games. Not totally trained. Has long hair so she’s a little high maintenance, especially the nails, but she loves having them done. Stays up all night yapping but sleeps while I work. Only eats the best, most expensive food. Will NEVER greet you at the door after a long day or give you unconditional love when you’re down. Does not bite but she can be mean as hell! So… anyone interested in my 30 year old, selfish, wicked, gold-digging girlfriend? Come and get her! Me and my dog want her re-homed ASAP!”
We’ll give you a moment to recover. Ahem.
Although the above ad clearly was a joke (we think), it points out the obvious attachment people have to their dogs, cats and other furry friends. The pets' companionship, funny activities, unconditional love and nurturing enrich the lives of the millions of Americans who harbor them.
Unfortunately, there are a large number of homes that don’t have pets. That’s because one or more members of the family have an allergy to them, causing sneezing, runny noses, red eyes and general misery. But there’s a way to accommodate the family member or members who have this unfortunate reaction to animals. It’s possible to keep a pet and keep your family member happy and healthy if you just take some precautions.
Pet allergies are common, and you’re more likely to have a reaction to them if you have a family history of asthma or other allergies. It is believed that about 15 to 30 percent of people who suffer from allergies also have an allergic reaction to dogs or cats, with some having aversions to feathers. The United States' pet population comprises more than 100 million furry friends, so that’s a lot of animals to avoid. It’s estimated that some six out of 10 people have some contact with cats or dogs.
Not Every Animal
Remarkably, not every person is allergic to every animal with fur. Some may be allergic to only certain breeds of dogs. About twice as many people have cat allergies than dog reactions.
Some researchers believe being exposed to pets early in life can help prevent pet allergies, and there are studies that show that children who lived with a dog in their first year can resist upper respiratory infections better than those who were dog-less.
People with pet allergies are actually reacting to the fluids and dander that cats and dogs produce. Because immune systems seek out various viruses and bacteria to eliminate, some people with hyper-sensitive immune systems go on alert when confronted with pet saliva, urine or dead skin (dander). Those are proteins known as allergens, and they are what cause the various reactions.
Even when a cat or dog is not in the room, its dander can linger for months. Dander gathers on various surfaces and sustains its strength for months on end, building in intensity on walls, clothes and other areas. It can even be found in homes where there are no pets because it's carried in on clothes that have come in contact with a pet or via the local air, where the allergens can float for long periods. When they reach your nose and eyes, you start to get symptoms that resemble the common cold. Swelling and redness causes runny noses and other afflictions. Some individuals are so sensitive that a mere lick from a pet can resemble a burn on the skin.
The danger for the severely allergic comes from inhaled airborne particles. These can lodge in the lungs and cause shortness of breath and rashes. Those who already have asthma can have a severe attack in minutes.
If you’re not sure if you have an allergy to pets, your doctor or other medical professional can diagnose it with some simple tests.
Living with Pets
The best way to avoid animal allergies is, of course, not to expose yourself to dogs or cats. You can keep them out of the house and not visit people who have pets. But aside from limiting your social life, you miss out on the fun and companionship of a pet.
However, there are ways to live with your pet. It’s not easy and requires proactive work and rules, but it can be done. Here are a few tips:
1) Keep your pet outdoors – This may not be practical in colder climates, but it can limit dander exposure in the house. Note that we said limit, not eliminate. There will still be dander carried on anyone who interacts with the animal. And you’ll miss out on some valuable interactions with your pet by isolating it, which may develop psychological problems in the pet.
2) Establish no-go zones – You can keep the pet away from bedrooms and other rooms (particularly bedrooms) so that the dander doesn’t build up in those living spaces. That means keeping the doors closed -- nothing is as tempting to a pet as a peek behind the hidden door.
3) Frequent baths – A weekly bath from a family member, friend or professional service can go a long way toward reducing the amount of dander produced. Just make sure that the animal isn’t suffering or drying out from excessive use of soaps or other cleaning instruments.
4) Get rid of things that harbor dander – An environment where dander can accumulate will only cause more problems. Things like carpeting should be replaced with tile, wood floors or vinyl that won’t gather as much dander. Curtains, blinds and upholstered furniture are great dander grabbers, so frequently clean them or find covers/substitutes.
5) Filters are your friend – A high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) can help keep floating dander levels at a manageable level.
It’s not easy accommodating a pet and a highly allergic family member. But with hard work and special attention, it can be done, providing you the opportunity to enjoy your cats and dogs like other Americans.