There’s no doubt about it: a family pet can bring a lot of love and the bonding experience you’ll enjoy with them is truly like no other. Many potential animal owners stifle the impulse to adopt a dog or cat due to being allergic to their hair and dander. They’re concerned such close contact will trigger a reaction.
But if you’re really motivated to have a pet, there is a way; you just have to understand the options and choose accordingly. Are you ready to find a furry friend to call your own? Here’s what you need to know to select the perfect match.
Understanding allergies
Actually, being allergic to a particular species of animal is fairly common. This could mean reacting with annoying symptoms to not only felines and canines, but other critters with coats like horses, rabbits, and hamsters. And, there can be quite a range of allergic reactions from sneezing to congestion to even asthma attacks.
Would you believe that allergies are one of the most frequent reasons given when a pet parent has to surrender their pooch or kitty? This can be a heartbreaking decision for the owners and is, of course, very difficult for the animal. That’s why it’s critical to understand any allergies you may have before adopting. This is doubly important if you have some other sensitivities and aren’t sure if you have a pet allergy, too.
If you find that you have itchy eyes, hives, a runny nose, or a cough when you are near furry animals, it’s a good idea to investigate allergy testing with a medical specialist. Maybe your allergies are fairly mild and you might determine that your physical discomfort is more than worth it to have a dog or cat in your life. Even so, be sure to arm yourself with the facts first before making this momentous decision.
How to manage your allergies
Although spending some time around animals beforehand might be a way to test your allergies, it’s not always a good indication of how badly having a pet at home day in and day out will trigger your symptoms. In addition, you can be minimally reactive to one cat or dog and experience much stronger sensations when exposed to a different animal. Choosing the best canine or feline comes with a bit of guesswork.
That said, there are a number of things you can do once you get Rosie or Rosco home to minimize your potential allergic reactions. You can start by purchasing a good-quality vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and using it regularly to keep your floors, furniture and drapes as clean as you can. Another way to reduce flare-ups is to run an air purifier in the house. Remove as many carpets and rugs as you can and use mattress and pillow covers that are allergen-proof. Dusting all surfaces often with a damp cloth helps, too.
When it comes to interacting with your feline or canine companion, wash your hands after petting them and change your clothes. Although you may be tempted to let them sleep with you, it will be better for your health if you don’t allow them into your bedroom. In addition, you can keep your companion off the furniture or give them their own chair, if you must. Remember to groom your friend with a good pet brush so that there is less hair and dander circulating in the air. Plus, you can get allergy shots.
What to do instead
There are some lovely dog and cat breeds that are non-allergenic. While no animal with a coat is truly hypoallergenic, it’s a much safer bet that certain types of canines and felines won’t trigger a stuffy nose or beathing difficulties.
Consider a cat like the Devon Rex, Cornish Rex, or Sphynx. When it comes to dog breeds, there are more to choose from. Some of the more common ones include the Labradoodle, Bichon Frise, Schnauzer, Poodle, Maltese, and Irish Water Spaniel.
The other option is to adopt an entirely different type of pet. Any animal without fur is one you don’t have to worry about if you have allergies. Think about getting a fish, turtle, lizard, or snake. Maybe these kinds of critters aren’t your thing, but it’s worthwhile to consider them. While they may not be quite as responsive as dogs or cats, you may find that they do have interesting personalities all their own.
In conclusion
The tricky thing about pet allergies is that it really depends on the person and animal. Not all dogs shed in exactly the same way or produce the same proteins, so the number of allergens they give off will be different. This means that you could be very reactive to your friend’s poodle but not experience symptoms around another poodle. Challenges aside, it’s really up to you to determine if the rewards outweigh the risks.