Sharing your home with a pet can offer many benefits, even beyond the obvious advantages of a lovable companion. Having a devoted dog to take for walks is one way to get your exercise. A cat curled up on the couch with you in the evening can be a great comfort.
For those of us with allergies, the challenge is that cats and dogs are furry—even short-haired breeds can shed and spread dander into the air. However, if you’re allergy-prone, there are still ways to enjoy all the fun of having a cat or dog. Let’s look at what’s involved.
Why are some people allergic to furry pets?
You know the signs when you’re near someone’s pet. You sneeze; your nose runs, and your eyes tear up with that red-rimmed look. It’s not a pretty sight and can be very uncomfortable. When you experience an allergic reaction, your immune system is responding to a protein exuded by the animal that’s on their skin, or in their saliva or urine. This substance can also be caught in the creature’s hair and escape into the air via the dander (microscopic pieces of skin, similar to human dandruff) that they shed.
What breeds or traits should I look for?
While many cats and dogs trigger an allergy attack in some humans, the good news is that some breeds are much easier to be around. You may hear them referred to as “hypoallergenic,” meaning they are safer to be adopted by someone with allergies. Note that no breed of cat or dog is truly, 100% hypoallergenic, and if your allergies are severe, you simply may not be comfortable adopting a furry friend.
There are a few other facts to be aware of. Typically, male cats have more dander than females, especially if they haven’t been neutered. Long-haired cats and dogs generally shed more, but this is not always true in every situation—lots of short-haired dogs, for example, tend to shed more than their long-haired counterparts because they have denser coats.
Best dog breeds
If you’re a dog person, there are some excellent choices when it comes to finding a furry friend that won’t cause you to have a sneezing fit. The following canines tend to shed less and produce less dander than most other breeds.
- Bichon Frise ─ These littlecanines shed very little. They have a lovely, soft fluffy coat.
- Poodle ─ A poodle’s hair is tightly curled. As a result, it serves to trap dander and loose hair, meaning that these dogs release a lower amount of these substances into the air.
- Portuguese Water Dog ─ These beautiful dogs have a thick, curly coat that sheds minimally. They became famous when President Obama’s family adopted two of the breed, in part because of their hypoallergenic reputation.
- Maltese ─ Maltese dogs have luxurious, silky long hair that’s less prone to shedding.
- Schnauzer ─ Although the schnauzer has a double coat, their wiry coat is known not to shed very much.
Best cat breeds
If you’re partial to felines, here are five breeds that could be a great addition to your household. These cats tend to release fewer allergens into the environment.
- Bengal ─ The Bengal is a beautiful, regal-looking feline. They have short coats of fine hair that sheds hardly at all.
- Cornish Rex ─ Dander is less of a concern with this breed that only sports a fine downy undercoat.
- Devon Rex ─ The short, curly hair of a Devon Rex lends itself to less shedding and dander.
- Russian Blue ─ Russian Blues have a short, dense coat that sheds very little and traps allergens closer to the skin.
- Sphynx ─ These striking, unusual cats are almost completely hairless and are therefore often considered hypoallergenic.
How can I minimize pet dander?
Even if you’ve found the perfect hypoallergenic pet, it’s still a good idea to take steps to reduce the amount of pet dander in your home. This, too, will help you avoid the unpleasant symptoms of allergies. Here are seven tips to minimize dander and make your living environment a lot more comfortable.
- Clean frequently ─ There’s no replacement for following a cleaning schedule for your home. Regular vacuuming, sweeping, and dusting are necessary when you have pets.
- Groom your pets ─ Taking care of your animal’s grooming by regularly brushing their coat (and bathing them, if you have a dog) will reduce the dander they shed.
- Have pet-free areas ─ Your feline or canine companion doesn’t need to have the run of the house. Designate some rooms off-limits, such as your bedroom, to reduce the amount of dander in these places.
- Hire a professional cleaner ─ Every so often, have your home deep-cleaned by a professional. Carpets and fabric surfaces can hold on to dander, and this will ensure that you’ve done all you can to remove these particles.
- Keep your humidity levels in check ─ When the humidity levels in your home are appropriate, less dander will be floating around in the air.
- Use an air purifier ─ Purchasing an air purifier with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter is a good step. These machines improve air quality inside by removing dander and other particulate matter from the air.
- Wash pet beds ─ Keeping your pet’s bed or favorite blanket clean by putting it through the laundry will reduce the build-up of dander.
With research and careful planning, adopting a dog or cat is possible for many people with mild to moderate pet allergies. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about allergies before adopting. In addition, try to spend time with your potential pet (for example, in the shelter or by fostering) before committing to the adoption to see if you experience a reaction. Over-the-counter medications like antihistamines can also help greatly.