Managing a Pet Allergy

If your four legged friend is responsible for your allergy symptoms, you don't necessarily have to say goodbye. There are steps you can take to manage your pet allergy.

By Krisha McCoy, MS
Medically reviewed by Niya Jones, MD, MPH
Article reprinted with permission from EverydayHealth.com

Over 300 adults with a dog or cat allergy were asked by their doctors to give up their pets to reduce their allergy symptoms. A mere 21 percent followed their doctor's advice, according to one study.

The truth is, we love our pets—70 percent of people in the U.S. have a pet at home. And for those of us with a pet allergy, trying to manage that allergy without losing our pets can be a challenge

Pet Allergy Symptoms

About 10 percent of the general population is allergic to animals. People with a pet allergy are allergic to the protein components of pet dander (dead skin that flakes off) as well as pet saliva and urine.

When they are exposed to these proteins, called allergens, their immune system overreacts and triggers an allergic response. Symptoms of a pet allergy may include:

Stuffy nose
Red and itchy eyes
Sneezing
Wheezing
Coughing
Shortness of breath
Skin reactions, such as rash or swelling

If you suspect you have a pet allergy, an allergist can assess your medical history, and perform tests to determine which specific allergens may be causing your symptoms.

Allergy: When Your Pet Is to Blame

If a pet lives in your home and you are diagnosed with a pet allergy, your allergist will probably recommend that you give up your pet.

"We recommend removal of the pet, of course," says Julie McNairn, MD, an allergist and immunologist in private practice in Middletown, Ohio. But, she says, many allergists aren't as strict about that as they used to be.

"Cat and dog allergens are present anywhere you go," says Dr. McNairn, even in places where cats and dogs have never actually lived. So there is no way to completely eliminate pet allergens in your home.

Allergy: Reducing Pet Allergen Exposure

But if you have a pet allergy and do live with an animal, your goal should be to reduce your exposure to allergens as much as possible.

For pet owners who do not want to part with their furry friend, McNairn suggests trying the following:

Keep the cat or dog outside. The best way to reduce pet allergens in your home is to keep your dog or cat outdoors.
Confine the pet to one room. If keeping your pet outside is not an option, the next best thing to do is to confine the animal to one room.
Keep the pet out of your bedroom. Since you spend a lot of time in your bedroom, try to keep your pet out of the bedroom to reduce your symptoms.
Consider an air filter. "There is some weak evidence that using a room-sized or bedside type of air filter may be helpful" in managing a pet allergy, says McNairn. Even though air filters are designed to remove air particles the size of cat or dog allergens, these allergens tend to settle on surfaces very quickly, so the filter will not be completely effective, warns McNairn.

Your allergist may recommend other ways to manage your specific pet allergy. This may include taking medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, and even allergy shots, which can make you less sensitive to pet allergens.

Choosing an Allergy-Friendly Pet

For people who have a pet allergy but still want to have a pet, they should look for furless, hairless animals that don't shed dander. Keep in mind that most people with pet allergies experience symptoms due to pet dander on their pet's fur, rather than from exposure to the fur itself. That being said, pets that don't shed as much hair probably won't ease allergy symptoms too much, especially if they still shed a lot of dander.

McNairn says that fish are probably the most ideal pets for someone with a pet allergy. But, if a fish just won't do the trick, there are certain breeds of dogs that are touted as hypoallergenic. But, before you bring your less furry or furless four legged friend home, check with your allergist first. Don't believe all claims breeders make.

A final word: A pet allergy can run in the family, and it doesn't usually spring up after immediate exposure - it may take a year or two for symptoms to arise. So just because you, or your children, have been around a pet and have not had symptoms doesn't mean you won't develop an allergy, eventually. Be sure to watch out for eye irritation, nasal congestion or difficulty breathing, particularly among family members with asthma. If symptoms arise, contact your allergist so that the exact cause of your symptoms can be identified.