PETS AND ANIMALS

It’s a sad truth that millions of people suffer from allergies to pets, with dogs and cats being the biggest culprits. The most common triggers for these allergies are animal dander, hair, and saliva, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe. Even people who don’t own pets can be affected when they visit the homes of pet owners and find themselves experiencing allergy symptoms.

Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a myth that there’s such a thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog or cat. While there are certain species that tend to elicit less of a response, there’s no guaranteed way to avoid triggering allergies entirely.

Interestingly, some people who think they have a pet allergy may actually be reacting to other substances that have collected on the animal’s fur, like mold spores, pollens, grasses, weeds, or even dust. These irritants can stick to the pet and cause an allergic reaction, which can make the pet allergy symptoms even worse.

Main symptoms associated with dogs and cats

• Chronic nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, or asthma
• Red, itchy, watery eyes
• Skin conditions such as eczema, hives, rashes or itching skin