LDN - Features

2024 Animal Stories

Pet Allergies? No Problem! Just go Hypoallergenic!
By Matt Boutcher

[March 05, 2024] While the entirety of this magazine has to do with pets, the reality is that a significant portion of people have allergies to the more traditional pets, such as cats and dogs. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) reports that allergies to dogs and cats affect anywhere between ten and twenty percent of the world’s population.

The AAFA continues by stating that these allergies aren’t just limited to dogs and cats, but any animal with fur. The AAFA reports that “even rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, and horses can cause allergy symptoms.” Some people can even be allergic to animals with feathers. This being the case, this not insignificant portion of the population may see a magazine such as this one and feel there is nothing in it for them. This, however, is not the case, as there are plenty of pets out there that are hypoallergenic.

To start, what is an allergy and why are some people allergic to things that others are not? According to the Mayo Clinic, “allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance… that doesn’t cause a reaction in most people.” These reactions can range from something as minor as a small irritation to anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis, for those unfamiliar with the term, is an allergic reaction so severe that it could be life-threatening. According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), when a person with allergies is exposed to the thing they are allergic to, their immune system releases antibodies. These antibodies then travel to cells that release chemicals that cause the allergic reaction. Since allergies are so unique, with different people reacting differently to different allergens, it’s difficult to say exactly what causes them. The AAAAI states, “it is not yet fully understood why some substances trigger allergies and others do not, nor why some people have allergic reactions and others do not.”

Since allergies are so specific to the individual, it stands to reason that there should be plenty of pets for people with allergies. Likely one of the most popular hypoallergenic pets is the Hairless or Sphynx cat. While it is commonly believed that this breed of cat is fully hypoallergenic, that’s only partly true. One of the more common things people are allergic to in cats is a protein found in their saliva called “Fel d 1.”

According to the Smithsonian Magazine, when a cat grooms itself, the Fel d 1 protein dries on their fur and becomes airborne. While it is true that, due to their hairless nature, Sphynx cats produce less airborne Fel d 1, they likely produce just as much of this protein in their saliva as any other cat breed. According to several sources, there may be cat breeds that produce less Fel d 1 protein than other cats. These breeds may include the Sphynx as well as the Siberian, Balinese, Devon Rex, and Cornish Rex. The unfortunate reality for cats, however, is that there is no true hypoallergenic cat. In addition to their saliva, irritants can be found in a cat’s skin cells and urine as well. Cats with shorter hair, however, seem to be less likely to cause reactions in people who are allergic to them.

What about dogs?

While they do not release the Fel d 1 protein, dogs do release their own salivary proteins called “Can f 1” and “Can f 2.” To make matters worse, like cats, their skin cells and urine can contain allergens as well. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), like cats, there are no dog breeds that are 100% hypoallergenic. There may be some breeds that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction than others.

Dogs that drool a lot, such as a Bloodhound, may not be the best choice for someone with an allergy to dogs. Also, dog breeds that don’t shed as much as others may be a good choice. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has a long list of dogs they claim to be “hypoallergenic,” and you can see that list here - Hypoallergenic Dogs – Page 3 of 3 – American Kennel Club (akc.org)

Keep in mind that, as the AKC states on the website, no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic. A dog that works for one person’s allergies may not for another.

If you are allergic to the pet you own and love

If you have a cat or dog and are allergic, the ACAAI states the best way to manage your symptoms is to remove the animal from your home. If this is not an option for you, or if you’d prefer to keep the animal, there are a few things you can do to help mitigate the allergens in the air. Firstly, you can limit the animal to only a few rooms in the house and keep them away from central living spaces.

Next, somewhat obviously, the ACAAI recommends not hugging or kissing the animal, and to wash your hands if you touch them. They also state that you can purchase a HEPA air filter, and that over time, the amount of allergens in the air may start to decrease.

Using a high-efficiency vacuum can help to reduce the allergen levels as well. Finally, giving your dog or cat a bath once a week can help with airborne allergens.

Other pet options

Well then, we seem to be out of options. If you’re allergic to cats, dogs, or worse, both, then what hope do you have to be able to have a pet? While dogs are the number one most popular pet to have in the United States, followed closely behind by cats, these two types of pets are by no means your only options.

[to top of second column]

Fish are one type of pet that may be much more hypoallergenic than a dog or a cat. While there are people with fish allergies, foodallergy.org reports that only about one percent of the population is allergic to fish, and this is when eating them. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website describes fish as “great pets for people with allergies.” The only real problem when keeping a fish that could lead to an allergic reaction is mold in the fish tank. Should you give your fish tank the required maintenance that it needs, however, this shouldn’t really be an issue.

Turtles and tortoises are another great choice for people with allergies. Similarly to fish, these creatures require proper tank maintenance to reduce the risk of mold. Human sensitivity to turtles and tortoises is rare. Those who are allergic will likely have a reaction when touching the animal, as their bodies react to the proteins the animal transfers onto their skin.

Snakes, frogs, lizards, and other reptiles can be a safe option as well for many of the same reasons as turtles and tortoises. While people can be allergic to any of these animals, cases of allergic reactions to them are much rarer.

If you are the poor unfortunate soul reading this article who is allergic to every pet mentioned thus far no matter how aquatic or hairless, don’t fret. There is one final sure-fire pet that is (almost) guaranteed to not cause an allergic reaction. That pet is, of course, a pet rock! Popular in the 1980’s, these easy to care for pets can still be purchased online.

In all seriousness, there are many alternative pet options for people with allergies. Due to the unique nature of allergies, and the fact that not all animals cause every person to exhibit allergic reactions, finding the pet that works for you and your allergies needs to be more trial and error.

Armed with this knowledge, however, you may have more luck finding a pet that won’t aggravate your allergies.

Sources:

1. https://aafa.org/allergies/types-of-
allergies/pet-dog-cat-allergies/#:~:
text=About%207%20out%20of%
2010,United%20States%20have%
20a%20pet.&text=But%20many%
20people%20have%20animal,20%
25%20of%20the%20world's%