Pouncing On Pet Dander - What You Can Do To Help Yourself: Allergies

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Pouncing on pet dander

Pouncing on pet dander

If you have allergies and you have a pet — be it a cat, dog, guinea pig, hamster, or rabbit — your allergist is likely to recommend finding a new home for your furry four-legged companion. But many people find it difficult, if not impossible, to part with their pets.

 So how do you live with your pet as comfortably as possible? If your animal companion sets off a sneezing fit, you’re allergic to a protein (Fel d 1 in cats; Can f 1 in dogs) found in the animal’s dander and saliva. For guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits, the allergen is in the urine. For the record: There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic pet. But the amount of allergen an animal produces can vary from one breed to another and from animal to animal — meaning one cat might make you sneeze and make your eyes itch more than another cat, even among cats within the same household. Male cats may be more allergenic than females.

One key to comfort is keeping the animal out of your bedroom. If your pet already sleeps with you, this might be a tough sell, but you need to harden your heart to the pitiful mews and whimpers.

Animal allergens are “sticky.” This means the proteins are notoriously difficult to get rid of. They stick to the animal’s bedding, upholstered furniture, clothing in closets, and so forth. This explains why you can brush against a pet owner in your workplace and start sneezing violently. This stickiness means you need to be extra diligent. Here are some suggestions:

• Find a new, loving home for your pet.

• If you can’t bear to be permanently parted, ban your pet from the bedroom.

• Give your pet a weekly bath to reduce the allergen count. (Some felines may not be amused. Wear protective clothes!)

• Don’t keep rodents as pets. They’re notoriously potent sensitizers.

• Have someone else clean the guinea pig/hamster/rabbit cage.

• Don’t fret about vacuuming. It’s not very effective for animal dander. But when you do vacuum, use a HEPA filter or a double bag.

• Get rid of your carpets. They’re reservoirs for the allergen. Use small, washable area rugs and wash them regularly in hot water.

• Routinely wash your pet’s bedding.

Earlier, this report pointed out that children who grow up with animals are less likely to become allergic to them. A 2003 study showed that many allergic children who lived with cats did not have a positive skin test for cats. But animals can’t “cure” allergies. Once you or your child are allergic, the die is cast.

Last updated:	August 21, 2006
Reviewed By:	Faculty of Harvard Medical School