Coping with Human Allergies to Dogs and Cats

Many Americans who are allergic to cats or dogs have either or both of them as pets and continue to do so even after being advised by their doctor to give up their pets. Many people discover their allergies some time after they bring home their cat or dog and by this time they and their family members have developed an attachment to the pet. This is particularly true for children. The loss of a pet can be really traumatic for them. This shows that most people prefer to live with their allergies rather than give up a companion animal. The good news is that in many cases you can minimize the effect of the allergy by having a good understanding of the specific allergic conditions and making some adjustments and lifestyle changes.

Although few pet owners are more susceptible to dogs when compared to cats most people are more allergic to cats than dogs. However there are no non allergenic cats or dogs as most people believe. There are some hairless breeds which are being advertised as non allergenic but they can also be highly allergenic. This is because those who are allergic to the pets are not only affected by their hair. Individual allergic reactions vary from person to person and from breed to breed. Even dogs of the same breed may be allergenic to varying degrees. The main source of pet allergy in humans is the proteins called 'allergens' that are secreted form small glands in the pet's skin and remain for sometime on the animal's fur and then float around in the air.

Allergens are also present in the dog's or cat's urine or saliva which on getting dried up release allergens into the air. These allergens present in the air trigger allergic reactions on being inhaled or on coming in contact with the allergic individuals skin. The severity of the allergic reaction vary depending on individual susceptibility. They may be triggered in the form of mild sniffles to violent sneezing or asthma that may sometimes become life threatening. The allergic reactions may get aggravated due to the presence of other allergens in the air to which the individual is also susceptible.