Should I keep a dog I m allergic to
Can I Have A Dog If I Have Allergies?
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Sharing your life with a dog is a special experience. After all, theyre adorable, perceptive, and provide unconditional love. In fact, having a dog in the home can provide manybenefits to kidsin particular, such as greater compassion and self-esteem.
But how do dogs affect our health? Recent research has shown thatchildren exposed to dogs may have a lower risk of asthma.Andsurprisingly,dog exposure before the age of one might protect against future allergies.But what if you suspect you already have an allergy to dogs? Perhaps you get a runny nose or watery eyes whenever youre around one. Or what if youve already had a dog allergy diagnosed?
Well, having a dog certainly wont relieve your symptoms. Does that mean you can never have a dog, or could a so-called hypoallergenic dog breed be the answer? Is there evensuch a thing as a hypoallergenic dog? Or could there be other options?
Everybodys allergies are different, ranging from mild to severe. And there are steps you can take to minimize your exposure. Depending on your situation, you might be destined to live dog-less. However, if you take the time to do your research, get proper allergy testing, and work on keeping the allergens at bay, dog ownership could be a possibility. Read on to see if owning a dog, even if you have allergies, might be in your future.
What Causes Allergies to Dogs?
Hypoallergenic dog breeds are often defined as those that either dont shed or are hairless. Breeds in the past thought of as being hypoallergenic are really breeds or types of dogs with minimal shedding or whose type of hair (or lack of hair) may cause less possibility to create a reaction due to the type of coat that breed has, affirms Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC.
But does a dogs coat really determine the risk of an allergic reaction?
For most people with dog allergies, the dogs fur isnt the issue. According to Dr. Klein, its not necessarily the fur, but the dander, that causes allergic reactions in people. Dander is the tiny bits of skin that are shed by the dog, much like people shed dandruff. This dander often ends up combined with other allergens, like the proteins found in the dogs urine, feces, and saliva.
In most breeds, shed fur can carry proteins and dander all over your house. So-called hypoallergenic breeds dont have that problem. But of course, they can still cause an allergic reaction. No breed is truly allergy-safe. In fact, hypoallergenic dogs may produce just as many allergens as their shedding, furry cousins. And all those allergy-triggering proteins can become airborne, particularly when your dog licks themself when grooming. Dander and protein can also be directly transferred to you when you pet your dog or if your dog licks you.
So, despite their label,there is no guarantee a hypoallergenic dog breed wont trigger your allergies.
What Is an Allergy Test?
If there isnt a truly hypoallergenic dog, and you believe you may have allergies, does that mean all hope is lost? Not at all. The first step in determining if you can live with a dog is to undergotesting for allergic sensitization. Although whats causing your allergies might seem obvious, dont self-diagnose, because your symptoms could be unrelated to what you suspect. Plus, up to 80% of people with allergies are allergic to more than one thing. And those allergic triggers can add up. So, if you have an issue with pollen and a pet allergy, reducing exposure to the pollen might be enough to keep your dog allergy symptoms at bay.
Plus, allergy tests have come a long way. While skin prick tests and traditional blood tests both help a clinician diagnose allergies to common causes like pets, new blood tests that examine allergens on the molecular level can provide clinicians with even more information. Using a standard blood draw, allergen component testingcan get extremely specific. It can pinpoint the exact allergenic proteins that may be causing your symptoms. And in terms of dog ownership, that can have a huge impact.
For example, some people are only sensitive to a dog protein called Can f 5, which is only produced by male dogs. Up to 30% of people who only have a Can f 5 sensitivity may be able to tolerate a female dog or a male dog that has been neutered. Armed with this detailed information about your allergies, you will be in a much better position to make a responsible decision about dog ownership.
Are There Dog Breeds Suitable for People Allergic to Dogs?
The real issue to consider is the severity of your allergies. If your symptoms are inconvenient but tolerable, then there is likely a place for a dog in your life. And in that case, Dr. Klein says so-called hypoallergenic dog breeds are likely the safer choice. These are the American Kennel Clubs recommended breeds for allergy sufferers:
There is a wide range of less allergenic dog breeds, from the large, intelligent, and protective Giant Schnauzer to the tiny, calm, and hairless toy Xoloitzcuintli. Dr. Klein points out that because smaller breeds have less of everything, they will also create less dander than larger breeds. Research the available breeds and look for one that fits your lifestyle. For example, do you want a high-energy dog to participate indog sportswith, or would you prefer a quiet lap dog? Its essential to find the right match, so in addition to coat care and dander potential, look at size, personality, activity level, trainability, and more.
Dr. Klein emphasizes that the match should be for the dogs entire life, stating, What no one wants is to relinquish a dog because of factors like a change in income, a change in living arrangements, or the development of an allergy by a member of the family.
Although its a difficult decision, on the rare occasion that you cant find the right match, Dr. Klein advises that it might be wiser to not acquire a dog, rather than bring one home only to relinquish it for rescue.
Tips for Choosing a Dog if You Are Allergic to Dogs
Once youve narrowed your choices, your job still isnt done. Just because a breed matches your lifestyle and is considered hypoallergenic doesnt mean its the right one for you. Since every person is an individual, every allergic response will be different.
Where one person may have an allergic reaction to a Poodle, they may not be allergic to an American Hairless Terrier, cautions Dr. Klein. Only one-on-one contact experience will be the defining factor.
Therefore, its important to physically interact with your chosen breed before you acquire apuppy or an adult dog. Only by petting and being near a given breed can you determine how much you will react, if at all. In addition, you might have to try several different hypoallergenic dog breeds as you search for your match, as one breed may produce less of a reaction than another. Dr. Klein advises first narrowing down your choices, then having the allergic person spend time with a member of each breed on the list. He also suggests doing this at different times to see if there is any significant difference in the allergic response.
There may be one breed that stands out, according to Dr. Klein. Or possibly, none will make a difference.
How Can You Reduce Dog Allergens?
Regardless of the breed you choose, once you bring your dog home, there are steps you can take to lessen the severity of your allergy symptoms. Here are a few:
- First, allergy-proof your household. Pet allergens are tiny and lightweight, so they easily stick to curtains, furniture, carpets, and bedding. Minimize those surfaces in your home. For example, use blinds rather than curtains and have hardwood or linoleum floors rather than carpets.
- Second, keep surfaces clean. Dr. Klein suggests frequent vacuuming of your floors and furniture. Consider using a machine with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Also, launder any fabrics your dog comes in contact with, such as their bed, as often as you can. Keep your dog off the furniture and out of your bedroom. A home air filtration system designed to reduce allergens is also an option.
- Third, consider hygiene. Be sure to wash your hands after touching your dog to keep allergens off your skin. Its also important tokeep your dog groomed. Frequent bathing and grooming may reduce the amount of dander that accumulates. If possible, ask somebody else in the family to do the grooming, so you dont suffer a reaction. And consider having your dog brushed outside to minimize getting additional dander in your home. Alternatively, use the services of aprofessional groomer.
- Finally, there are many medications available to ease allergy symptoms like itchy eyes or a stuffy nose. Consult with your doctor about suitable treatments. It may also be helpful to see an allergist for immunotherapy, which is the use of allergy shots to build tolerance to dogs over time.
Even if you have an allergy, with the use of medical intervention and the above recommendations, a dog could still become a beloved new member of your household.
Experts Say This Is What You Should Do If Your Partner Is Allergic To Your Dog
Many people have two loves in their life: their pup and their human partner. But what are you supposed to do if your partner is allergic to your dog? Besides the super sad solution of getting rid of one cutie or the other, there are a couple of other tactics for making the relationship a little more comfortable on your human love, according to experts.
"What people are allergic to is the dander that sheds off of a pet's skin," Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT-KA, a certified professional dog trainer and founder of Fun Paw Care, tells Bustle. Even if you have a dog breed that's supposedly hypoallergenic, like a Poodle or a Shih Tzu, their bodies can cause an issue. "There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, as much as breeders want you to believe that," he says. "Hypoallergenic dogs simply have less dander, not no dander and also typically shed less." While having less dander and less shedding probably means a person who is allergic to dogs won't be affected as much as they would to a pup who is super furry, it doesn't completely eliminate the problem.
There might be some good news if you and your partner recently started your relationship, or if you just adopted your fur baby. "People have been known to grow immunities to their dogs and cats over time," Hartstein says. "Maybe it's love, maybe it's their immune system changing, maybe it's habituation, who knows." But if your partner's allergy is serious enough that you can't really wait around and see if their body adapts, there are other steps you can take.
"Treatment for dog allergies depends on the severity," Ruth MacPete, DVM, veterinarian and author of Lisette the Vet, tells Bustle. "If your partner has mild dog allergies there are things you can do to help improve their allergy symptoms," she says. For one thing, do your best to keep your home clean by sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping on a regular basis. This can help remove dog dander so that there's not as much in the environment to irritate your partner's allergy. Air filters can also be useful here, Dr. MacPete says, so consider investing in one that's HEPA-certified to filter allergens from the space.
If your partner does not live with you, keeping your dog out of your bedroom also has the potential to make a big difference, Dr. MacPete says. Since they'll spend a solid eight hours in the confined space if they sleep over, it's extra important that the bedroom is as dander-free as possible to ensure that they can still get a good night's sleep when they're at your place.
"I also recommend bathing your dog weekly with a moisturizing pet shampoo," Dr. MacPete says, "to decrease airborne dander." If steps like this don't seem to help, or just don't seem to help enough, then it might be time for your partner to talk with their doctor, she says. If they have severe dog allergies, allergy shots to address the issue might help make them more comfortable around your sweet pup.
No matter which solution ends up working best for your lifestyle and your partner's allergy situation, do your best to be patient. It may take a while to find out a routine that works, but it will be so worth it when your two favorite cuties are able to interact happily.
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