Why am I allergic to dogs but not my dog
Fur Facts. Why am I allergic to cats but not dogs?
Hot summer months as well as wintery weather can mean more time spent indoors avoiding the sun or cold for both people and pets. For allergy sufferers, that may mean an increase in symptoms. Even if you aren't directly allergic to your cat or dog, they act like furry dust mops that trap and hold allergens like pollen and dust that do set you off.
Why Am I Allergic To My Pets?
About 2 percent of the US population is allergic to cats themselves. About one-third of cat-allergic folks love kitties so much, they're willing to put up with the sniffles. Allergy symptoms include itchy eyes, coughing, wheezing and/or hives.
People can also be allergic to dogs, and the symptoms are similar. In addition, some folks become sensitized to dog saliva, so canine kisses can leave the person with an itchy rash or even hives. In the most severe cases, cat or dog allergies can make asthmatic people suffer dangerous asthmatic episodes, so pet allergies are nothing to sneeze at.
Why Am I Allergic to Cats but Not Dogs?
Cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. So if you react to cats, you may not have a problem with dogs at all. It doesn't really matter if your dog or cat has long or short fur, or differences in breed. There are some individual differences even among dogs or cats of the same breed. Here's why.
Sensitive people don't react to the pet hair at all. Instead, a specialized protein produced by dogs and cats causes the reaction. It's found primarily in the skin dander, but secondarily in the saliva and urine. In cats, this protein is designated Fel d1 (Felis domesticus). A similar protein, Can f1 (Canis familiaris) is produced in dogs. Any pet may provoke an allergic reaction--there's no such thing as a "hypoallergenic" pet, despite marketing claims you may hear.
That said, many allergic people appear more able to tolerate the Siberian cat breed because these kitties produce much less of the Fel D1 protein. You may also be able to tolerate individual pets, but not others--who knows why--and hopefully that's one of your own fur-babies.
You're more likely to react to cat dander because Fel d1 is one of the smallest, stickiest allergen molecule. It measures only 1/10th the size of a dust allergen. That allows the cat's Fel d1 protein to float around the air much longer than other allergens, making them more readily available to inhale and thus cause a reaction.
Also, people with allergies may already be more sensitive to other allergens, so the dust in cat litter may add to your cat-centric allergy attacks. While it's miserable to suffer allergies, many pet lovers don't want to give up their pets. Of course, your own physician can guide you about human health concerns. But there are steps pet owners can take to feel better, without having to give up their special cat or dog.
6 Ways To Reduce Pet Allergy Symptoms
Create a "pet free zone" such as the bedroom, and make it off limits to the cat or dog. That gives you eight or more hours a day of reduced exposure.
Brush and/or comb your pets thoroughly to get rid of hair otherwise shed in the house. Have a non-allergic family member take care of this duty.
Cat people may react more to the dusty perfume-y litter than to the cat. This is a great excuse to have one of the kids take on pet potty cleaning duties, so the allergy sufferers avoid exposure. An automatic cat litter box may also help cut down on dust exposure.
Washing the pet weekly in plain water dramatically reduces allergic reactions by rinsing away the dander. If like my dog Magic, your dog may welcome a dowsing with the hose to cool off in this hot weather. Should your pet also be plagued with allergy (itchy-scratchy symptoms), rinsing off allergens trapped in the fur can relieve pet symptoms.
For cats, simply take a wet wash cloth and wipe down the fur every day. Avoiding the cat's face will help prevent the kitty from taking offense.
Also, if you are allergic to pets it's likely you're also reactive to other allergens. Simply reducing the "dust load" or other issues can help drop you below your sneeze-threshold, and make it more likely you can tolerate your pets. Invest in a HEPA filter or vacuum that helps capture allergens, for example, and reduce the wooly blankets, carpeted areas and pet beds that collect and hold dust.
After all, getting rid of our furry companions isn't something I can easily recommend. Purchasing extra allergy medicine may be an easy trade off to keeping your cats and dogs.
3 Reasons Why You Are Allergic to Your Dog All a Sudden
3 Reasons Why You Are Allergic to Your Dog All a Sudden
For pet owners, it can be one of their worst nightmares when they develop an allergic reaction to their dog all a sudden. Here are three common reasons that may explain why this is happening.
Being Certain if it is Your Dog
First, you should check if the allergic reaction is really due to your dog. We humans can be allergic to all kinds of things so there is always a possibility that your symptoms are triggered by something else. It could, for example, could be caused by mold that has recently formed in the house.
The allergic reaction might also be due to something thats being transported home via your dogs coat. In the spring and summer, pollen might get trapped in the dogs fur and get released when you get back home. It would be worthwhile doing a close examination of your home to see if theres anything new that may have caused the allergy.
Development of Allergies
Unfortunately, allergies can develop anytime during a persons life. Allergies are unpredictable and there isnt a way of knowing how long they last.
For households with dogs, one might suddenly develop allergies to things like a dogs dander, urine, or saliva. For mild cases, it might be possible to manage this by grooming your dog regularly and getting a device such as a HEPA air purifier. For more severe cases, a cruel but necessary conversation might be required to see if it possible for you and your dog to live in the same space.
Check it isnt Something Else
In addition to making sure that the allergy is not caused by something else, you should make sure that the allergy symptoms are also not caused by other forms of sickness.
Stories from Pet Owners
Here are a few stories from fellow pet owners who also experienced sudden allergy issues with their dogs.
Story #1 Severe Allergies to My Two Dogs
Ive never had any allergy to dogs until recently. I read that allergies can randomly develop in adulthood. You could go your whole life without being allergic to anything and suddenly you wake up and find that you are allergic to that one thing. Unfortunately, my worst nightmare came true and I am now seemingly allergic to my two lovely dogs. I am specifically allergic to the dander. My eyes become itchy and starts to swell shut as soon as the allergy symptoms kick in. Ive tried most of the major allergy pills in the market with no effect.
Story #2 Sudden Allergy to Dog Dander
I have always had moderate hay fever issues but never allergies. I have a Lhasa Apso and she is turning one year old this week. Ive had zero allergy issues with her the past year. Recently, Ive noticed that I am somewhat wheezy and sneezy. My throat and sinus also feel congested. I think I am allergic to her dander. My face feels very itchy when I rub my face against her coat.
Story #3 Allergic to My Pup
We brought home a beautiful English Cocker Spaniel three months ago and everything was great until yesterday. Ive suddenly developed severe allergic symptoms and this tends to happen when my puppy comes near me. Ive had two family dogs before and never had allergic issues with them despite being around them for their whole life. Has anyone experienced something similar? I feel quite down given it hasnt been that long since I brought my puppy home. I am hoping this is temporary and my allergy symptoms will disappear at some point.
Disclaimer: The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a veterinarian when in doubt.
Published:
01/29/2023by
My Pet Child Team|
Dog HealthDog Allergies
Am I allergic to my dog?
A dog is mans best friend that is, unless the man is allergic to his dog.
Pet allergies are common in the United States. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 15 to 30 percent of all Americans are affected. Although allergies to cats are about twice as common, allergic reactions to dogs tend to be more severe. This is especially the case in those with asthma.
Keep reading to learn about lifestyle changes and medications that can help treat dog allergies.
Dogs secrete proteins that end up in their dander (dead skin), saliva, and urine. An allergic reaction occurs when a sensitive persons immune system reacts abnormally to the usually harmless proteins. Different breeds produce different dander, so its possible to be more allergic to some dogs than others.
The allergen eventually finds its way into the animals fur. From there, it collects in carpets, on clothing, on walls, and between couch cushions. The pet hair itself is not an allergen, but the hair can hold dust and dander.
Pet dander can remain airborne for long periods of time as well. It can eventually find its way into your eyes or lungs.
The symptoms of a dog allergy may range from mild to severe. Symptoms may not appear for several days after exposure in people with low sensitivity.
Some clues you may be allergic to dogs include:
- swelling and itching in the membranes of the nose or around the eyes
- redness of the skin after being licked by a dog
- coughing, shortness of breath, or wheezing within 15 to 30 minutes of exposure to allergens
- rash on the face, neck, or chest
- a severe asthma attack (in someone with asthma)
Children with dog allergies will often develop eczema in addition to the above symptoms. Eczema is a painful inflammation of the skin.
People used to believe that exposing a newborn to the family dog could cause a child to develop a pet allergy. Thankfully for dog owners, the opposite appears to be true. Several studies in the past few years including one published in the
The only surefire way to get rid of a pet allergy is to remove the pet from your home. There are, however, ways to minimize your exposure to allergens and lessen your symptoms if you dont want to part with Fluffy.
Medications
Here are some medications and treatments that can help you manage allergies and asthma:
- Antihistamines are over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as Benadryl, Claritin, Allegra, and Clarinex OTC that can help relieve itching, sneezing, and runny nose.
- Nasal corticosteroids such as Flonase (now available over the counter) or Nasonex may reduce inflammation and control symptoms.
- Cromolyn sodium is an OTC nasal spray that may help reduce symptoms, especially if its used before they develop.
- Decongestants make it easier to breathe by shrinking swollen tissues in the nasal passage. These are available in oral form or as a nasal spray.
- Allergy shots (immunotherapy) expose you to the animal protein (allergen) thats causing the reaction and help your body become less sensitive, reducing symptoms. Shots are given by an allergist and are often used in more severe cases for long-term treatment.
- Leukotriene modifiers are prescription medications that may be recommended if you cant tolerate nasal antihistamines or corticosteroids. Due to
the risk of severe behavioral and mood changes , montelukast (Singulair) will only be used if there arent any suitable alternatives.
Natural remedies
Some people with dog allergies may find that a saline (salt water) rinse daily to clear nasal passages of allergens can help. A nasal lavage can control symptoms such as congestion and postnasal drip.
OTC saline sprays and nasal lavage kits are readily available. You can also make your own by mixing 1/8 teaspoon of table salt with distilled water.
Lifestyle changes
There are several things dog owners can do around the home to reduce allergens. They include:
- setting up dog-free zones (certain rooms, such as a bedroom, where the dog is not allowed)
- bathing the dog weekly using a pet-friendly shampoo (done by a non-allergic person)
- removing carpeting, upholstered furniture, horizontal blinds, curtains, and any other items that may attract dander
- using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers to reduce airborne allergens in the home
- keeping the dog outside (only in certain climates in a well-contained area and under humane conditions)
- looking into hypoallergenic dog breeds
- using a trial period when introducing a new pet to the family to assess family members reactions to the new dog
Many of the lifestyle changes and allergy medications listed above can help you to reduce uncomfortable symptoms if you love dogs and dont want to give up being around them.
An allergist can perform tests and tell you how severe your dog allergy is and what types of treatments can help. Talk to your doctor about your allergy and your treatment options.
