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Pet Allergy Relief

People can have allergies to almost anything, but the most common are animal allergies, specifically those related to cats and dogs. A common misconception is that the hair of a cat or dog causes the allergy, but the problem is actually caused from the shedding of the skin cells on the animal. There is a particular protein found in the root of cat and dog hair that has the potential to produce allergies when it's shed from the body.

  1. Alleviate Allergies

    • The Allergy Relief Learning Center reports that there are things that people with pet allergies can do to alleviate the symptoms. For example, pet owners can remove carpet and area rugs, install an allergy-free air filter and buy a highly efficient vacuum cleaner. To further reduce allergies, owners can keep animals off of furniture. Some people designate their bedroom a pet-free zone and will not allow their cat or dog into the room at all. An individual should also bathe their pet weekly to remove allergens from the pet's hair.

      Surprisingly, having pet allergies has not stopped millions of people from acquiring pets. According to the Humane Society, an estimated 1/3 of people who are allergic to cats live with at least one cat. Fortunately, pet allergies can be controlled.

    Pet Allergies and Airlines

    • Pet allergies are such a concern that some commercial airlines have banished pets from cabins because they were afraid that fellow passengers would have allergic reactions. People that suffer from respiratory diseases and allergies are advised to check with their airline to ensure the cabin is pet-free.

    Animals and Allergies

    • It isn't just people who suffer from allergens. Pets suffer too. Feline and canine allergies are actually quite common. Dogs and cats can be hypersensitive to allergens like mold, dust, and pollen. However, allergies in pets manifest themselves in different ways than what would be seen in a human. For example, a dog suffering from allergies will often scratch profusely. The main symptom of allergens in a pet is licking, chewing and biting the skin to the point of hair loss. Owners can confuse this with a skin disease or parasites when the real problem is allergies. There are things pet owners can do to alleviate the symptoms such as steroid injections, medications and shampoo.

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