W e often hear from people who very much want a puppy in their life, but who sadly suffer from allergies to dogs. Although unfortunate, we are usually able to place a suitable puppy in their home who will not irritate their condition. It is very important that anyone suffering from doggy allergies meet puppies in order to gauge their reaction before making a commitment. We like to have allergy sufferers come for a visit(s) to handle the puppies a lot, as well as gently rubbing them against their face. Most people react within a few minutes. We also like to subject people to the all important ‘smothering by puppy kisses’ in order to see if the allergies will be bothered from saliva.
I t is a very common misconception that allergy sufferers are allergic to animal hair, but this not completely true. When people have allergies to pets, they are actually reacting to allergens that are secreted either by oil glands in the skin and shed with dander (dead skin cells) or allergens found in canine saliva.
D ogs who shed, release much more dander as their fur falls out, and therefore are more offensive to those with sensitivities. Allergy sufferers will generally try to seek out ‘hypo allergenic’ dogs as pets in order to prevent these problems. In all honesty, there are no breeds which are 100% safe for all allergy sufferers; however there are several kinds who have a very low risk of irritating those with sensitivities. Breeds which have HAIR, not fur, are the least offensive dogs. Fur sheds, but hair, as is the case with our human hair, does not typically shed. The less hair that falls out, the less dander is shed and the less allergens are released. The Maltese, Yorkshire and Poodle are a few examples of non shedding dogs.
Over the years, we have had an extremely high success rate in placing dogs with allergy sufferers. This is probably thanks largely to the fact that our dogs are either purebred, or are hybrids from purebred parents, so that we can be positive there are no other allergy irritating breeds mixed in. I cannot stress enough how important this is to those with allergies! We find that very few people who are allergic to dander react to our breeds. In fact, we have had only 2 families in over a decade who have had problems with dander allergies to one of our puppies.
With saliva allergies, we have found that it is more difficult to find a puppy who will not irritate these allergies. It is not unusual for even Yorkies to illicit an immune response from a saliva allergy sufferer. The good news about this particular allergy is that owners can actually build up immunity to their own dog’s saliva. They can also teach the puppy not to lick them. We have placed several puppies with saliva allergy sufferers and have learned that with a bit of time, everyone can live comfortably!
How can people who still suffer from pet allergies, even the non shedding ones, manage them enough to be able to keep a dog as a pet—and enjoy it? There are several things one can do that will help. Some are quite easy and some require a bit more of a time investment.
SOLUTIONS
Grooming:
F irst, keep yourself and your dog healthy, keeping in mind that fatigue and stress can weaken one's immune system, which in turn can aggravate allergies. Keeping your pooch well groomed is important to living allergy free. By making sure your dog is bathed and groomed often with a good quality shampoo, you will markedly decrease pet dander. You can also buy rub on products to apply to the skin to decrease dander release. If possible, it is a good idea to have someone other than the allergy sufferer themselves groom the pet. If the allergic person has no other options other than to groom the pet themselves, he/she should wear a dust-filtering mask and/or latex gloves. Be sure to wash hands as soon as you are finished before there's a chance of rubbing your face with the allergens on your hands. Combing/ brushing pets outside, or on a hard floor which can easily be cleaned is also a good idea. Mop, sweep and/or vacuum immediately afterwards - before allergens get a chance to spread through your home. Frequent brushing helps by distributing natural coat oil throughout the hair while also removes loose fur and skin flakes. And remember that times of excitement or stress will cause an increase in the amount of shedding, so brush the dog accordingly. Putting doggie sweaters/clothing on will also help to control the release of dander, reduce shedding, and protect the pet's skin from indoor and outdoor climate conditions. Remember to wash doggie clothes, as well as fabric collars often.
Y ou can also purchase special allergy wipes which are available online and at many pet supply stores so between baths you can rub down your pooch. Not only will this remove loose fur and dander, it will also decrease allergens picked up while your pet is playing outside.
Diet:
D ecreasing allergens by adding supplements to your pet’s diet is also very helpful. Putting Fish oil (omega fatty acids) supplements in your pet’s food will not only help to prevent dry flaky skin, it is beneficial to your pup’s overall health! A good quality food is also of utmost importance. Feeding a lower quality food or food that contains something the dog may be allergic to will lead to increased shedding and skin flaking. Avoid poor quality foods that contain large amounts of cheap fillers such as corn and wheat.
I f your pet does have skin problems, go see your vet! Conditions ranging anywhere from a treatable hormonal or thyroid problem to fleas will irritate your pet and increase dander. Whatever the problem, it needs to be treated, not only to decrease the allergens shed by your pet in the home, but also for the comfort of your pet!
Housekeeping:
C overing your mattress and pillows with a vinyl cover and changing all bedding at least once a week is a very good idea since allergen particles can easily be brought into the room on clothes and other objects.
If allergies are severe, you can also prohibit the dog from being in the bedroom at all, and thus creating an allergy free zone. Elsewhere in the home, keep pets off of other furniture where they leave behind proteins that act as allergens. Try to keep pets out of rooms with carpets and upholstered furniture, since it's harder to remove dander particles from fibers and fabrics. If Fido tends to sneak onto the couch when you're not home, cover it with a washable throw and remember to wash the throws frequently. (If possible, replace fabric upholstered furniture altogether with non-fabric alternatives.)
K eep in mind that carpets harbor large amounts of dust, dander, and other allergens, no matter how often you vacuum, so hardwood, vinyl, or linoleum floors are much better choices for allergy sufferers. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, periodic steam cleaning is highly recommended. You can also invest in a high-performance vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filtration system. Vacuum using HEPA/micro filters or double bags. Dispose of bags before they get overly full. Allergy sufferers should try to avoid handling vacuum bags. Operate the furnace or central air conditioning fan continuously for at least two hours after vacuuming.
E ven non-carpeted floors should be vacuumed, since sweeping can stir up dander and release it into the air. Vacuuming furniture, mattresses, and dog beds, as well as covering them with impermeable, washable covers, is also helpful. Wash pet bedding frequently in hot water. Detergent for sensitive skin is recommended.
D ust frequently using damp cloths, not the old fashioned dusters, to prevent the re-release of particles into the home environment. Clean areas where the pet sleeps, plays and eats twice a week. Lint rollers or pet hair tape are great at removing fur from clothes, bedding and draperies. Disposable dusting cloths and mitts that pick up fur using electrostatic attraction and static breaker devices that release the static charge that bonds pet fur to rugs and furnishings also work well.
W ash rubber, plastic and other hard-surfaced pet toys in the sink with mild soap and hot water to remove saliva or throw them in the dishwasher if possible. The more surfaces and materials in your home that are washable, the better. Remember to clean things such as curtains and throw rugs every couple of months. Avoid overstuffed furniture, dust-collecting blinds, and accessories that tend to attract dander and dust such as rough textured fabrics that hold allergens.
Ventilation:
K eeping your home well ventilated is also important in minimizing dog allergies but do not use ceiling fans, since they stir up dust, molds and dander. Air filters and air purifiers are an immense help to those with sensitivities. The many choices available today include ionic, electronic and HEPA filter models. These filters remove most airborne particles. Be sure to invest some time into researching and purchasing the right model, considering the size of the room which the air filtration unit will be located, the amount of times per hour the air will be completely cycled, and the size of the particles the system will handle. Remember to change the filters frequently. You may want to use one in the allergic person's bedroom and another, larger unit for the main living area in the home.
Y ou can also purchase filters to place on air ducts. Use the best quality that you can, such as pleated electrostatic types that need to be changed monthly or the permanent, washable electrostatic models that are even more effective.
GIVING UP YOUR PET?
P lease keep in mind that that the easiest advice that doctors can give is the generic, age-old recommendation to "get rid of pets." However, even when it's certain that a person is allergic to dog or cat dander, saliva and urine, it's wrong to assume that eliminating an animal will free the person from future symptoms. Clearly, it's important to be aware of all of the individual's allergy triggers and take steps to minimize exposure. All measures should be exhausted before deciding to give up a family pet. Many families have described the heart breaking experience of giving up a pet on the whim of a physician, only to find out that the family member still experiences allergic reactions. They wish they had first tried other measures to manage the family member's allergy.
R emember that pet dander is present in nearly all homes in North America-- including those without any animals. Researchers have found that dog allergen levels were higher among households belonging to demographic groups in which dog ownership was more prevalent, regardless of whether or not the household had a pet. Dog allergens are found in most public places including taxis, benches, movie theatres, schools, offices and waiting rooms in hospitals (and allergists' offices!) Therefore, they are easily transported back to the home on clothing and shoes. The researchers speculated that the community, particularly where dog ownership is high, may be a primary source of these pet allergens. For pet-allergic patients in such communities, allergen avoidance may be difficult.
W hile there are some situations in which the allergic person suffers such severe symptoms that rehoming the pet is among the steps necessary, in more cases, the allergy sufferer and pet can coexist comfortably in the same household by taking sensible, practical measures. Sometimes, immunity can be built up over time. Successful management combines good hygiene, diligent cleaning, air quality management, sensible pet handling, and prudent use of safe, effective medications.
I t is important to find an allergy specialist who actually understands your commitment to living with your pet. A non pet owner will probably not understand the bond we share with our animals. Keep in mind that giving up a pet without making a committed effort to first try other measures teaches children that pets are disposable. If the child shared a bond with the animal, giving up the family pet will likely be a very heart breaking, traumatic event.
RESEARCH
R esearch has shown us that having animals in the home with children actually decreases the likeliness of these children developing allergies.
W When kids play with cats and dogs, the licks they receive transfer enough Gram-negative bacteria to change the way the child's immune system responds.
S tudies show that 10 to 15% of the population is allergic to companion animals. Even so, the National Institutes of Health estimates that 25% of people with allergy related health problems keep pets in their home. In a study of adults who were allergic to cats or dogs and had been advised by their physicians to give up their pets, only one out of five did. Furthermore, most of them obtained another pet after a previous one had died.
E vidently, many people believe the benefits of pet companionship outweigh the hardships of pet allergies! If you are an allergy sufferer and a dog lover, it is possible for you to own a dog and not be in constant allergy-related misery. A ‘hypo allergenic’ breed certainly increases the odds that you will be able to live problem free, although it is of utmost importance that adopting a puppy is a very well planned and thought out event. These measures should help to ensure that just about any allergy sufferer can be given the opportunity to share his or her life with a canine companion. And I am sure we all agree it is well worth the effort!
