You may be wondering if you have a dog allergy if you have been
around dogs lately and have noticed that you have a stuffy nose, having
difficulty breathing or just aren’t feeling quite right. But what
are dog allergies, and what causes them? Believe it or not, a lot of
the common information available for people who have an allergy to dogs
is just not accurate. Many of them are only slightly incorrect, but
there are some that are just myths. We’ll go through what causes dog
allergies, how to help control them, and (just in case) what causes
allergic reactions in dogs.
So what does cause all of your suffering?
I know what you’re thinking: These problems are caused by dog hair and dander, right? While that is true, it is not the most common cause of an allergy to dogs. The most common cause for most people is actually enzymes in the dog’s saliva, which is obviously put on you whenever the dog licks you. Also, if the dog licks themselves then the enzyme can get on their fur, which is then transferred to you any time that you pet them! The best way to combat having an allergy to dogs is this is to bathe your dog often and try to prevent them from licking you or salivating on you, though it can be difficult.
Though dog saliva is the most common cause, dog fur and dander can also cause an allergy to dogs . These can especially cause nasal and congestion problems because the dander can get lodged in your nasal passages, leading to cold-like symptoms. Like saliva, there are things that you get do to help combat the allergy to dogs that you are contending with from dog fur and dander. First, try to brush the dog outside frequently (especially if they shed a lot). Also make sure that you are bathing the dog at least once a month to help keep their fur as clean as possible. Lastly, make sure that the filter for your heating/cooling system is a HEPA filter and that your vacuum cleaner has a HEPA bag. This will go a long way in ensuring that very little dander gets in the air.
It is also important to keep in mind that some breeds are worse than others for causing an allergy to dogs. For example, poodles actually have hair, not fur; so they don’t shed or have that much dander. Bichon-frises work the same way, as do most Italian Greyhounds. Just shop around a little bit if your allergies are severe, it can make life much easier.
If you really want to own a dog there is a way to have one that you can enjoy for years, if you don’t already have one. If you do there are ways to manage your allergies whether naturally or medically. Just talk to your doctor and see what the options are.
So what does cause all of your suffering?I know what you’re thinking: These problems are caused by dog hair and dander, right? While that is true, it is not the most common cause of an allergy to dogs. The most common cause for most people is actually enzymes in the dog’s saliva, which is obviously put on you whenever the dog licks you. Also, if the dog licks themselves then the enzyme can get on their fur, which is then transferred to you any time that you pet them! The best way to combat having an allergy to dogs is this is to bathe your dog often and try to prevent them from licking you or salivating on you, though it can be difficult.
Though dog saliva is the most common cause, dog fur and dander can also cause an allergy to dogs . These can especially cause nasal and congestion problems because the dander can get lodged in your nasal passages, leading to cold-like symptoms. Like saliva, there are things that you get do to help combat the allergy to dogs that you are contending with from dog fur and dander. First, try to brush the dog outside frequently (especially if they shed a lot). Also make sure that you are bathing the dog at least once a month to help keep their fur as clean as possible. Lastly, make sure that the filter for your heating/cooling system is a HEPA filter and that your vacuum cleaner has a HEPA bag. This will go a long way in ensuring that very little dander gets in the air.
It is also important to keep in mind that some breeds are worse than others for causing an allergy to dogs. For example, poodles actually have hair, not fur; so they don’t shed or have that much dander. Bichon-frises work the same way, as do most Italian Greyhounds. Just shop around a little bit if your allergies are severe, it can make life much easier.
If you really want to own a dog there is a way to have one that you can enjoy for years, if you don’t already have one. If you do there are ways to manage your allergies whether naturally or medically. Just talk to your doctor and see what the options are.