{"id":6007,"date":"2016-12-07T22:02:01","date_gmt":"2016-12-07T22:02:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hartz-v2.local7\/dealing-with-allergies-to-cats-and-dogs-2\/"},"modified":"2023-02-24T15:24:44","modified_gmt":"2023-02-24T15:24:44","slug":"dealing-with-allergies-to-cats-and-dogs-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hartz.com\/en-ca\/dealing-with-allergies-to-cats-and-dogs-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Dealing With Allergies to Cats and Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you or your partner suffers from cat or dog allergies, it can make owning one very difficult.<\/h2>\n

Around fifteen percent of the United States population suffers from dog or cat allergies, so there\u2019s a decent chance that someone in your family is allergic. This could present a huge problem if you want to add to the family in the form of a feline or canine companion. Allergies range greatly in severity, and affect everyone slightly differently. If someone in your family has very severe allergies to cats or dogs, it would be unwise for you to get one. If the allergies are milder, it is possible to live with a furry friend, but you should know what you\u2019re dealing with first.
\nCauses<\/strong>
\nPet allergies are most often caused by the dander, or dead skin that the pet sheds. People can also be allergic to the saliva or urine of a cat or dog, though these allergies are easier to deal with. Contrary to what many people believe, cat or dog hair is not typically an allergen. However, hair often carries dander and other allergens such as dust or pollen, which often makes dogs that shed lots of hair harder to deal with. Dander allergens are extremely small and will float through the air and land on furniture without anyone in your family being able to see it.<\/p>\n

If you are allergic to dogs or cats, any dog or cat will trigger your allergies. Some people, however, will be more or less allergic to specific types or species of dog or cat. Additionally, some species of dog are believed to be less allergenic in general than others. While this is not entirely true, and no dog is non-allergenic, some dogs have been known to be easier on allergies. These include dogs with non-shedding hair, like the poodle, smaller dogs, and short-haired dogs.
\nSymptoms<\/strong>
\nThe symptoms of dog and cat allergies are similar to those of many other types of allergies. Contact with the pet will cause runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, general cold-like symptoms and potentially itchy skin or rashes. The symptoms are most severe when in contact with the animal, but may last for awhile after.
\nGetting Help<\/strong>
\nThere are many things you can do if you or someone in your family suffers from cat or dog allergies, but you still want to own one.<\/p>\n