Mara when we first took her in - this isn't actually an allergy - but she is definitely familiar with your discomfort! Luckily we managed to fix her eye issue with antibiotics, it's all better now!If you are allergic to animals, you are in good company! Me too!
One of the most common reasons for giving up an animal is allergies. It's a really tough situation when an animal you love dearly makes your life uncomfortable. However, it's an even tougher situation for an animal when she loses her home and family - and even if she gets a new home and family she'll be competing with other animals and 5 million per year won't find a new home.
So what can you do?
Thankfully pet allergies are not deadly. They are caused by a completely different mechanism in the body than more dangerous allergies (such as nuts, milk and shelfish.) This means that that they can be safely managed. Here are some management strategies you should try:
- Patience - everyone is different - but many (in my experience most) people find their allergies dissipate as they get used to their animal. Unfortunately, sometimes the opposite can be true as well.
- Have someone who isn't allergic brush your animal weekly. If that's impossible get a mask and brush yourself.
- Keep the litter box in a remote location and keep it cleaned frequently.
- Look into whether grooming wipes or frequent baths are appropriate for your animal.
- Allerpet or simillar products may also help reduce symptoms.
- Wash your hands and face frequently. In that order!
- Vacuum furniture and rugs frequently and sweep.
- Clean your heaters! Often hot water heaters (or even heating vents) become traps for dander - and then when they get hot air circulates blowing the dander everywhere. You may also consider closing off ducts which open in your bedroom.
- Dust. A large portion of household dust is actually dander - both from humans and animals.
- Change the food you are feeding. No real research has been done on this - but it is known that animals often have skin problems when they have sensitivities to their food. Plenty of former allergy sufferers swear that changing their dog or cats food solved everything, and there is some logic behind it. Common allergens include seafood, eggs, grains (especially wheat and corn) and soy. Some people believe raw diets are best, and others say that increasing the fats in the food helps keep skin and coat healthier. Fatty acid supplements may help too.
- If your cat is an un-altered male, neutering may make you less allergic to him
- Keep your pillows covered, and make sure your animal has a space of his or her own to sleep during the day. That means when you aren't interacting with her she'll shed somewhere else. You should keep your pet out of your bedroom as much as possible.
- Open the windows!
- Invest in a good HEPA air filter. Be sure to read reviews online - many air filters are just fancy looking fans! Air conditioners may also clean the air a little.
- Talk to your doctor about medications that may help alleviate symptoms. Your doctor may suggest other strategies too.
- Foster before you commit to an animal - that way you'll know what to expect!
Allergies are immune responses. Your immune system is dynamic "learning" from the environment. This means that your sensitivity is likely to change overtime. Sometimes this is bad - people develop allergies only after they are exposed to the allergen. Sometimes allergies may worsen with exposure. However, your body is smart - and often your body gets it right! If you are constantly exposed to the allergen your body will often adapt to it overtime. Both of our allergic board members have experienced this - our cat allergies all but disappear when we spend enough time with each individual cat. Everyone is different, but we've found this to be true of most people. You shouldn't assume that will happen when you adopt an animal - but there is an excellent chance it will! In fact this is the logic behind allergy shots - some doctors will actually inject you with the allergen so your body adapts! For this reason many people who suffer animal allergies adapt overtime so that they no longer suffer.
Prevention
If you are considering adopting an animal but are afraid your allergies might get in the way there are some ways to prepare. Not all animals are made equal when it comes to itchy eyes. When it comes to cats: Males are more likely to cause allergies than females, and un-neutered males most of all. Consider fostering first - that way if allergies get in the way you've still done a good thing!
Dogs breed matters as well. While no dogs are completely free of allergens - some may not shed common allergens or shed less of them. Common breeds less likely to cause problems are: Greyhounds, poodles, portugese water dogs and many others.
Not only can breed and gender matter - but potential to cause allergies in humans varies between individuals. We recommend fostering first if you are not sure, that way if you decide your allergies are too bad you've still done a wonderful thing!
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