The cats really work - hypoallergenic pets
Original post by Wego Health Community Leader DanW:
I know a lot of people with pet allergies really wish they could have a cat or dog. Apparently some people really want one. I’ve seen some things recently about the Allerca GD cat, which the company claims is bred to be hypoallergenic, and which they’re selling for approximately $7,000. This article in the Boston Globe interviews one satisfied customer and explain that many geneticists and allergists are highly doubtful of Allerca’s claims.
Incidentally, I found another article which is a bit more glowing in its enthusiasm for the “hypoallergenic cats.” The article, which is supposed to look like a news story, but which clearly is not, quotes an unnamed customer as saying, among other things, “I was a little skeptical that an ALLERCA cat would be right for me… All I can say now is that the ALLERCA cats really work!” (the emphasis is mine). I highly recommend the article simply because it’s hilarious. The testimonial in particular looks like the company just took a basic infomercial script for, say, a cleaning product, and inserted “ALLERCA cat” in place of another product name.
Dubious hypoallergenic cats aside, it is often claimed that some dog or cat breeds are less likely to trigger allergies than others. For cats, the Siberian, Sphynx, Devon Rex, and Cornish Rex are often cited as being hypoallergenic or at least less allergenic. For dogs, this Article presents a number of breeds that are generally more hypoallergenic than others, including Poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs, Yorkshire Terriers, and several others. It also emphasizes, however, that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, and that you simply must “try out” a pet first to see if you can live with it. Even this isn’t a perfect solution, as allergies to specific pets sometimes emerge over time, but it’s a good start.
I personally have had good luck with Poodles and similar curly-haired mixed-breed dogs, and I seem to be OK around Yorkies most of the time, but not all the time. Cats, regardless of type, seem to trigger an allergic reaction, though. Has anyone else here with pet allergies had any luck keeping a pet or not reacting to certain breeds? It’s an interesting topic, I think, because I’m really a pet lover (like a lot of other people with pet allergies), but I’m not going to spend $7,000 on a cat, regardless of whether it “works.”
Response from PaulaWKY:
I highly recommend the article simply because it’s hilarious. The testimonial in particular looks like the company just took a basic infomercial script for, say, a cleaning product, and inserted “ALLERCA cat” in place of another product name.
Dan you had me laughing out loud at that one.
It’s an interesting topic, I think, because I’m really a pet lover (like a lot of other people with pet allergies), but I’m not going to spend $7,000 on a cat, regardless of whether it “works.”
I couldn’t agree more. I am a huge animal lover so I would have a really hard time with not being able to have animals but $7000 (wow). I’m more of a “rescue from an animal shelter” type. Almost all of mine came from shelters and they typically require you to have one on one time with any animal you adopt. That could be a good time for you to check out an allergy reactions. Also, with adopted animals you are allowed to take them back if there are issues. So if your allergies became an issue later you could always return the dog (though that would be hard to do for some and some people would be adamantly against it). It is a suggestion though
Response from Kori:
wow, $7000. it better got and pic up my meds for the rest of my allgeries too, and throw in a back rub for good measure.
For me, it all depends on the cats and dogs. For cats, for the most part, anything long haired is going to kill me. Though I’ve met a few exceptions. For dogs, labs, pit bulls, and anything with long hair, do me in. Other than that I have to take it on a case, by case moment.
Response from Ellen_CM:
We actually breed a rare dog that is non-shedding and purported to be “hypo-allergenic”.
As a Vet assistant, retired dog and horse breeder, and mom of a child with life-threatening allergies, I think adding the following caveat is important:
Most (but not all) people area allergic to the saliva of the animal. Some people may figure this out themselves, but most do not make the connection because they will begin to have an allergic reaction upon entering the room a cat has occupied. How can this be?
Saliva of any animal contains proteins and it’s usually these proteins that we’re allergic to. When a cat, who is a fanatical groomer just because he’s a cat, cleans his fur, he deposits the protein/antigen rich saliva on the fur and when it dries the protein antigen (which is very tiny and lightweight) can become easily airborne or aerosolized. You walk into the room, breathe in the airborne antigens and *Poof!* you’re wheezing and itching like the cat just crawled all over you.
Why are some people “more allergic” to cats than dogs? Cats groom themselves multiple times each day. Cats are so fanatical about their grooming processes that when a vet sees a chronically ill cat and an owner that’s wondering how they will know when it will be time to euthanize the animal, the vet will tell the owner to watch the cat’s grooming habits, as that will tell you how the cat is feeling. A cat may nearly completely stop eating and drinking, but he will rarely stop grooming unless he is in a serious state.
I digress… Cats groom themselves so often that they are putting more of the offending protein onto their coats and therefore into the air. A long haired cat is going to have twice the hair to hold antigen as a short-haired cat. The air of the room containing a cat is going to have an antigen concentration in the air that is many times more than the same size room containing a much larger dog. Relatively hairless dogs and cats have come into some fashion because they will carry less of the protein (no fur to clean) for you to have a reaction to.
The point is, there are ways around these allergies for many people and it’s actually quite simple.
Bathe your animal regularly.
When you bathe the animal you remove the protein antigen and therefore the offending part of the cat. There really is no need to “throw the cat out with the bathwater”. Some people are successful simply spraying their cats down with water or even wiping them down with a damp rag each day and bathing them infrequently. Those with more severe allergies (or a cat that is more fanatical about grooming such as a long-hair) may find that dunking your cat in a little warm water daily is enough to take care of the issue. While “dunking your cat” may sound like a severe and possibly dangerous thing to do it is actually quite easy, and some cats find they even enjoy it if it’s done correctly. The same follows for bathing (or rinsing) your cat. I always bathe our cats before feeding them, so they look forward to the baths as part of something pleasant. We also began by bathing them when they were kittens which helps, but is not absolutely necessary.
The same is true for dogs and horses. Dogs aren’t as fanatical about grooming so usually are less of a problem. We think about bathing dogs usually much before we would consider bathing a cat, yet dogs need baths in an allergy situation, far less than a cat. Dogs are also often outdoors and cats are more frequently kept indoors. Cats are also more likely to be on your bed depositing offending antigens where you sleep.
Horses do not “groom” themselves, so are even less of a culprit than dogs and cats. Horses do use their mouths to scratch an occasional itch, and have a behavior called “mutual grooming” that they will do with another horse. The purpose of mutual grooming is “I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine.” As a result, saliva is more liberally deposited in multiple areas of the horse’s coat. This is especially a problem during fly season as the flies are a constant battle for a horse that has not been sprayed with fly spray to keep them at bay. Bathing once every couple of weeks is usually sufficient for horses, but as an owner you will have to decide if that is enough for your horse and your allergies. Be aware also, that as an outside dwelling animal, and an animal that eats forages (plants) there will be pollens that also accumulate on their coat no matter the season.
Don’t forget also, that all animals kept outside will have pollen and other possible offending antigens throughout their coats. You may think that you’re allergic to your dog, when in fact you’re allergic to the tree pollen and grass pollen he carries in his coat (and has deposited throughout your home) from his outside adventures. Devoted dog owners have learned that you can litter box train a dog quite easily, which eliminates the need for outside jaunts except for possible exercise. Small dogs are perfect for these people as their need for outside exercise is negligible. Most are usually “self-exercising”.
Not sure if this will work? Borrow a pet from a friend for a while as you try out methods of dealing with the offending antigens. Just make sure he’s bathed before bringing him into your home so you’re starting relatively clean.
Care should be taken when removing an animal from the household, or in holding back from the immense pleasure of being a pet owner. There are many ways around the situation for most people and with a little diligence they can have the measurable and research backed benefits of coming home to a wagging tail at night after work, or sitting on the couch after a hard day listening to the soft purrs of a warm cat on your lap. To an animal lover, few things are as pleasurable or stress relieving as the companionship of a loyal pet.
Response DanW:
Ellen_WEGO_Health - 27 August 2007 09:18 AM
We actually breed a rare dog that is non-shedding and purported to be “hypo-allergenic”.
Hi, Ellen. Just out of curiosity, what breed is it? Have you found that it “works” for most people?
Ellen_WEGO_Health - 27 August 2007 09:18 AM
Most (but not all) people area allergic to the saliva of the animal. Some people may figure this out themselves…
I’ve been allergic to cats for as long as I can remember, but I only figured this out when my family got a new kitten who loved to lick people. He especially liked to lick the back of my neck, and would do that whenever he could, which of course was only when I was asleep. It would wake me up, but my whole neck would be instantly covered in hives. Vicious stuff for such a cute little kitten.
Ellen_WEGO_Health - 27 August 2007 09:18 AM
Relatively hairless dogs and cats have come into some fashion because they will carry less of the protein (no fur to clean) for you to have a reaction to.
My understanding is that most people with cat or dog allergies are also allergic to the dander from the cat or dog’s skin—not just the saliva. So short-haired or sparsely-haired cats and dogs aren’t necessarily a good bet for most people. I know I haven’t had any better luck with short-haired cats than with long-haired cats. As for dogs, I’m just the opposite of Kori. I usually do better with long-haired dogs because a lot of the short-haired ones tend to shed more. Even though most people aren’t necessarily allergic to the fur, the fur carries saliva and dander on it, and if it’s deposited everywhere it can be an allergy nightmare.
Thanks so much for your helpful tips. I know of at least one person who was almost forced to give up her cat but ended up being able to manage her allergies by bathing it frequently and keeping it off furniture.
Response by Ellen_CM:
DanW - 27 August 2007 11:31 PM
Ellen_WEGO_Health - 27 August 2007 09:18 AM
We actually breed a rare dog that is non-shedding and purported to be “hypo-allergenic”.
Hi, Ellen. Just out of curiosity, what breed is it? Have you found that it “works” for most people?
Dan,
We have Havanese dogs, the clown of the dog world. They are a long-haired, non-shedding dog in the toy category. They usually weigh around 10 pounds and are extremely gregarious. It’s impossible to not smile when around these little guys, even if you’re not a dog person. I have not had anyone purchase a dog from us yet that did it because of their allergies so I can’t comment whether they are finding these little guys are helping, but others who breed them tell me that they have had amazing reports from those who have purchased them as “hypo-allergenic” pals.
Response by DanW:
Thanks Ellen. I found some pictures of Havanese dogs online. They’re adorable!
Response by drees:
My understanding is that most people with cat or dog allergies are also allergic to the dander from the cat or dog’s skin—not just the saliva. So short-haired or sparsely-haired cats and dogs aren’t necessarily a good bet for most people.
You’re right - the culprit proteins that cause your allergic reactions are in saliva, dander and urine. Certain breeds of dogs produce less dander, but after a while it will accumulate. With all of Ellen’s useful tips you can reduce the odds that the allergens will linger in your household.
Response by drees:
Kori D. - 25 August 2007 04:55 PM
wow, $7000. I better go and pick up my meds for the rest of my allgeries too, and throw in a back rub for good measure.
No kidding!
I looked up ALLERCA - supposedly, they’re breeding cats with a mutation in a gene that produces an allergy-causing protein. The theory is that the immune system no longer recognizes the protein as an allergen.
I wonder how long they’ve been breeding that line of kitties before they got the hypoallergenic ones.
Cute, but not $7,000-worth!
Response by Gisela81:
I have always, or was always I should say, highly allergic to cats and dogs. My doctors always insisted that I stay away from them of from houses where there were cats. I never liked cats because even petting one would cause hives all over, asthma symptoms and sneezing for days. Oddly enough though, I took in an 8 week old kitten to save it from someone setting it loose in the woods. I intended to find it a home. Well, she’s almost 5 years old now and even her kisses on my nose don’t cause a single symptom. After about a week or two of having her my allergies pretty much calmed down on their own until they didn’t bother me one bit. The only thing that bothers me is if I’ve been petting her for a while and then forget and touch my eyes. When that happens I have to use some allergy eye drops right away or the full blown symptoms will start. Other than that, she’s always in my lap and I have no problems. I’ve even taken to feeding strays with no problems. I’ve even found that having her has helped my asthma out a bit. In the sense that pets make us much calmer and asthma can easily triggered by emotional upsets or stress.
Of course I do take precautions to avoid my allergies being flared up by my cat. I vacuum frequently, more so for her allergies than mine (oddly enough we share some of the same allergies), she’s not allowed into my bedroom and sleeps in a spare bedroom where we also keep her litter box. I use dust-free litter and rug spray cleaner. She also gets regular baths with a no-water all natural chamomile foam and brushed daily which helps with dander. As well as having her on a high quality diet which again is more for her allergies but also helps with mine.
So are $7,000 cats a must have for those who want a pet? I don’t think they are. It’s been my experience that a regular cat and a lot of precautions do the trick.
Response by Kori:
Thanks for that great information Sela. I’ve come across similar things like this. I used to have a cat for 8 years and wasn’t allergic to him, but others make me really sick. I’ve found that it all depends on the cat and how you handle them in your life. You message is a good reminder to pet lovers like me that there are still pets out there for us.
Thanks!
Response by Gisela81:
Kori D. - 24 October 2007 07:19 PM
Thanks for that great information Sela.
I’m so glad you found it usefull to you Kori. You’re right, it’s a matter of how you handle the pet in your life and on the pet itself. In my case, my cat has allergies herself which requires upkeep that benefits my own allergies as well.
Response by Ria Wego Health:
Ellen_WEGO_Health - 27 August 2007 09:18 AM
We actually breed a rare dog that is non-shedding and purported to be “hypo-allergenic”.
As a Vet assistant, retired dog and horse breeder, and mom of a child with life-threatening allergies....
Ellen, great input. Our entire family is allergic to cats and (me, my husband and two kids) are allergic to cats and my husband and son are allergic to dogs. I used to be allergic to dogs too but we actually have two dogs, and it seems I’ve become de-sensitized to them.
But to your point about the saliva… it is obvious in our house that it is the saliva because my son is fine unless one of the dogs licks him. Then, he gets a big hive.
It is possible to minimize the allergic reactions by following the steps you described. We bathe and groom our dogs regularly and we also keep them out of the rooms we sleep in. They are not allowed on the kid’s floor of the house at all. We have hardwood floors in most areas. We try to keep my son from rolling around on the carpets that we do have.
There is also a dander remover product that you can buy from Nature’s Miracle, I think.
Two asides… 1) my in-laws bought a “hypoallergenic” dog, a Portuguese Waterdog and when we visit them, my husband and I BOTH get hay fever. Someone mentioned that it was a matter of being sensitized to a particular dog’s dander.
2) my dog has seasonal allergies too… we like to joke that he’s allergic to us!
I know a lot of people with pet allergies really wish they could have a cat or dog. Apparently some people really want one. I’ve seen some things recently about the Allerca GD cat, which the company claims is bred to be hypoallergenic, and which they’re selling for approximately $7,000. This article in the Boston Globe interviews one satisfied customer and explain that many geneticists and allergists are highly doubtful of Allerca’s claims.
Incidentally, I found another article which is a bit more glowing in its enthusiasm for the “hypoallergenic cats.” The article, which is supposed to look like a news story, but which clearly is not, quotes an unnamed customer as saying, among other things, “I was a little skeptical that an ALLERCA cat would be right for me… All I can say now is that the ALLERCA cats really work!” (the emphasis is mine). I highly recommend the article simply because it’s hilarious. The testimonial in particular looks like the company just took a basic infomercial script for, say, a cleaning product, and inserted “ALLERCA cat” in place of another product name.
Dubious hypoallergenic cats aside, it is often claimed that some dog or cat breeds are less likely to trigger allergies than others. For cats, the Siberian, Sphynx, Devon Rex, and Cornish Rex are often cited as being hypoallergenic or at least less allergenic. For dogs, this Article presents a number of breeds that are generally more hypoallergenic than others, including Poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs, Yorkshire Terriers, and several others. It also emphasizes, however, that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, and that you simply must “try out” a pet first to see if you can live with it. Even this isn’t a perfect solution, as allergies to specific pets sometimes emerge over time, but it’s a good start.
I personally have had good luck with Poodles and similar curly-haired mixed-breed dogs, and I seem to be OK around Yorkies most of the time, but not all the time. Cats, regardless of type, seem to trigger an allergic reaction, though. Has anyone else here with pet allergies had any luck keeping a pet or not reacting to certain breeds? It’s an interesting topic, I think, because I’m really a pet lover (like a lot of other people with pet allergies), but I’m not going to spend $7,000 on a cat, regardless of whether it “works.”
Response from PaulaWKY:
I highly recommend the article simply because it’s hilarious. The testimonial in particular looks like the company just took a basic infomercial script for, say, a cleaning product, and inserted “ALLERCA cat” in place of another product name.
Dan you had me laughing out loud at that one.
It’s an interesting topic, I think, because I’m really a pet lover (like a lot of other people with pet allergies), but I’m not going to spend $7,000 on a cat, regardless of whether it “works.”
I couldn’t agree more. I am a huge animal lover so I would have a really hard time with not being able to have animals but $7000 (wow). I’m more of a “rescue from an animal shelter” type. Almost all of mine came from shelters and they typically require you to have one on one time with any animal you adopt. That could be a good time for you to check out an allergy reactions. Also, with adopted animals you are allowed to take them back if there are issues. So if your allergies became an issue later you could always return the dog (though that would be hard to do for some and some people would be adamantly against it). It is a suggestion though
Response from Kori:
wow, $7000. it better got and pic up my meds for the rest of my allgeries too, and throw in a back rub for good measure.
For me, it all depends on the cats and dogs. For cats, for the most part, anything long haired is going to kill me. Though I’ve met a few exceptions. For dogs, labs, pit bulls, and anything with long hair, do me in. Other than that I have to take it on a case, by case moment.
Response from Ellen_CM:
We actually breed a rare dog that is non-shedding and purported to be “hypo-allergenic”.
As a Vet assistant, retired dog and horse breeder, and mom of a child with life-threatening allergies, I think adding the following caveat is important:
Most (but not all) people area allergic to the saliva of the animal. Some people may figure this out themselves, but most do not make the connection because they will begin to have an allergic reaction upon entering the room a cat has occupied. How can this be?
Saliva of any animal contains proteins and it’s usually these proteins that we’re allergic to. When a cat, who is a fanatical groomer just because he’s a cat, cleans his fur, he deposits the protein/antigen rich saliva on the fur and when it dries the protein antigen (which is very tiny and lightweight) can become easily airborne or aerosolized. You walk into the room, breathe in the airborne antigens and *Poof!* you’re wheezing and itching like the cat just crawled all over you.
Why are some people “more allergic” to cats than dogs? Cats groom themselves multiple times each day. Cats are so fanatical about their grooming processes that when a vet sees a chronically ill cat and an owner that’s wondering how they will know when it will be time to euthanize the animal, the vet will tell the owner to watch the cat’s grooming habits, as that will tell you how the cat is feeling. A cat may nearly completely stop eating and drinking, but he will rarely stop grooming unless he is in a serious state.
I digress… Cats groom themselves so often that they are putting more of the offending protein onto their coats and therefore into the air. A long haired cat is going to have twice the hair to hold antigen as a short-haired cat. The air of the room containing a cat is going to have an antigen concentration in the air that is many times more than the same size room containing a much larger dog. Relatively hairless dogs and cats have come into some fashion because they will carry less of the protein (no fur to clean) for you to have a reaction to.
The point is, there are ways around these allergies for many people and it’s actually quite simple.
Bathe your animal regularly.
When you bathe the animal you remove the protein antigen and therefore the offending part of the cat. There really is no need to “throw the cat out with the bathwater”. Some people are successful simply spraying their cats down with water or even wiping them down with a damp rag each day and bathing them infrequently. Those with more severe allergies (or a cat that is more fanatical about grooming such as a long-hair) may find that dunking your cat in a little warm water daily is enough to take care of the issue. While “dunking your cat” may sound like a severe and possibly dangerous thing to do it is actually quite easy, and some cats find they even enjoy it if it’s done correctly. The same follows for bathing (or rinsing) your cat. I always bathe our cats before feeding them, so they look forward to the baths as part of something pleasant. We also began by bathing them when they were kittens which helps, but is not absolutely necessary.
The same is true for dogs and horses. Dogs aren’t as fanatical about grooming so usually are less of a problem. We think about bathing dogs usually much before we would consider bathing a cat, yet dogs need baths in an allergy situation, far less than a cat. Dogs are also often outdoors and cats are more frequently kept indoors. Cats are also more likely to be on your bed depositing offending antigens where you sleep.
Horses do not “groom” themselves, so are even less of a culprit than dogs and cats. Horses do use their mouths to scratch an occasional itch, and have a behavior called “mutual grooming” that they will do with another horse. The purpose of mutual grooming is “I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine.” As a result, saliva is more liberally deposited in multiple areas of the horse’s coat. This is especially a problem during fly season as the flies are a constant battle for a horse that has not been sprayed with fly spray to keep them at bay. Bathing once every couple of weeks is usually sufficient for horses, but as an owner you will have to decide if that is enough for your horse and your allergies. Be aware also, that as an outside dwelling animal, and an animal that eats forages (plants) there will be pollens that also accumulate on their coat no matter the season.
Don’t forget also, that all animals kept outside will have pollen and other possible offending antigens throughout their coats. You may think that you’re allergic to your dog, when in fact you’re allergic to the tree pollen and grass pollen he carries in his coat (and has deposited throughout your home) from his outside adventures. Devoted dog owners have learned that you can litter box train a dog quite easily, which eliminates the need for outside jaunts except for possible exercise. Small dogs are perfect for these people as their need for outside exercise is negligible. Most are usually “self-exercising”.
Not sure if this will work? Borrow a pet from a friend for a while as you try out methods of dealing with the offending antigens. Just make sure he’s bathed before bringing him into your home so you’re starting relatively clean.
Care should be taken when removing an animal from the household, or in holding back from the immense pleasure of being a pet owner. There are many ways around the situation for most people and with a little diligence they can have the measurable and research backed benefits of coming home to a wagging tail at night after work, or sitting on the couch after a hard day listening to the soft purrs of a warm cat on your lap. To an animal lover, few things are as pleasurable or stress relieving as the companionship of a loyal pet.
Response DanW:
Ellen_WEGO_Health - 27 August 2007 09:18 AM
We actually breed a rare dog that is non-shedding and purported to be “hypo-allergenic”.
Hi, Ellen. Just out of curiosity, what breed is it? Have you found that it “works” for most people?
Ellen_WEGO_Health - 27 August 2007 09:18 AM
Most (but not all) people area allergic to the saliva of the animal. Some people may figure this out themselves…
I’ve been allergic to cats for as long as I can remember, but I only figured this out when my family got a new kitten who loved to lick people. He especially liked to lick the back of my neck, and would do that whenever he could, which of course was only when I was asleep. It would wake me up, but my whole neck would be instantly covered in hives. Vicious stuff for such a cute little kitten.
Ellen_WEGO_Health - 27 August 2007 09:18 AM
Relatively hairless dogs and cats have come into some fashion because they will carry less of the protein (no fur to clean) for you to have a reaction to.
My understanding is that most people with cat or dog allergies are also allergic to the dander from the cat or dog’s skin—not just the saliva. So short-haired or sparsely-haired cats and dogs aren’t necessarily a good bet for most people. I know I haven’t had any better luck with short-haired cats than with long-haired cats. As for dogs, I’m just the opposite of Kori. I usually do better with long-haired dogs because a lot of the short-haired ones tend to shed more. Even though most people aren’t necessarily allergic to the fur, the fur carries saliva and dander on it, and if it’s deposited everywhere it can be an allergy nightmare.
Thanks so much for your helpful tips. I know of at least one person who was almost forced to give up her cat but ended up being able to manage her allergies by bathing it frequently and keeping it off furniture.
Response by Ellen_CM:
DanW - 27 August 2007 11:31 PM
Ellen_WEGO_Health - 27 August 2007 09:18 AM
We actually breed a rare dog that is non-shedding and purported to be “hypo-allergenic”.
Hi, Ellen. Just out of curiosity, what breed is it? Have you found that it “works” for most people?
Dan,
We have Havanese dogs, the clown of the dog world. They are a long-haired, non-shedding dog in the toy category. They usually weigh around 10 pounds and are extremely gregarious. It’s impossible to not smile when around these little guys, even if you’re not a dog person. I have not had anyone purchase a dog from us yet that did it because of their allergies so I can’t comment whether they are finding these little guys are helping, but others who breed them tell me that they have had amazing reports from those who have purchased them as “hypo-allergenic” pals.
Response by DanW:
Thanks Ellen. I found some pictures of Havanese dogs online. They’re adorable!
Response by drees:
My understanding is that most people with cat or dog allergies are also allergic to the dander from the cat or dog’s skin—not just the saliva. So short-haired or sparsely-haired cats and dogs aren’t necessarily a good bet for most people.
You’re right - the culprit proteins that cause your allergic reactions are in saliva, dander and urine. Certain breeds of dogs produce less dander, but after a while it will accumulate. With all of Ellen’s useful tips you can reduce the odds that the allergens will linger in your household.
Response by drees:
Kori D. - 25 August 2007 04:55 PM
wow, $7000. I better go and pick up my meds for the rest of my allgeries too, and throw in a back rub for good measure.
No kidding!
I looked up ALLERCA - supposedly, they’re breeding cats with a mutation in a gene that produces an allergy-causing protein. The theory is that the immune system no longer recognizes the protein as an allergen.
I wonder how long they’ve been breeding that line of kitties before they got the hypoallergenic ones.
Cute, but not $7,000-worth!
Response by Gisela81:
I have always, or was always I should say, highly allergic to cats and dogs. My doctors always insisted that I stay away from them of from houses where there were cats. I never liked cats because even petting one would cause hives all over, asthma symptoms and sneezing for days. Oddly enough though, I took in an 8 week old kitten to save it from someone setting it loose in the woods. I intended to find it a home. Well, she’s almost 5 years old now and even her kisses on my nose don’t cause a single symptom. After about a week or two of having her my allergies pretty much calmed down on their own until they didn’t bother me one bit. The only thing that bothers me is if I’ve been petting her for a while and then forget and touch my eyes. When that happens I have to use some allergy eye drops right away or the full blown symptoms will start. Other than that, she’s always in my lap and I have no problems. I’ve even taken to feeding strays with no problems. I’ve even found that having her has helped my asthma out a bit. In the sense that pets make us much calmer and asthma can easily triggered by emotional upsets or stress.
Of course I do take precautions to avoid my allergies being flared up by my cat. I vacuum frequently, more so for her allergies than mine (oddly enough we share some of the same allergies), she’s not allowed into my bedroom and sleeps in a spare bedroom where we also keep her litter box. I use dust-free litter and rug spray cleaner. She also gets regular baths with a no-water all natural chamomile foam and brushed daily which helps with dander. As well as having her on a high quality diet which again is more for her allergies but also helps with mine.
So are $7,000 cats a must have for those who want a pet? I don’t think they are. It’s been my experience that a regular cat and a lot of precautions do the trick.
Response by Kori:
Thanks for that great information Sela. I’ve come across similar things like this. I used to have a cat for 8 years and wasn’t allergic to him, but others make me really sick. I’ve found that it all depends on the cat and how you handle them in your life. You message is a good reminder to pet lovers like me that there are still pets out there for us.
Thanks!
Response by Gisela81:
Kori D. - 24 October 2007 07:19 PM
Thanks for that great information Sela.
I’m so glad you found it usefull to you Kori. You’re right, it’s a matter of how you handle the pet in your life and on the pet itself. In my case, my cat has allergies herself which requires upkeep that benefits my own allergies as well.
Response by Ria Wego Health:
Ellen_WEGO_Health - 27 August 2007 09:18 AM
We actually breed a rare dog that is non-shedding and purported to be “hypo-allergenic”.
As a Vet assistant, retired dog and horse breeder, and mom of a child with life-threatening allergies....
Ellen, great input. Our entire family is allergic to cats and (me, my husband and two kids) are allergic to cats and my husband and son are allergic to dogs. I used to be allergic to dogs too but we actually have two dogs, and it seems I’ve become de-sensitized to them.
But to your point about the saliva… it is obvious in our house that it is the saliva because my son is fine unless one of the dogs licks him. Then, he gets a big hive.
It is possible to minimize the allergic reactions by following the steps you described. We bathe and groom our dogs regularly and we also keep them out of the rooms we sleep in. They are not allowed on the kid’s floor of the house at all. We have hardwood floors in most areas. We try to keep my son from rolling around on the carpets that we do have.
There is also a dander remover product that you can buy from Nature’s Miracle, I think.
Two asides… 1) my in-laws bought a “hypoallergenic” dog, a Portuguese Waterdog and when we visit them, my husband and I BOTH get hay fever. Someone mentioned that it was a matter of being sensitized to a particular dog’s dander.
2) my dog has seasonal allergies too… we like to joke that he’s allergic to us!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ellen S on -
For those interested in hypOallergenic pets, dogs in particular, I know of 2 black and white hypoallergenic Havanese dogs available to good families. They were born last summer and are still all puppy! There is no charge for them, I'd just like to see them go to a family looking for a dog to love. You can email me privately for more information. Yes, they can be shipped wherever you are.
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