What are Pet Allergies?

Nearly ten percent of the population has an allergy to pets such as cats and dogs. These pet allergies are caused by a reaction to the pet’s saliva or dander. There are both those that suffer from dog allergies and those who have cat allergies or both. Members of QualityHealth can receive up to date information on subjects like a dog or cat allergy such as:

Living with Pet Allergies

While there is no such thing as an “allergy free” dog or cat, it is possible to live happily with a pet in spite of pet allergies. There are also other types of pets that cause these reactions in people other than dog or cat allergies. These include:

• Birds
• Rabbits
• Small Rodents
• Guinea Pigs
• Other Small Mammals

Reptiles and fish do not cause pet allergies as they do not have fur. Fur is the major cause of allergic reactions in those that suffer from these pet allergies.

Removing Allergens from Your Home

Once a person discovers that they are allergic to their pet, removal of pet dander is necessary. Most with a dog or cat allergy are advised to have the animal live outside of the house and clean up thoroughly after them. By cleaning the area the pet has slept in and dusting your home often you can remove many of the allergens. Dog Allergies

A person with dog allergies can somewhat alleviate the symptoms by taking specific precautions in addition to allergy medication if they live with a dog:

• Bathe the dog at least once or twice every week
• Wipe the dog daily with a wet cloth
• Spay or neuter the dog
• Vacuum frequently with HEPA filration

Cat Allergies

There are particular cat breeds that have fewer layers of fur and reportedly cause less of an allergic reaction. While scientific evidence is still mixed, the breeds are:

Russian Blue Sphinx Devon Rex Siberian Cornish Rex

The QualityHealth Member Advantage

QualityHealth is your comprehensive resource to understanding pet allergies. By joining QualityHealth today, you have instant, 24/7 access to in-depth medical information on everything you need to know dealing with your dog or cat allergy. Information is all easy to read and in one place. Join QualityHealth today.