Pet Allergy

Pet allergies are certain proteins — called allergens — on your pet that cause your allergic immune system to overreact. These allergens are in animal fur, skin, urine (pee) and saliva (spit). It’s also in pet dander, which is tiny scales from your pets’ skin, hair or feathers.

Usually, these proteins are harmless. However, your allergic immune system views them as harmful “invaders,” like bacteria or viruses.

What are the most common pet allergies?

Any pet can produce allergens, though cats and dogs are the most common source of pet allergens.

Other pets that cause allergies include:

• Rabbits.
• Rodents (rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs).
• Birds.
• Horses.

Are there hypoallergenic pets?

Some people believe that certain breeds of furry pets are hypoallergenic (won’t cause allergic reactions) because they shed less fur. However, studies show that there aren’t any hypoallergenic furry animals, especially since pet allergens are more than fur alone.

Your body is unique. If you have pet allergies, certain breeds of furry pets may cause minor symptoms or no symptoms. However, healthcare providers and researchers can’t accurately predict which breeds will be the least irritating.

Animals that don’t have fur or feathers are the least likely to cause pet allergies. These include:

• Amphibians (frogs, toads and salamanders).
• Fish.
• Reptiles (lizards, snakes and turtles).

Who do pet allergies affect?

Pet allergies can affect anyone.

You’re more likely to have or develop pet allergies if your biological parents have pet allergies.

How common are pet allergies?

Pet allergies are common. Up to 30% of people in the U.S. are allergic to cats and dogs. You’re more than twice as likely to be allergic to a cat than a dog.

How do pet allergies affect my body?

Pet allergies cause an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction is your body’s response to an allergen.

If you have allergies, the first time you encounter a pet allergen, your body responds by creating immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE is an antibody that your immune system makes. Each type of IgE is sensitive to a specific kind of pet allergen and other allergens.

You may only have IgE antibodies that are sensitive to one particular animal. Or you may have many IgE antibodies that are sensitive to many different types of allergens.

The antibodies find the allergens in your body and help remove them by taking them to the mast cell (the allergy cell), where they attach to a special receptor. This causes the allergy cell to release histamine. Histamine is what causes your allergy symptoms.