Approximately 1 in 10 pet owners suffer from allergies and there are a number of pets that are more suitable for pets allergy sufferers. The allergies in pet owners are caused by the dander shed by the pet. Consequently, breeds that shed less dander are more suitable for allergic owners.
Hypoallergenic Breeds
There are both cat and dog breeds that are called hypoallergenic. These are not pets that cause no allergies at all, but will cause milder allergic reactions.
Dander has been identified as the leading factor that causes allergies in humans. The dander is made up of certain substances, including a glycoprotein, which interacts with the immune system of sensitive people. The symptoms signaling allergies include sneezing, watery eyes or itchy skin.
Hair has very little to do with allergic reactions. If the hair contains dander, dust particles or any other types of allergens, these can cause allergies, but pet hair alone is not an allergen.
All dogs shed dander, so they will all cause allergies. However, the pets that are tagged as hypoallergenic are supposed to shed less dander and this will mean that there will be fewer allergic reactions.
Best Dogs for Allergy Sufferers
There are a few dog breeds that are considered hypoallergenic. These breeds may include:
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Cairn Terrier
- Bedlington Terrier
- Maltese
- Old English Sheepdog
- Chihuahua
- Poodles
- Schnauzers (small, medium, giant)
- Basenji
- Italian Greyhound
- Labradoodle
There are also a few dog breeds that are considered to cause more severe allergies in more sensitive people. These breeds include:
- Basset Hound
- German Shepherd
- Doberman
- Dachshund
- Labrador and Golden Retrievers
Please note that not all hypoallergenic dogs will shed less dander. If the diet of the dog is not healthy, he may shed more dander than dogs that are not considered hypoallergenic. Also, there may be particular dogs from a hypoallergenic breed that simply produce more dander. This may be due to metabolism, environment or health condition.
Before buying a dog, it is important to test the dog and see if allergic reactions occur. The owner to be has to spend a few hours with the dog to see if he causes allergies.
Best Cats for Allergy Sufferers
Hypoallergenic cats are supposed to shed less dander and cause milder allergic reactions in people that are prone to developing pet allergies.
Cat breeds that can be safer for allergic owners include:
- Siberian
- Sphynx
- Oriental Shorthair
- Russian Blue
Also, cats with shorter hair may be more recommended for allergic owners as shorter hair will gather less dirt, dust or pollens, which are notorious allergens.
Just like with hypoallergenic dogs, some hypoallergenic cats may shed more dander due to diet, skin condition or environmental factors.
There are scientists that are trying to work on breeds of cats and dogs that cause no allergic reaction whatsoever, but such pets don’t exist yet.