Pets can cause problems to allergic patients in several ways.  Their dander (skin flakes), saliva, and urine can cause an allergic reaction.  The animal’s fur itself is not considered to cause an allergic reaction.  However, the fur/hair does collect pollen, dust, mold spores, and saliva, which can cause an allergic reaction.  Even if the pet has short fur/hair, the same allergic reaction will occur.  

FACTS ABOUT PET ALLERGIES

• There are no non-allergic dogs, cats, maybe hypo or less allergic.  

• Frequent vacuuming will not control this allergy problem, because it stirs up the small allergen particles.  
   

• Bathing your pet one to two times weekly could help reduce the allergen quantity, although cats require bathing every 2-3 days to make a significant impact. 
   

• The best treatment for pet allergies is to remove the animal from the home. 
   

• Keeping the animal outside is not the solution. Pets kept outside have a higher concentration of allergy producing substances that can be brought into the home. 
   

• Pet allergen particles can go through fabrics.  In some cases it can take up to a year after the pet is gone from your home to be completely free of the allergen.  This means you must clean the walls, ceilings, and ducts, consider changing carpeting and repainting. 
   

• Notify your physician if there are any times when you must go into an environment that has pets which you are allergic.  
   

• You should not clean out the pet’s litter box, as exposure to the animal’s waste can cause an allergic reaction. 
   

• Confining your pet to one room will not limit the allergens to that room.  Air currents from forced air heating or air conditioners will spread the allergens throughout the house, but do minimize quantity of pet allergens in the bedroom.  

• Allergy shots and HEPA filters may help many tolerate some pet exposures.