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General - Pet Allergy
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| Pets, by way of their close daily contact with humans at home, may provoke allergies. These allergies are commonly developed to cats and dogs, but can also develop to rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters and birds, as well as farm animals such as horses, cows, chickens, ducks and geese. | Microscopic protein particles called allergens, are present in the animal skin flakes (animal dander). These can set off allergic symptoms when breathed into the nose and lungs or deposited in the eyes. Similar particles are also present in the animal's saliva and urine. |
The animal fur, although itself not allergy-provoking, can collect dust, pollen, mould as well as other allergens.
The removal of a much loved pet from the home may cause major emotional upsets. However, refusal to remove a pet from the home of a child with severe asthma and documented sensitivity to that pet will result in needless suffering.
After the removal of the pet it may take many months for the allergen levels in the home to fall sufficiently enough so as not to set off allergic reactions. It may therefore be wise to remove the allergic person from the pet's environment for a trial period of time (1 to 2 weeks) to see if the allergic symptoms improve and thus to confirm a pet allergy. Skin tests and blood tests may also be performed to test for specific pet allergies.
Cat Allergy
Cat allergy is the most common pet allergy and up to 40% of asthma sufferers are sensitive to cats.
A tiny protein particle, the "Fel d 1" allergen, is found in the cat's skin flakes and saliva. This is deposited on the fur by the cat licking itself. It is shed into the air and can be deposited on the walls and clothing in the home. The cat allergen may remain airborne for months due to its small size. If breathed in by the allergy sufferer, it will lead to an allergic reaction within minutes. These allergic reactions usually include itchy eyes and nose, sneezing, asthma and itchy skin rashes.
In some studies it has been shown that over 80%of asthmatic children whose home contained a cat at the time of their birth and during the first year of their life, will develop a cat allergy. While less than 40% of asthmatic children whose homes contained either no cat or a cat after the first year of life will develop a cat allergy. The cat allergen is much more likely to cause sensitisation than that of the dog. The cat allergen can also cause allergies by being brought into homes where no cats live, for example on a person's clothing. This has been noted to occur quite commonly in the school class-room setting.
Source of main Animal Allergens
| Animal | Source |
| Cat | Skin, Saliva |
| Dog | Saliva, Skin |
| Rat | Urine |
| Guinea Pig | Saliva, Urine |
| Rabbit | Saliva, Urine |
| Gerbil | Skin, Serum |
| Hamster | Skin |
| Mouse | Urine |
| Horse | Skin |
| Cow | Skin |
Cat allergen avoidance measures
Removal of the cat from the home followed by thorough vacuuming of the carpets, floors and bedding is the only sure way of getting rid of its allergy-provoking protein. If the pet must be kept, then washing the cat regularly (once a week) will considerably reduce the amount of allergen in the fur and thus in the home. Cats bathed from a young age tend not to mind being washed.
The cat should also be kept out of doors as much as possible and banned from the allergy sufferers bedroom. These measures, together with wiping down of the bedroom walls with a damp cloth to remove allergen deposits, regular airing of the home, and thorough vacuum cleaning, will reduce the level of cat allergen. A special exhaust filter should be fitted to the vacuum cleaner to prevent the small allergen particles from going straight through the machine and back into the air.
Face masks can be used when cleaning or brushing the cat, and clothes should be changed after contact with a cat. It can take up to 6 months to sufficiently reduce household levels of the tiny cat allergen. High efficiency particle-arresting (HEPA) air filters will also help to reduce the amount of allergen in the air.
Dog Allergy
Dogs have a number of allergy-provoking protein particles in their saliva and skin scales. Dog allergy is less common than cat allergy, and the longer haired breeds which carry more skin scales see to provoke allergic reactions more frequently A dog's lick may set off a severe allergic response, as can breathing in the allergen particles.
Other Pets
With rabbits, rats, mice, hamsters and guinea pigs the most important sources of allergens are the saliva and urine. Once dry, these secretions become airborne and can be a source of allergic sensitisation for children and laboratory animal workers. Horse and cow skin scales can be allergenic to those exposed to them. Birds carry allergy-provoking mites, moulds and pollen on their feathers. Budgie droppings can release proteins into the air which induce insidious lung problems and asthma.Tropical fish may be problematic, in that individuals can develop allergies to the ant's eggs upon with the fish feed, and moulds that may grow in the fish tank. Even the Cockroach, although not considered a pet, is also a 'source' of domestic allergic sensitisation.