Page 34 2024 Animal Stories Lincoln Daily News February 2024 matters worse, like cats, their skin cells and urine can contain allergens as well. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), like cats, there are no dog breeds that are 100% hypoallergenic. There may be some breeds that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction than others. Dogs that drool a lot, such as a Bloodhound, may not be the best choice for someone with an allergy to dogs. Also, dog breeds that don’t shed as much as others may be a good choice. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has a long list of dogs they claim to be “hypoallergenic,” and you can see that list here - Hypoallergenic Dogs – Page 3 of 3 – American Kennel Club (akc.org) Keep in mind that, as the AKC states on the website, no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic. A dog that works for one person’s allergies may not for another. If you are allergic to the pet you own and love If you have a cat or dog and are allergic, the ACAAI states the best way to manage your symptoms is to remove the animal from your home. If this is not an option for you, or if you’d prefer to keep the animal, there are a few things you can do to help mitigate the allergens in the air. Firstly, you can limit the animal to only a few rooms in the house and keep them away from central living spaces. Next, somewhat obviously, the ACAAI recommends not hugging or kissing the animal, and to wash your hands if you touch them. They also state that you can purchase a HEPA air filter, and that over time, the amount of allergens in the air may start to decrease. Using a high-efficiency vacuum can help to reduce the allergen levels as well. Finally, giving your dog or cat a bath once a week can help with airborne allergens. Other pet options Well then, we seem to be out of options. If you’re allergic to cats, dogs, or worse, both, then what hope do you have to be able to have a pet? While dogs are the number one most popular pet to have in the United States, followed closely behind by cats, these two types of pets are by no means your only options. Fish are one type of pet that may be much more hypoallergenic than a dog or a cat. While there are people with fish allergies, foodallergy.org reports that only about one percent of the population is allergic to fish, and this is when eating them. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website describes fish as “great pets for people with allergies.” The only real problem when keeping a fish that Continued --
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