Best Pets For People With Allergies

 Pets bring a lot of happiness to people's lives and provide opportunities to spend time in the great outdoors. Unfortunately, many individuals, especially those with asthma and rhinitis, are allergic to animals. According to the AAFA, about 10% to 20% of the world’s population are allergic to dogs and cats. 

 If you are allergic to animals, you may feel discouraged about bringing a new pet into your home. But that shouldn’t be the case because there are hypoallergenic pets for animal lovers prone to allergies. If you need a hypoallergenic pet, here are the best pets for you. 

 Hypoallergenic Dogs

 It’s worth noting that all mammals produce proteins that trigger allergic reactions. The good news is that there are dogs that produce fewer allergens, making them a perfect choice for people with allergies. Typically, dog breeds considered hypoallergenic are hairless or shed less fur. When searching for hypoallergenic dog breeds, your options include poodles, Portuguese water dogs, Yorkshire terrier, Spanish water dogs, and American hairless terrier. 

 Poodles rank as the most hypoallergenic dog breed because they grow hair instead of fur and don’t have an undercoat, so dead hair doesn’t get in the air. Yorkshire terrier also don’t shed often because they have one layer of fine hair. While these dogs are easy to keep without worrying about itching, sneezing, and coughing, you need to keep them safe and be cautious when cleaning your home because there are household cleaning products toxic to dogs. For example, products that contain bleach, chlorine, and ammonia irritate your dog’s skin. When ingested, these chemicals lead to kidney damage and increase the risk of cancer in dogs. 

 Least Allergenic Cats

 Cats are more allergenic than dogs as they produce more Fel d1, a protein found in cat saliva. This allergen spreads throughout the cat’s fur during grooming. Like dogs, finding low-shedding cats is key to prevent triggering allergy symptoms. Examples of cat breeds that don’t cause allergies are Balinese, Siamese, sphynx cat, Devon rexes, and Bengal cats. Because the sphynx cat is hairless, it doesn’t shed fur that’s filled with Fel d1 protein. However, sphynx cats need extra care. You need to bathe them regularly and rub them with a towel to manage skin oil. Adding Ultra Oil skin and coat supplement in your cat’s food is another great way to prevent dry, itchy skin, hot spots, skin bumps, and skin allergies. 

 Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, and Rabbit

 Smaller mammals like rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters produce allergens like their larger counterparts. But their small size and living conditions make them an ideal choice for people prone to allergies. Ideally, small-sized mammals produce less dander than cats and dogs. Not to mention, smaller pets live in cages, so most of the allergen they produce stays where they live. However, avoid rabbits and guinea pigs with long hair, as they shed more hair, causing allergic reactions. Since small mammals have unique care requirements, research your options carefully. 

 If you or a loved one have animal allergies, keeping a pet can be challenging. That’s because they produce allergens that trigger sneezing, a runny nose, and teary eyes. Fortunately, you can still experience the joy of being a pet parent by adopting hypoallergenic dogs and cats like poodles, Portuguese water dogs, the sphynx cats, Bengali cats, or Siamese cats. You can also opt for smaller mammals like rabbits, hamsters, rats, and guinea pigs, or fish, snakes, turtles, and frogs.