Allergic To Dogs

Barack Obama has delighted millions of dog owners, by stating that one of his first priorities, when moving to the White House, is to buy his children a puppy. He suggested that he would need to be careful and choose a hypoallergenic dog breed, because one of his children is allergic to dogs. That little girl is in good company, because about 15% of people are allergic to dogs or cats in one form or another.

There are countless people who have family members who are slightly allergic to dogs, but who cherish their pets just as much as anyone who does not suffer in this way. It depends to some extent on the severity of the allergic reaction and whether your pet is a hypoallergenic dog breed. If the allergy is relatively mild, and little more than a slight inconvenience, the pleasure of keeping a pet may outweigh the disadvantages. However, when the allergic reaction is severe, and incapacitating, it may be wise to consider some other form of pet. But, it should be borne in mind that there are those who are allergic to other pets, such as guinea pigs and rabbits.

Not the Dog's Fault

Of course it is not a dogs fault if people are allergic to dogs. The problem usually arises from a reaction to dander, which is the dead skin being continuously replaced, or to saliva used by pets to clean themselves, which dries out and is then shaken off. Urine is a lesser problem as most dogs are clean, and do their toilet where it is unlikely to be troublesome.

Barack Obama suggested that he would seek a hypoallergenic dog breed, and there is no doubt that some breeds are less allergenic than others. But there is no such thing as a 100% non-allergenic dog, and so it may come down to choosing wisely and then taking sensible precautions. Breeds that are considered to have less dander include Poodles, Schnauzers, and Terriers.

Normal Precautions

There are some obvious steps to take to limit the dispersal of dog allergens. It doesn't seem feasible that Barack Obama would be prepared to allow a pet dog in the bedrooms of the 'White House' but you never know! It's a good idea for anybody to reserve the bedroom as a peaceful haven, and your dog will know that it is out of bounds if he is taught such as a puppy. Hygiene is important, so bathe your dog regularly and pay extra attention to cleaning, particularly vacuuming. Be meticulous about your pet's bed because although he may prefer it to smell a bit doggy, it will be better for you all to keep it clean and well aired.

Ask Your Vet

Your vet is perhaps the best person to advise you about hypoallergenic dog breeds, choice of dog shampoos, combs and brushes, etc. If your child is even a mildly allergic to dogs, do the grooming yourself. At the end of the day we come back to where we started which is really a question of common sense. If the dog allergy is severe consider another sort of pet, because some children can be just as enchanted with tropical fish, or other pets from which there is not an allergy hazard.