Dogs make wonderful companions, but they can cause allergic reactions in some pet parents. Being allergic to a pet can lead to symptoms that range from mild to severe or life-threatening. It can also make bonding difficult.
While some people take allergy medications to reduce their dog allergy symptoms, others don’t find relief and must make the hard choice of finding a new home for their pet. But are there dogs who don’t cause allergies, and if so, what dog breeds are hypoallergenic? Can pet parents enjoy canine companionship from hypoallergenic dogs? It’s time to look at the science for these answers and more.
What is a dog allergy?
People with a dog allergy have an immune response to an allergen produced by the dog. According to Chan and Leung in a 2018 article in Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research, as many as 10 to 20% of people are allergic to pets, and this number is still on the rise.
Even those who don’t have dog allergies but do have other allergies could find themselves reacting to pet allergens eventually. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, up to 30% of people who have allergies or asthma also have allergic reactions to cats and dogs.
Interestingly, there are current studies taking place to figure out if exposure to pets during infancy can reduce allergies later in life.
Pet allergies aren’t immune reactions to the dog or the dog’s hair. In fact, what people are reacting to is the All About Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds. Retrieved September 14, 2021 from https://embarkvet.com/resources/blog/all-about-hypoallergenic-dog-breeds/Get Exclusive Offers for Your Pet
