4 potential pets for people with allergies

Posted: 22nd June 2022 | Posted by Costa

4 potential pets for people with allergies

Have you faced this problem? You love animals and all you want is a furry friend by your side, but you’re allergic to them. About 10% of people have a pet allergy. There are hypoallergenic pets, but it’s not that simple.

When you’re allergic to a pet, it’s usually because of their dander, saliva, or urine. And even hypoallergenic pets – such as Sphinx cats – can cause a reaction, because it’s not just about their hair. So what can you do if you still desperately want an animal companion? Here are our suggestions for alternatives to dogs and cats.

Small mammals

Now, before we get into it, small mammals can still trigger allergies. The proteins found in dog and cat dander are also found in pretty much every warm-blooded animal. This includes smaller mammals such as hamsters, rats, and rabbits. But they still might be a good choice for a pet.

The issue with having a cat or a dog is they tend to get everywhere. So their dander sticks to your furniture, floor, and clothes, triggering allergies. But smaller mammals are usually put into a confined area, such as a cage. It’s much easier to stop their dander getting around. The only caveat is that you’ll need someone else in the household who can clean their cage for you.

Other than that, put them in a part of the house with less foot traffic, have someone else clean them regularly, and enjoy your new companion!

Birds

As we just mentioned, warm-blooded animals produce dander. And birds are no different. But much like small mammals, you can keep them in their cage. A couple of budgies will keep each other happy and you can spend all day watching them sing to each other.

Again, this will require a second person who’s happy to clean up after them. And you obviously won’t be able to let them out of their cage to fly around freely.

Reptiles and amphibians

These won’t produce dander and it’s much less likely for you to be allergic to a snake, lizard, or tortoise. And these animals are also the kind to live in their habitats and never have to leave. We will say though that these animals will likely require more space.

Their vivariums can take up a lot of room. They need a good amount to wander around in, and they can be expensive to heat. Reptiles and amphibians are cold-blooded and need heat lamps to keep them warm, so specialist equipment is necessary. But if you can handle that, you can go ahead and get one!

One warning though: in some cases, it might mean feeding them live insects. In the case of snakes, maybe even rodents. This might not be ideal for squeamish people. Plus, there have been instances of people allergic to something like insects.

Fish

This might be as close to an allergy-free pet as you can get. Not only are they in a tank, but they’re surrounded by water. They aren’t the most interactive pet, but there’s something fulfilling about looking after another living thing.

If you haven’t had fish before, we wouldn’t recommend starting with tropical fish. They tend to be more high maintenance and need an experienced hand. But why not start with something simple, like a goldfish, and work your way up? They’re also great for teaching kids about the responsibility of looking after a pet.

And there you have our ideas! As with anything, you still want to exercise caution in case anything does cause an allergic reaction. Especially when it comes to the dander-producing options, such as small mammals and birds. But if you’re sensible and do your research, there’s no reason you can’t have a pet to call your own.

If you ever have any concerns about potential pet allergies, feel free to contact our allergy specialists. You can register with us as a new patient, or call us on 02031 433 449 for a quick chat.