Although nearly every child is interested in the prospect of having a pet (at least until they see the end of ‘Old Yeller’), not every kid is capable of living with certain types of pets due to allergies. Sadly, the hair and dander produced by most cats, dogs, and other domesticated animals can cause those in proximity to cough, sneeze, wheeze, and even suffer from rashes, hives, or anaphylaxis. It can not only be uncomfortable; in some cases these allergic reactions can be severe and even deadly. But are there options out there for pets that won’t cause your kids to swell up like a balloon? The answer is yes and no. It depends on the animal, your child, and the severity of their allergies. But here are a few options you might want to explore.
The truth is that any animal has the potential to induce an allergic reaction if your child’s immune system happens to be sensitive. In most cases this is related to fur and dander, but it could also have to do with proteins in saliva, oils secreted on the skin, waste products (urine, for example) that dry on the fur, or any number of other natural elements. However, your kids may be more sensitive to certain types of animals. If, for example, they have allergic reactions around cats, it could be related to the Fel d 1 protein in their saliva, meaning [Read more…]
