Approximately 15% of the population is allergic to dogs and cats, but that doesn’t mean that you should get rid of your pet at the first signs of symptoms. It is possible to live with a pet even though you are allergic to it. It is not complicated, you just have to take a few precautions.
Animal allergens are proteins which, when breathed in or make contact with the skin, produce an allergic reaction which makes the organism produce histamine. Histamine may cause swelling and irritation and give rise to symptoms typical of hay fever and asthma.
If you get any of these symptoms, keep calm. Unfortunately, there are still many doctors that recommend getting rid of the dog or cat as the only palliative measure. That is a quick, unethical solution which has dire consequences both for the humans and the animals involved. Firstly, because there is an emotional bond for both which breaks with abandonment and from which the animal will never fully recover. Secondly, it adds to the already overcrowded sanctuaries for abandoned animals, when it could be avoided with a few precautions.
It has been shown that living with an animal during the first year of life reduces the chance of developing allergies in the future, as it strengthens the immunity system. Children often get over allergies as they grow up.
Below we introduce you to some precautions you can take if you are in this situation. They don’t cure the allergy but help to keep the allergenic responses under control and make co-habitation possible and more bearable.
Before deciding to get rid of an animal we should think of him/her and not forget the commitment we made when we brought them into our family. It is possible to live comfortably with an animal, despite having an allergy. All that is needed is to have a good understanding of the allergic condition and carry out a few preventative measures.