It could take two years of exposure before the human body builds up a sensitivity to animal allergens—but once you do, it may put the damper on your relationship with Rover and Fluffy. Dander and protein particles from pets are too small to be visible to the unaided eye—and their light weight causes them to be airborne for hours. Many people have allergic reactions that cause:

• Sneezing
• Rash
• Watery eyes
• Coughing
• Dizziness
• Lethargy
• Breathing difficulties
• Digestive problems

Animal or pet related allergies can be caused by the animal’s dander (dead skin cells), saliva or urine. Contrary to the claims of breeders and pet shops, there are no hypo-allergenic cats or dogs. There are several reasons why this is the case:

1. The problem isn’t simply pet’s fur—it’s the dander. Many types of dogs and cats are breed and suggested to be less of an allergy trigger. Unfortunately, it’s the dander (dead skin cells) shed by animals that can cause irritation, and whether a pet has fur or not, it will slough dead skin. Older pets tend to shed more dander because their skin typically is drier.
2. Saliva contains allergen proteins. A protein that is a powerful allergen is found in the saliva of pets. When pets grooms themselves, their saliva is deposited on fur and as it dries, it becomes airborne. The protein is light and sticky, so it adheres to clothing and furniture very easily.
3. Urine also contains this allergen protein that is present in the saliva of pets. Once dried, urine can become airborne—the most potent allergen is found in the urine of rodents, whether they are pets or pests.

So there are no hypoallergenic pets, so what is the solution to pet allergies?

• The best method of alleviating allergies and allergic asthma is avoidance. Often times, an individual develops allergies after having a pet—and for most people, giving up a pet is as bad as loosing any other human family member. There are alternatives to finding new homes for pets
• Try to keep pets in one area of the house
• Avoid sharing your bed with pets and, depending on the severity of your allergies, you may want to keep pets out of bedrooms completely
• Keep pets away from furniture, upholstery and carpeting. These sorts of surfaces act as a reservoir for pet allergens
• Bathe pets weekly to cut back on dander and saliva buildup. There are several brands of allergy reducing pet shampoos available
• Keep pets outside, supplying them with shelter if they are kept out overnight
• Clean house regularly—and after cleaning, close the bedroom doors of individuals who are affected by allergies. You may want to consider purchasing a HEPA filter vacuum. Many brands now carry HEPA filter Vacuums like Dirt Devil, while others specialize in offering top-quality allergen removal, like Miele.
• Install an air cleaner that is not only proven to remove allergens and, if you have asthma, is safe for asthmatics.  The company Dynamic Air Cleaner offers HEPA quality air filtration and is perfect for small particulate in the air, such as pet dander. The recommended solution is to place console units in the bedrooms of allergy sufferers and use a panel filter that slides into your furnace/air conditioning unit to offer whole house relief.