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Millions of Americans live with pets despite being allergic to them. Any furry animal, most commonly cats and dogs, may trigger allergy symptoms like sneezing or red, itchy eyes. Pet allergies can also make asthma harder to control.

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You may think animal allergies are caused by fur, but that fuzz and fluff is merely a carrier for allergens.¹ Pet dander, the source of allergens, is composed of tiny, even microscopic, proteins from flecks of skin shed by pets.

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Cat allergens are found in cat saliva, which sticks to fur when cats lick themselves. They are also released by glands in the skin and shed as dander or secreted in the urine of male cats. The allergens are buoyant, which means they easily remain airborne.
Dog allergens are also present in dander, as well as saliva, urine, and blood. Although allergen levels can differ among breeds,² all breeds, even hairless dogs, can trigger allergies.

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Pet allergens are easily spread. They can circulate in air and remain on carpets and furniture for months. These small particles may also be carried on clothing into areas where there are no pets.

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Preventive Strategies

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If you suspect you or a loved one is allergic to a pet, you can get tested.

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There are many options for reducing exposure to pet-related allergens, and the following (2MB) may help:

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Keep pets out of the bedroom where an allergic person sleeps
Encase mattresses and pillows in special allergen-proof fabric covers
Remove or replace carpets
Vacuum regularly, but when the person with allergies is not present, using a cleaner with a HEPA filter (high-efficiency particulate air, which is a type of mechanical air filter) or a double-layered micro filter bag
Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter for the allergic person's bedroom
Avoid certain ionic air cleaners that can generate harmful ozone
Keep pets off furniture and out of cars
Bathe dogs, which may decrease allergens if done at least twice a week for effectiveness
After playing with your pet, wash your hands and clothes to remove pet allergens
Avoid contact with soiled litter
Dust often with a damp cloth

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\n \n Shah R and Grammer LC, 2012. Chapter 1: An overview of allergens. Allergy Asthma Proc 33 Suppl 1: S2-5. [Abstract Shah R and Grammer LC, 2012. Chapter 1: An overview of allergens. Allergy Asthma Proc 33 Suppl 1: S2-5.] \n
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\n \n Vredegoor DW, Willemse T, Chapman MD, Heederik DJ, Krop EJ., 2012. Can f 1 levels in hair and homes of different dog breeds: lack of evidence to describe any dog breed as hypoallergenic. J Allergy Clin Immunol 130(4):904-9. [Abstract Vredegoor DW, Willemse T, Chapman MD, Heederik DJ, Krop EJ., 2012. Can f 1 levels in hair and homes of different dog breeds: lack of evidence to describe any dog breed as hypoallergenic. J Allergy Clin Immunol 130(4):904-9.] \n
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Millions of Americans live with pets despite being allergic to them. Any furry animal, most commonly cats and dogs, may trigger allergy symptoms like sneezing or red, itchy eyes. Pet allergies can also make asthma harder to control.

\n

You may think animal allergies are caused by fur, but that fuzz and fluff is merely a carrier for allergens.¹ Pet dander, the source of allergens, is composed of tiny, even microscopic, proteins from flecks of skin shed by pets.

\n

Cat allergens are found in cat saliva, which sticks to fur when cats lick themselves. They are also released by glands in the skin and shed as dander or secreted in the urine of male cats. The allergens are buoyant, which means they easily remain airborne.
Dog allergens are also present in dander, as well as saliva, urine, and blood. Although allergen levels can differ among breeds,² all breeds, even hairless dogs, can trigger allergies.

\n

Pet allergens are easily spread. They can circulate in air and remain on carpets and furniture for months. These small particles may also be carried on clothing into areas where there are no pets.

\n

Preventive Strategies

\n

If you suspect you or a loved one is allergic to a pet, you can get tested.

\n

There are many options for reducing exposure to pet-related allergens, and the following (2MB) may help:

\n

Keep pets out of the bedroom where an allergic person sleeps
Encase mattresses and pillows in special allergen-proof fabric covers
Remove or replace carpets
Vacuum regularly, but when the person with allergies is not present, using a cleaner with a HEPA filter (high-efficiency particulate air, which is a type of mechanical air filter) or a double-layered micro filter bag
Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter for the allergic person's bedroom
Avoid certain ionic air cleaners that can generate harmful ozone
Keep pets off furniture and out of cars
Bathe dogs, which may decrease allergens if done at least twice a week for effectiveness
After playing with your pet, wash your hands and clothes to remove pet allergens
Avoid contact with soiled litter
Dust often with a damp cloth

\n

Millions of Americans live with pets despite being allergic to them. Any furry animal, most commonly cats and dogs, may trigger allergy symptoms like sneezing or red, itchy eyes. Pet allergies can also make asthma harder to control.

\n

You may think animal allergies are caused by fur, but that fuzz and fluff is merely a carrier for allergens.¹ Pet dander, the source of allergens, is composed of tiny, even microscopic, proteins from flecks of skin shed by pets.

\n

Cat allergens are found in cat saliva, which sticks to fur when cats lick themselves. They are also released by glands in the skin and shed as dander or secreted in the urine of male cats. The allergens are buoyant, which means they easily remain airborne.
Dog allergens are also present in dander, as well as saliva, urine, and blood. Although allergen levels can differ among breeds,² all breeds, even hairless dogs, can trigger allergies.

\n

Pet allergens are easily spread. They can circulate in air and remain on carpets and furniture for months. These small particles may also be carried on clothing into areas where there are no pets.

\n

Preventive Strategies

\n

If you suspect you or a loved one is allergic to a pet, you can get tested.

\n

There are many options for reducing exposure to pet-related allergens, and the following (2MB) may help:

\n

Keep pets out of the bedroom where an allergic person sleeps
Encase mattresses and pillows in special allergen-proof fabric covers
Remove or replace carpets
Vacuum regularly, but when the person with allergies is not present, using a cleaner with a HEPA filter (high-efficiency particulate air, which is a type of mechanical air filter) or a double-layered micro filter bag
Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter for the allergic person's bedroom
Avoid certain ionic air cleaners that can generate harmful ozone
Keep pets off furniture and out of cars
Bathe dogs, which may decrease allergens if done at least twice a week for effectiveness
After playing with your pet, wash your hands and clothes to remove pet allergens
Avoid contact with soiled litter
Dust often with a damp cloth

\n

Millions of Americans live with pets despite being allergic to them. Any furry animal, most commonly cats and dogs, may trigger allergy symptoms like sneezing or red, itchy eyes. Pet allergies can also make asthma harder to control.

\n

You may think animal allergies are caused by fur, but that fuzz and fluff is merely a carrier for allergens.¹ Pet dander, the source of allergens, is composed of tiny, even microscopic, proteins from flecks of skin shed by pets.

\n

Cat allergens are found in cat saliva, which sticks to fur when cats lick themselves. They are also released by glands in the skin and shed as dander or secreted in the urine of male cats. The allergens are buoyant, which means they easily remain airborne.
Dog allergens are also present in dander, as well as saliva, urine, and blood. Although allergen levels can differ among breeds,² all breeds, even hairless dogs, can trigger allergies.

\n

Pet allergens are easily spread. They can circulate in air and remain on carpets and furniture for months. These small particles may also be carried on clothing into areas where there are no pets.

\n

Preventive Strategies

\n

If you suspect you or a loved one is allergic to a pet, you can get tested.

\n

There are many options for reducing exposure to pet-related allergens, and the following (2MB) may help:

\n

Keep pets out of the bedroom where an allergic person sleeps
Encase mattresses and pillows in special allergen-proof fabric covers
Remove or replace carpets
Vacuum regularly, but when the person with allergies is not present, using a cleaner with a HEPA filter (high-efficiency particulate air, which is a type of mechanical air filter) or a double-layered micro filter bag
Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter for the allergic person's bedroom
Avoid certain ionic air cleaners that can generate harmful ozone
Keep pets off furniture and out of cars
Bathe dogs, which may decrease allergens if done at least twice a week for effectiveness
After playing with your pet, wash your hands and clothes to remove pet allergens
Avoid contact with soiled litter
Dust often with a damp cloth

\n

Millions of Americans live with pets despite being allergic to them. Any furry animal, most commonly cats and dogs, may trigger allergy symptoms like sneezing or red, itchy eyes. Pet allergies can also make asthma harder to control.

\n

You may think animal allergies are caused by fur, but that fuzz and fluff is merely a carrier for allergens.¹ Pet dander, the source of allergens, is composed of tiny, even microscopic, proteins from flecks of skin shed by pets.

\n

Cat allergens are found in cat saliva, which sticks to fur when cats lick themselves. They are also released by glands in the skin and shed as dander or secreted in the urine of male cats. The allergens are buoyant, which means they easily remain airborne.
Dog allergens are also present in dander, as well as saliva, urine, and blood. Although allergen levels can differ among breeds,² all breeds, even hairless dogs, can trigger allergies.

\n

Pet allergens are easily spread. They can circulate in air and remain on carpets and furniture for months. These small particles may also be carried on clothing into areas where there are no pets.

\n

Preventive Strategies

\n

If you suspect you or a loved one is allergic to a pet, you can get tested.

\n

There are many options for reducing exposure to pet-related allergens, and the following (2MB) may help:

\n

Keep pets out of the bedroom where an allergic person sleeps
Encase mattresses and pillows in special allergen-proof fabric covers
Remove or replace carpets
Vacuum regularly, but when the person with allergies is not present, using a cleaner with a HEPA filter (high-efficiency particulate air, which is a type of mechanical air filter) or a double-layered micro filter bag
Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter for the allergic person's bedroom
Avoid certain ionic air cleaners that can generate harmful ozone
Keep pets off furniture and out of cars
Bathe dogs, which may decrease allergens if done at least twice a week for effectiveness
After playing with your pet, wash your hands and clothes to remove pet allergens
Avoid contact with soiled litter
Dust often with a damp cloth

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