What to do if you’re allergic to your pet cat or dog – nasal sprays, changing their diet and more

Over-the-counter antihistamines, nasal sprays, immunotherapy, changing your pet’s diet, pet shampoos and wipes, HEPA air filters… how do these methods stack up? We find out.

It’s one of life’s greatest ironies when the animal that brings joy to your life is also the source of your allergy woes. Sneezing, watery eyes, stuffy or runny nose, scratchy throat, rashes and even asthmatic symptoms such as wheezing and chest tightness might be daily occurrences that you put up with in order to pat, cuddle or play with Milo.

While allergy cases involving dust mites are still the mainstay, said Dr Lim Keng Hua, a consultant ENT surgeon at Ear Nose Throat, Head & Neck Surgery Specialist, allergies to pets are increasingly becoming more common. “I have seen more patients tested positive to pets this year compared to last year.”

Dr Ker Liang, an ENT surgeon and the medical director at Aglow ENT Centre, also reported seeing “patients who are allergic to their pets quite frequently”, who seek treatment for allergic rhinitis (sensitive nose) and rhinosinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses).

Interestingly, the common cause of your snivelling situation isn’t your pet’s fur, said Dr Gwenda Lowe, the owner and veterinary surgeon at Brighton Vet Care. “The allergens from pets are mainly their saliva and secretions from their skin’s sebaceous glands, which are shed in dander aka skin flakes.”

Fur is often blamed for being a trigger as dander can be caught on the fluffy stuff, said Dr Rina Maguire, the hospital director of Beecroft Animal Specialist & Emergency Hospital. 

And sometimes, you may not be allergic to your pet at all “but rather, the house dust mites, fleas or ticks on your pets’ fur or skin”, said Dr Lim.

WHY ARE SOME OWNERS ALLERGIC BUT OTHERS AREN’T? AND WHY ARE MORE PEOPLE ALLERGIC TO CATS THAN DOGS?

It has to do with your immune system, said Dr Ker. “Some people have a hypersensitive immune response to specific proteins found in dander, saliva and other substances.”

She continued: “Generally, cat allergens are more potent and can trigger more severe reactions compared to dog allergens because cat dander contains a highly allergenic protein called Fel d 1, which can remain airborne longer”.

According to Dr Lowe, feline dander is also smaller and stickier than canine dander, so they are more likely to adhere to skin and clothes. “Cats groom themselves more than dogs, which means you may also be in contact with more saliva when you touch a cat’s skin or fur.”

And compared to dogs, cats get more access to beds, sofas, tables and countertops, said Dr Lowe. This means they shed their dander on surfaces “that would be in frequent contact with the owners’ skin and respiratory system”.