Having a pet around you not only adds to the cuteness quotient but also helps reduce stress, keep your heart healthy, and help children with their emotional and social skills. But, if you are allergic to pets (certain animals in general), you miss out on these benefits.
Does that mean you will never be able to enjoy the pride and joy of having a pet to love and have by your side? Surprisingly, the answer is no. Numerous hypoallergenic pets are perfect for people with allergies.
In this detailed guide, we will list some of the best hypoallergenic pets you can bring home to cuddle with.
What Do “Hypoallergenic” Pets Even Mean?
Hypoallergenic pets are safe to keep around, even if you struggle with allergies, which usually occur from the fur of the animal.
While the “hair” of the pets is usually considered the main culprit triggering people’s allergies, it is the animal dander that people need to know about. It is usually the main culprit behind individuals’ allergy symptoms around their pets.
So, when pets shed their hair or fur, they also shed animal dander, which, in turn, contributes to allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, shortness of breath, etc. Hypoallergenic pets are thus the ones with very little hair or fur, meaning that they shed less animal dander, leading to fewer allergy triggers.
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Best Hypoallergenic Pets to Bring Home If You Have Allergies
While hypoallergenic pets mostly keep allergy symptoms away, expecting a 100% reduction in reactions is unrealistic. The majority of “home pets” are warm-blooded animals that produce animal dander to some extent.
However, when the risks of allergy symptoms are minimal (and sometimes non-existent), bringing home a furry friend is always a fun experience.
Following are some of the best pets you can bring home even if you are allergic to pets:
1. Dogs and Cats
Well, when we think of pets at home, dogs and cats are the two major categories that strike our mind. But is it possible to co-exist with a dog or a cat if you have allergies?
The short answer is yes. Certain breeds of dogs and cats are hypoallergenic, meaning that they won’t trigger allergy symptoms. Hypoallergenic dogs shed less dander, and hypoallergenic cats produce less Fel d 1.
So, if you are looking for dog or cat breeds to bring home, and if you have allergies, consider poodles and sphynx cats.
Also, cats tend to cause more allergy symptoms due to their self-grooming habits. When they groom themselves, they release the allergens, Fel d 1, into the air, potentially triggering the allergy symptoms. Sphynx cats, with no hair on their bodies, are thus perfect for having at home.
2. Pigs
Among the most hypoallergenic pets to keep at home are pigs, mainly because of the way they “shed” their coat. Pigs have a habit of blowing their coat either once or twice a year, during which they lose all their fur during the summer months and then grow it back during winter.
Since pigs have a tendency to grow by a lot in size, mini pigs are becoming more and more accessible to be kept as pets in homes. However, if you consider bringing home a “mini pig,” ensure it is ethically bred and taken care of.
3. Rodents and Smaller Mammals
If you have very limited space in your apartment, and bigger mammals like dogs, cats, and pigs are out of the question, rodents and other smaller mammals make a great alternative.
Thanks to their compact size, smaller mammals like hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, mice, rats, etc., tend to shed much less, leading to fewer allergens in the air. This, in turn, keeps your allergy symptoms in check.
Also, many of these smaller mammals tend to prefer living in cages or like to keep to themselves, secluded in their apartment area, so you won’t have to worry about the allergens spreading throughout the house.
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4. Fish
Although you can’t cuddle or dote on them, fish make great pets for people who are allergic to pets. They are not only allergen-free but also pretty low-maintenance, meaning that you won’t have to fret about taking care of them.
One issue that’s quite prevalent with fish care is mold and infections. You must be mindful of how you clean the aquarium and the environment in which you keep the fish.
5. Reptiles
In recent times, reptiles and amphibians have also gained a lot of popularity as pets. Since most of these are cold-blooded animals, you won’t have to worry about the allergens. However, caring for reptiles and amphibians requires a lot of knowledge, especially regarding their diet and the environment they need to live a comfortable life.
Also, although they have similarities, amphibians and reptiles require very different living conditions. Comprehensive research is a must if you are considering bringing them home as pets.
Some of the best reptiles and amphibians for pets are snakes, turtles, lizards, frogs, toads, and salamanders.
6. Birds
The last category includes birds, but even in this list, you have limited options. Birds don’t have fur, but they have feathers, which produce dander or feather dust, something that you might be allergic to. So, proper research about which bird to bring home is quite essential.
Some of the safest birds you can bring home if you have allergies are Toucans, Parakeets, Pionus Parrots, Macaws, Etc.
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What Are the Best Ways to Protect the Home from Pet Dander?
If you already have pets at home and have been suddenly diagnosed with allergies, you must find ways to keep pet dander to a minimum in your home. Thorough and deep cleaning is your only way to make that happen, and the following are a few factors to consider:
- Vacuuming and dusting are mandatory, preferably once or twice daily, to keep dander to a minimum.
- Consider cleaning the walls every week, too, since some pet dander can deposit itself on them.
- Thoroughly washing all pet beds, cages, and aquariums is a must if you want to keep your allergies in check. This also includes washing the clothes and bedding that the pet comes in contact with.
- Even if it seems hard to do, it is crucial to keep pets off the bedroom and other upholstered furniture to keep your symptoms in check.
Sometimes, a good-quality air purifier also filters out dander and other allergens in the air, keeping allergy symptoms in check.
Final Words
Living with a pet is a truly rewarding experience, allowing you to understand the meaning of unconditional love. However, squashing the dreams of having a furry friend seems like the most sensible choice when you are allergic to pets. However, the good news is that there are hypoallergenic pets that you can bring home to love. This detailed guide highlights a few different ones across different categories for you to explore.
