How likely is it that I will develop dog allergies?

Question

My whole life, I owned cats at dogs. I am now 20 years old. I had a cat for the past 6 years. Last year, after being away from her for 3 months, I returned home and became ill. After 6 months of being sick I went to the doctor and was sent for allergy tests. When the tests came back, I learned that I was allergic to my cat. It was devistating, and she now lives with my mother.

I plan on getting a dog in a few years, but how likely is it that I will develop dog allergies now? I haven't owned a dog in 3 years.

cheerpowerx · Accepted Answer

Your greatest indicator will be your family history. Now, I've been told that children outgrow allergies, and then I've been told that allergies can worsen over time. Here's my experience.

My aunt and great aunt both have severe hay fever (pollen bloom allergies), and when I was tested at about 14, it turns out my allergies were MAJORLY grasses, some trees, and some molds.

Recently, I went and had another test done. I'm 26. I have even more severe grass allergies than before, but my molds and trees have gone down a little. I used to also have a mild allergy to cats, but that's gotten even more mild. Here's the part where I started to get a little choked up. My doctor told me I'm starting to develop an allergy to dogs. I about lost it in the clinic, because I love dogs so much, but fortunately, it's very mild and doesn't affect me too bad. 

So apparently it IS possible to develop an allergy to dogs, but a GREAT suggestion is to look for a dog with minimal dander. Golden Retriever? Yorkie? Shih Tzu? Pomeranian? All BAAAD choices. I'd stick with something hypo-allergenic like a pug, dachsund, beagle, or short haired chihuahua.

Hope this helps! Vote for me as best answer, I'm trying to get my level up! ;-)

? · Answer

My family owned  3-4 dogs when I was 17. I haven't owned any since then but have been around  very few my ex husband's family had 2, my current husbands dad has 1 and his mom had 2 ( her dogs recently passed away & she did not replace them) but we did not visit very often as they lived more than 3 hours away , and have tested positive ( 3+ reaction) to dogs. Everyone's reactions will be different to allergy testing and not everyone will become allergic to the same thing.

Anonymous · Answer

Unfortunatly, allergies change every seven years or so. I used to be terribly allergic to animals and now I have two dogs and a cat. If you are worried try to get a hypoallergenic breed like Laso Apso's or Shitzus. For most people they are allergic to the dander not the fur. Good Luck and if anything just get on some allergy meds. :)

Trending News

How likely is it that I will develop dog allergies?

3 Answers