How do you reciprocate if you friends cannot be exposed to your pets?

I was going to suggest taking them out to eat until I saw the details. Now you're making me think harder. If they invite you over, you can offer to bring things so they don't do all the cooking. For instance, if they're making the main course for the meal, you could bring dessert and a salad. Or if the weather is nice and you can eat outside without triggering their daughter's allergies, you could have them over for a picnic BBQ in your back yard or something.

I think you've done all you can do. We have pets and invite people over all the time, but let them know we had animals so they can decline if needed. We've had friends that only reciprocate by taking us to a restaurant because they don't really cook/entertain. I spend alot and put alot into it when we have people over, so I don't feel at all badly when they take us to a restaurant in return.

I think it's fine to take people out to dinner, you don't have to invite people into your home. I live out of the way & have a very small, one-room apartment (could afford bigger but I don't want to, since I'm single and what would I do with an entire house all those days I'm not entertaining, it's big, empty, needs cleaning... :)). I don't even have a proper dinner table. If I want to entertain I do so in the yard in summer, or in a restaurant, I don't feel bad about that.

If they are good friends, they will understand that you can't reciprocate at your house. How about suggesting that you bring dinner over to their house? Sort of cater their dinner? That might be a fun time. They can sit and rest and you two can do all the work and serving, etc. Good luck!

I honestly think taking them out for dinner is the solution, unless they come without their daughter. Just explain to them how upset you felt because their daughter became ill from your pet, I am sure that they will understand. Remember that they don't want their daughter ill either.

A cook out.