Can 'Hypoallergenic' Dogs Still Trigger Allergies?

Spoiler alert: Yes, breeds of dogs said to be hypoallergenic can still set off your allergies -- but they may be better for you than other breeds. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to brain Stuff production of iHeart Radio. Hey brain
Stuff Lauren Boga Bam here with the appeal of all
cuddles and no allergic reactions, hypoallergenic dogs seem like the
obvious choice for animal lovers who are somehow sensitive to
those wet noses and wagging tails. But are these hypoallergenic
dogs too good to be true? The truth is many

(00:25):
specific breeds of pups touted as hypoallergenic don't shed fur,
and because of this trait, some breeders promise these dogs
won't trigger any allergies at all, except they can, so
what gives. It's not actually a dog's fur that's responsible
for humans allergic reactions. It's what's stuck on the fur
that causes are sneezing or asthma attacks. People who are

(00:47):
allergic to dogs and cats too, for that matter, are
triggered by protein in the animals saliva and urine that
sticks to the animals fur and skin. When a dog
sheds its fur and dander or dry skin flakes, that
alle g inducing protein is released into the air. That's
why non shedding breeds tend to lessen allergic reactions and
humans no shedding means fewer of those allergen inducing proteins

(01:10):
are released, but no dog breed is entirely hypoallergenic. It's
a marketing term more than a medical term. But while
hypoallergenic maybe a fluff term, having a non shedding breed
is totally helpful for people that have allergies and who
want a dog too. The American Kennel Club reports that
many less allergenic breeds do produce less dander. This, paired

(01:34):
with the fact that these dogs don't shed, makes several
breeds a good fit for people prone to allergies, including
Afghan hounds, Irish water spaniels, Maltese poodles, Portuguese water dogs, schnauzers,
and mixes of the above. On the other hand, some
breeds can produce more of that protein and shed more.
Labrador retrievers, for example, can quote Greek havoc on your allergies.

(01:56):
According to the American Kennel Club that said, it's not
one size fits all solution. We spoke with Melanie Carver,
vice president of Community Health for the Asthma and Allergy
Foundation of America. She said some people with a dog
dander allergy may be less reactive or have less symptoms
to dander from certain breeds. Allergy testing cannot determine which

(02:18):
breeds may work better for you than others. The only
way to determine if you can tolerate being around a
certain breed is to have direct, repeated exposure to a
dog and see how your body reacts. While the typical
signs of pet allergies may seem obvious sneezing, scratchy throad,
or itchy eyes, several lesser known symptoms can also appear.

(02:39):
If you're doing a test a round with a pup,
be on the lookout for facial pressure and pain, swollen
blue tinted skin beneath your eyes, and excessive coughing. These
symptoms are similar to allergies caused by hay fever. They're
caused by the inflammation of nasal passages. Other allergic reactions
could affect the skin, resulting in hives, eczema, and general itchiness.

(03:01):
In the most serious cases. PET allergies can also contribute
to asthmatic reactions like chest tightness, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and
trouble sleeping. Many pet allergy warning signs resemble symptoms of
a regular cold symptoms that last beyond two weeks are
likely allergies and therefore a red flag. In some severe cases,

(03:21):
it's impossible to find a dog that doesn't trigger allergies,
but more often than not, a few trials can lead
to the perfect pub. Breed plays the biggest role, but
several other factors such as dog size, can help or
hurt allergy prone owners. Big dogs produce more dander and saliva,
for instance, and small dogs are simply easier to bathe
and groom. Frequent grooming, which is required for any non

(03:44):
shedding dog, is one way to stay ahead of allergies.
Another recommendation is setting ground rules when it comes to
lounge time. The American Kennel Club suggests keeping pets off
the bed and washing their pet beds regularly. It also
recommends ditching heavy carpets and drapes that are known to
trap and hold on to dander. Carver also suggests brushing

(04:04):
and grooming your pet outside, vacuuming regularly, and washing your
hands and changing clothes after playing with your pup. It's
not all dooming gloom for those who have pet allergies.
Several types of medicines can help owners further manage their
allergy symptoms. Over the counter anahistamines help relieve itching, sneezing,
and running nose, while nasal sprays can help reduce inflammation.

(04:26):
Doctors may also prescribe stronger medications for patients who have
both asthma and allergies, and other allergy treatment options include immunotherapy,
which is a series of allergy shots, and nasal irrigation
like a Nettie pot. But hey, humans aren't the only
ones who have dander allergies. Dogs can be allergic to
human dander too. Today's episode was written by Stephanie Vermillion

(04:53):
and produced by Tyler Klang. Brain Stuff is a production
of I Heart Radio's How Stuff Works. For more in
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