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Pet Allergy
The most common pet allergies include:
- Dogs and cats: Your pet doesn’t set off an allergic reaction— it’s what’s trapped in their hair or fur. Saliva, sweat, pee, and dander (dead skin cells) can all trigger allergies. Pet fur also traps mold, pollen, and other outdoor allergens that make you sneeze and your eyes
- Small rodents and rabbits: Despite their small size, the hair, dander, and saliva on the fur of these animals can set off an allergic reaction. And the urine of rodents like gerbils, mice, and hamsters also has chemicals some people are allergic to. These get into the air as your pet moves around its cage or bedding.
- Birds: Mites that live in bird feathers are a common allergen. The fine dust in bird droppings can trigger a reaction, too.
- Horses: It’s rare, but in some people, the allergen in horse dander can cause a life-threatening reaction. Children are most at risk.
