Do Furry Friends Make You Sneeze?

Brought to you by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Many people think animal allergies are caused by the fur or feathers of their pet. In fact, allergies are actually aggravated by:

• Proteins secreted by oil glands and shed as dander
• Proteins in saliva (which stick to fur when animals lick themselves)
• Aerosolized urine from rodents and guinea pigs

Keep in mind that you can sneeze with and without your pet being present. Although an animal may be out of sight, their allergens aren’t. This is because pet allergens are carried on very small particles. As a result, pet allergens can remain circulating in the air and remain on carpets and furniture for weeks and months after a pet is gone. Allergens may also be present in schools and public buildings where there are no pets.

Preventive Strategies

• Remove pets from your home if possible
• Keep pets out of bedrooms and confined to areas without carpets or upholstered furniture
• If possible, bathe pets weekly to reduce the amount of allergens
• Wear a dust mask and gloves when near rodents
• After playing with your pet, wash your hands and clean your clothes to remove pet allergens
• Avoid contact with soiled litter cages
• Dust often with a damp cloth

With these simple steps, it’s possible to enjoy pets without having to suffer an allergy attack.

For more information, please visit www.niehs.nih.gov.