Best Breeds for Allergic Children

My child has allergic reactions to only certain cats and dogs. What are the best breeds for us to consider now that we want a pet?

Your child is probably allergic to those breeds of dogs and cats that produce the most dander, or skin flakes. The less dander generated, the less likely the pet is to provoke an allergic reaction in people.

In the dog world, the most cautious choices are the Maltese, bichon frise and poodle; if you'd prefer a cat, your best bet is either the sphinx or rex. These are all breeds that hardly shed and therefore leave little or no skin residue around the house. Unfortunately, many people are allergic to a pet's saliva and you can't predict which breed is safest in that regard.

I recommend visiting the pet with your child prior to agreeing to the adoption or purchase. Let your child and the pet interact for a few hours to see if your child develops any allergic reactions. Even breeds you've had success with in the past can prove problematic with a new pet of the same breed. Last month I had a situation where a pug puppy was purchased by a family who already had an adult pug. After two days, their two-year-old son developed severe asthmatic bronchitis and the puppy had to be returned. Aside from the dangerous reaction, it was heartbreaking for the children to have to give back their new dog. Ask if you'd be allowed a two-week trial with the pet. Explain to the children that the pet is just visiting at first in order to avoid disappointment if it doesn't work out.

Signs of allergies include sneezing, coughing, runny nose, irritated eyes, skin rashes and itch. A rash will often develop in someone immediately following contact with the pet, or at the exact spot where the person's been licked.

If allergies are mild, here are some things you can do to lessen symptoms:

• Avoid sharing your bed with the pet. Since you spend eight hours or so in one place, you're asking for trouble if that space is also occupied by the allergy source. Provide a comfortable sleeping area for your pet outside your bedroom.

• Provide adequate ventilation. Good air circulation and air purifiers will reduce the amount of dander in your home.

• Reduce the amount of dander on your pet. Look into products that moisturize dogs' and cats' skin. They're available in oral (vitamins containing fatty acids) or topical (spray-on moisturizers, cream rinses or dips) form. It's also a good idea to keep your home comfortably humid. Shedding and dander production are worst in the winter when the heat is blasting and in the summer when air-conditioning is on at full force. Remember, if your home seems dry to you--if you have dry skin or a dry throat—then it's worse for pets who spend almost all of their time indoors.

• Try products to relieve contact allergies. Some sponge-on solutions available in pet stores help to reduce allergic reactions at the point of contact. The weekly off-label use of liquid fabric softener diluted in 10 parts water as a cream rinse on your pet (do not rinse off with water) also helps to reduce allergic reactions.

FYI
People who are around a lot of parakeets and pigeons might suffer from "Pigeon Breeder's disease"--an allergic reaction to the birds characterized by chills, fever, and shortness of breath.

Dr. Peter Kross, DVM, has had his own veterinary practice, the Rivergate Veterinary Clinic in New York City, since 1989. He lives in Manhattan with his three white boxers, Buchanan, Wilhelmina and Laila.