Some people are sadly allergic to dogs. Depending on the severity, this allergy can make it difficult for them to be a dog owner. Dog allergies can also minimize the joy a dog owner can experience by limiting pet contact, breed choice, or functionality around their pups.
But what about dogs? If people can be allergic to dogs, could a dog be allergic to their owner?
If your dog is showing signs of an allergy, and you haven’t been able to determine what’s causing their excessive sneezing, it may be time to think about other causes.
Lets’ learn more about a dog’s allergy to humans and what the deep cause is that triggers the allergy.
What Causes Your Dog to Have People Allergies?
Yes, just like people, dogs can experience allergies to various things. Each individual dog can be more sensitive to different things. Some examples are:
- Pollen
- Perfumes
- Food
- Mold spores
- Storage mites
- Dust
- Cleaning chemicals
- New paint
Yes, dogs can also be allergic to animal dander and people carry dander as well. Dander is made up of tiny particles of skin shed by mammals and birds, and it’s the proteins attached to the dander that cause allergic reactions. Humans are the perfect vehicle to carry animal dander and oftentimes we aren’t aware of how much dander we are really carrying.
According to the American Kennel Club, there has been an increase in dogs having reactions to human dander. Veterinarian Valerie Fadok believes this is because of several changing factors in the human/animal dynamic.
Let’s look at a few of them closely:
Co-Sleeping
Prior to modern flea and tick control, few pet owners allowed their pets to share their bed. Now, dogs and cats have become closer to their families, and pet parents enjoy co-sleeping with their pets. This more frequent exposure to allergy-causing dander can lead to more allergies on the part of pets and pet parents both.
Allergy Testing
Previously, dogs and cats weren’t being tested for human allergies. That didn’t mean that it didn’t exist before now, just that there wasn’t enough awareness of the potential. Now, vets are aware of the possibility of pets being allergic to “people” and are able to conduct more comprehensive allergy tests on dogs and cats.
Allergy Symptoms
Allergies can resemble other illnesses, like a common cold or even kennel cough. It’s not always easy to determine what is causing Fido’s constant sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Common allergy symptoms that dogs may exhibit are:
- Scratching/licking
- Runny nose or eyes
- Sneezing
- Hives
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss
- Itchy or crusted skin
- Recurring ear or skin infections
If your pup has been showing signs of an allergy for a long time, and your vet has determined there’s no other culprit, it may be time to consider testing for allergies. Just because your dog may have an allergy, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re allergic to you. Allergy symptoms are the same no matter what the allergy is.
Cause of Dog Allergies
If your dog is showing symptoms and signs of having an allergy, how can you tell if he’s allergic to you? As with all allergies, you have to start narrowing down reasons. If your dog’s symptoms are not seasonal, and if you’ve ruled out dietary allergies, here are some ways to find out if your dog has a people allergy:
Lessening Human Contact
Dogs share so much of our homes and lives, it’s difficult to rule out human contact. If you have a way to keep your dog in a kennel or outdoors away from you for more than a week, you can see if your pup’s allergies have improved during that time. If so, and if the symptoms return once they’re back home and around you, it’s possible your dog is allergic to you.
Intradermal Allergy Testing
A veterinary dermatologist can determine which allergens are causing your pup the sniffles by performing intradermal allergy testing. Intradermal testing does usually require sedation, but can be swift and pain-free. It involves making numerous small injections of potential allergens in specific spots on your dog’s abdomen or side.
Whichever allergen your dog is allergic to will cause the spots to become reddened and inflamed. If a human allergen spot becomes inflamed, it means that your dog is allergic to you. Not you, specifically, but people in general. Or rather, the dander attached to people.
The downside to intradermal testing is that your dog can’t be on any medications that would reduce allergy reactions.
Other Tests
Blood serum, fur, and saliva allergy tests are also available. Although they’re less costly, they’re not considered to be as accurate as intradermal testing. Out of the three other allergy tests, Dr. Fadok recommends the blood serum allergy test as having the most accuracy for testing human dander.
What If My Dog is Allergic to Me?
If the allergy tests determine that Fido does indeed have an allergy to you, it may feel like the end of the world. When people find out they’re allergic to their pets, they may have to consider rehoming their pet to alleviate their symptoms, or resign themselves to a lifetime of allergy medications.
However, you and your pup may have such a close bond that separation is not the answer. Forcing Fido to live outdoors or in a kennel, especially if your dog is used to living indoors, can also be too difficult for both pet and pet parent.
Dog allergies are similar to people allergies in that there are steps you can take to lessen allergy symptoms. You can:
- Clean and vacuum the house as much as possible.
- Alleviate all non-washable rugs, upholstery, and fabric from the living spaces.
- Bathe and shampoo often.
- Open windows to increase fresh air in the house, and try air purifiers.
- Don’t co-sleep, and change your bedding frequently if your pup lounges on your sleeping space during the day.
You can also give your dog allergy shots and antihistamines to help get rid of the symptoms. Doggie vitamins and supplements, especially those that contain Omega-3 and Omega-6, can help reduce inflammation. Hypoallergenic shampoo, medications like cyclosporine, and cortisone cream can all help your pup’s skin feel better and reduce itching and inflammation.
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Final Thoughts
Your dog doesn’t know that he’s allergic to you. He just knows that he loves you. If it were up to him, he would choose to spend more time with you and keep his runny nose. Don’t give up hope if you find out your pup has a people allergy. Just give him a big hug and kiss, then roll up your sleeves and get busy helping your pup enjoy his time with youOnce you and your pup have gotten through all the hard vet visits and tests, you can get back to pampering and loving your furry kid!