What to do if you’re allergic to your pet cat or dog – nasal sprays, changing their diet and more

It’s one of life’s greatest ironies when the animal that brings joy to your life is also the source of your allergy woes. Sneezing, watery eyes, stuffy or runny nose, scratchy throat, rashes and even asthmatic symptoms such as wheezing and chest tightness might be daily occurrences that you put up with in order to pat, cuddle or play with Milo.
While allergy cases involving dust mites are still the mainstay, said Dr Lim Keng Hua, a consultant ENT surgeon at Ear Nose Throat, Head & Neck Surgery Specialist, allergies to pets are increasingly becoming more common. “I have seen more patients tested positive to pets this year compared to last year.”
Dr Ker Liang, an ENT surgeon and the medical director at Aglow ENT Centre, also reported seeing “patients who are allergic to their pets quite frequently”, who seek treatment for allergic rhinitis (sensitive nose) and rhinosinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses).
Interestingly, the common cause of your snivelling situation isn’t your pet’s fur, said Dr Gwenda Lowe, the owner and veterinary surgeon at Brighton Vet Care. “The allergens from pets are mainly their saliva and secretions from their skin’s sebaceous glands, which are shed in dander aka skin flakes.”
Fur is often blamed for being a trigger as dander can be caught on the fluffy stuff, said Dr Rina Maguire, the hospital director of Beecroft Animal Specialist & Emergency Hospital. 
And sometimes, you may not be allergic to your pet at all “but rather, the house dust mites, fleas or ticks on your pets’ fur or skin”, said Dr Lim.
WHY ARE SOME OWNERS ALLERGIC BUT OTHERS AREN’T? AND WHY ARE MORE PEOPLE ALLERGIC TO CATS THAN DOGS?
It has to do with your immune system, said Dr Ker. “Some people have a hypersensitive immune response to specific proteins found in dander, saliva and other substances.”
She continued: “Generally, cat allergens are more potent and can trigger more severe reactions compared to dog allergens because cat dander contains a highly allergenic protein called Fel d 1, which can remain airborne longer”.
According to Dr Lowe, feline dander is also smaller and stickier than canine dander, so they are more likely to adhere to skin and clothes. “Cats groom themselves more than dogs, which means you may also be in contact with more saliva when you touch a cat’s skin or fur.”
And compared to dogs, cats get more access to beds, sofas, tables and countertops, said Dr Lowe. This means they shed their dander on surfaces “that would be in frequent contact with the owners’ skin and respiratory system”.
ARE THERE HYPOALLERGENIC BREEDS OF CATS AND DOGS?
“Ultimately, an allergy to one’s pet is predetermined by an individual’s genes and is not predisposed to any particular pet species,” said Dr Maguire. And while there are “less allergenic dog and cat breeds”, there is “not a single hypoallergenic breed”, she said.
“Some dogs, such as poodles and schnauzers, will shed less and produce less dander. Also, there are cats with dense fur that shed less, and some with no fur such as the sphynx,” said Dr Maguire.
Dr Lowe also agreed that there are no real hypoallergenic cat and dog breeds. “There is a perception that low-shedding breeds are hypoallergenic,” she said. “However, the primary allergens that trigger human allergies are actually found in their saliva and skin flakes, which would be present, regardless of how little fur the pet sheds. People with severe pet allergies may react even with these ‘hypoallergenic’ breeds.”
But for those with mild allergies, low-shedding breeds may help to reduce their symptoms, said Dr Lowe. “Certain cat breeds, like the Siberian, produce less Fel d 1.”
WHAT CAN PET OWNERS DO IN THEIR HOMES?
If you have mild allergies, making lifestyle changes to minimise your contact with allergens may help. For instance, having high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in your air purifier can effectively reduce pet dander and other allergens in the air, “but they are not a complete solution”, said Dr Ker. “They should be used in conjunction with other strategies such as regular cleaning and reducing pet access to certain areas.”
However, it is not a good idea to confine your pet to just one room to minimise your allergen exposure, said Dr Maguire. “The isolation will cause great stress to the animal. Wearing gloves and masks can help, but it might not be practical. It takes away the joy of spending time or cuddling with animals.”
Instead, “after petting or hugging your pet, wash your hands with soap and water”, suggested Dr Tan Wei Jie, an internist at DTAP Clinic @ Orchard. “Cleaning the house regularly with a vacuum cleaner can help to reduce allergen levels as well.”
CAN CHANGING OUR PET’S DIET HELP?
“Diet is certainly one of the better routes to improve a pet’s skin condition and, in turn, reduce its production of dander,” said Dr Maguire. “Pet owners can order a Heska test at the vet’s to find out what food types their pets are reactive to and avoid them.”
Meanwhile, Dr Lowe said that “Purina Pro Plan LiveClear is the only diet in the market proven to reduce the Fel 1 d allergen shed by cats by inactivating it via an egg protein in the diet”. “There is a proven 47 per cent efficacy rate by the third week of daily feeding,” she said.
ARE THERE WIPES AND SHAMPOOS THAT HELP TO REDUCE DANDER SHEDDING?
Wiping down your pet’s entire body is not something Dr Lowe recommends for managing your allergies. “In fact, the excessive residual moisture on their skin and coat is not going to dry well in our hot and humid climate, and will increase the risk of opportunistic infections in your pet,” she said.
Moreover, the frequent wipe-down of your pet is going to increase your contact with the allergens instead, she said. But if you’re allergic to pollen, wiping your pet before entering your home can help to minimise the amount of pollen your pet brings in, she added.
As for showering your pet, it “can help clear off some dander from your pet’s skin surface”, said Dr Lowe, especially for pets with skin conditions. “Veterinarian-prescribed shampoos may be needed to help manage the infection and thus, reduce dander shedding.”
But don’t shower your pet excessively, said Dr Lowe, “as it will dry their skin and coat, and may sometimes cause the skin to produce even more sebum”.
WHAT ABOUT ANTIHISTAMINES AND NASAL SPRAYS?
In Dr Maguire’s opinion, “the most effective solution is through the antihistamine route”. “In fact, it is not uncommon to hear of vets and vet nurses who are allergic to animals. Some of my colleagues wear masks, take medicines and some even carry an EpiPen in case of a bad reaction.”
When it comes to medicines, itchy and stuffy-nosed pet owners would know that OTC antihistamines and nasal sprays can offer some relief. “Generally, it is safe to take antihistamines long-term as long as it is within the recommended dose,” said Dr Tan.
Still, you have to be aware of antihistamines’ side effects, said Dr Lim. “Antihistamines cause dry nose, dry mouth and even urinary retention. Sedative antihistamines cause drowsiness and impair cognitive function.”
Meanwhile, antihistamines with decongestants may cause heart palpitations, and an increased heart rate and blood pressure – which you’ll want to take note of if you have hypertension or a heart condition.
Nasal sprays that contain oxymetazoline to help unblock your congested nose may seem like a godsend, but their long-term use can lead to rebound congestion, cautioned Dr Ker. (FYI: You shouldn’t use your nasal spray for more than three or four days in a row.) Also known as rhinitis medicamentosa, rebound congestion can occur when your nasal congestion worsens after using nasal decongestant sprays long-term, she said.
“When you stop using the spray, your congestion becomes more significant than before. This condition makes it hard to breathe through your nose without using more medication, creating a cycle of dependency,” said Dr Ker.
Here are some tips from Dr Rina Maguire, the hospital director of Beecroft Animal Specialist & Emergency Hospital, to minimise your pet’s skin infections, dander and feather dust, and in turn, reduce your exposure to allergens:
Rabbits and guinea pigs: Periodic grooming will help reduce flaky skin, dander, and prevent the accumulation of mites on your pet’s skin. These animals can also pick up infections such as ringworm, and this could spread and worsen your allergies.
If you notice bald patches, or excessive scaling or crusting, consult the vet to make sure it is not a dermatology problem, before starting the use of store-bought wipes and shampoos.
Birds: Twice-weekly bathing with tepid water and diluted aloe vera (non-scented and all natural), a well-balanced diet, and adequate exposure to sunlight can reduce the amount of feather dust and dander produced by your pet.
In addition, the long-term use of nasal steroid sprays may cause trauma to the nasal septum if not applied properly, said Dr Lim, leading to the thinning of the mucosa lining and nose bleeding. 
There’s also the concern that, given the proximity to the eyes, the long-term use of nasal sprays may cause trouble there. “Our eye colleagues are very worried about cataracts and glaucoma,” said Dr Lim. “Studies did not show a direct risk to those eye issues but most physicians are cautious of their long-term use.”
ANY LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS THEN?
Immunotherapy, said Dr Tan, is a form of long-term treatment that aims to decrease allergy symptoms. “There are different forms of immunotherapy, ranging from regular injections to daily oral spray. Immunotherapy is generally safe to use and treatment period is between three and five years to develop a lasting immunity,” he said.
However, it does not work for everyone, said Dr Tan. “Typically, if there is little or no improvement to the allergic symptoms three years after the initiation of immunotherapy, the treatment should be stopped. Some individuals are non-responders to immunotherapy due their immunological response.”
There are contraindications to consider, too, such as severe allergic reactions to the reagent, said Dr Lim. Individuals who have uncontrolled asthma, autoimmune diseases, cancer and those on beta-blockers aren’t suitable candidates as well.
“Patients taking beta-blockers may have their allergic reaction to the immunotherapy masked,” said Dr Lim, “Patients with uncontrolled asthma also have a higher risk of anaphylaxis if there is any adverse reaction to immunotherapy.”
He added that in patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases, immunotherapy may affect their immune responses as well as affect tumour growth and cancer outcome.