Family pets can trigger asthma in some people. Allergens can be found in their saliva, hair, urine and dander (dead skin flakes) and are carried in the air on very small particles. Dander, which is shed on carpet and upholstery, is also a food source for the dust mite, another common trigger.
Asthma symptoms may occur within minutes of being exposed to the pet-related triggers, but for some people symptoms may build up over several hours and be most severe 12 hours after initial contact with the pet.
If a pet comes inside, its dander and fur can become part of household dust and are present even when the animal is outside.
In general, cats produce more severe allergic reactions than dogs as they tend to stay indoors for longer. Other pets do not seem to produce such potent allergens, but dogs, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats and mice all carry allergens that can trigger asthma. There are ways to minimise exposure to allergens in pets, but in some cases it may be necessary to re-home your pet:
If possible, try to find someone without allergies to groom your pet and ask them to do this outside so that any loose hair and allergens stay outside the home. The animal's litter box or crate should be cleaned out regularly and again, this is a task for a non-allergic person.
Pet allergens accumulate in areas such as carpets, mattresses, cushions and curtains as well as flat surfaces. The allergen particles are so small that they pass through fabric. It can be a good idea to cover mattresses, pillows and cushions with dust protection covers.
