In my previous blog I stated what it means to be allergic to your pet, or your housemate’s pet, and shared a few facts about this condition. As promised, this blog will focus on causes, symptoms, diagnostic, and treatment of pet allergies. (A link to my previous blog can be found at the bottom of the page)

So let me jump right into it… Causes: the immune system’s job is to protect us from harmful viruses and diseases. In people with pet allergies, the immune system is more sensitive than in people without the allergies. What this means is that the immune system reacts to perfectly harmless proteins that can be found in the pet’s dander, saliva, or urine. The proteins that cause the allergic reaction are called allergens.

Have any of you been in this situation? You move in with someone new and all of a sudden you both realize your roommate is allergic to your pet? This happened to me last year. I have an amazing, sweet, and gentle cat. His only flaw is actually my fault, I spoil my pets. All my friends love him and he is very friendly. Sounds like the best pet, right?!? It turns out my new roommate did not seem to agree. Immediately after moving in together my roommate’s eyes started being perpetually watery and he seemed to never stop sneezing. To be honest I hoped it was the flu (not very nice of me, I know). Turns out, he is allergic to cats. And at this point in time is where the arguments between the two of us started.

His family never had any pets so I guess he did not understand what my pet means to me. He kept asking me to get rid of it like it was nothing. He said I could give him to my parents to look after, or a friend, or my sister. Would you give your baby up?! No, I did not think so, and neither would I. Obviously I could not just sit there doing nothing so the two of us started doing research online to try and fix our little problem. We found quite a bit of information on the topic and this is what I will be sharing with you in my next few blogs. This first blog is more of a pet allergy overview and another one will follow shortly with treatment options and advice from my personal story.