Cat and Dog Dander

Contrary to what you might have heard, it’s not the cat or dog’s fur that causes allergic reactions. Allergic reactions are typically caused by a protein that is found in the animal’s saliva, urine, and dander (the dead skin scales that are constantly released into the environment). These skin scales are similar to dandruff, but they’re much smaller—small enough to float in the air.

And in case you’re thinking that your non-shedding pet can’t possibly be the culprit, know that there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog or cat. Allergies can occur whether your furry pet has long hair or short, or sheds a lot or a little, although a tiny dog like a Chihuahua likely produces less dander than a large dog like a Golden Retriever.

It’s not necessary for the animal to be present in order for a person’s allergies to be triggered.  Dog and other furry pet allergens can linger in a house for a year or more after the pet is gone. Allergic individuals may experience symptoms caused by dander from pets that inhabited their houses before they did, especially since dogs or cats are present in 70 percent of all households. The Family Air Care Indoor Allergens and Mold Test Kit includes tests for dog and cat dander for all home, so you can learn if these pet danders are present in high quantities or not—whether or not a pet lives with you.

Up to 10 percent of the general population, and 40 percent of people who have been diagnosed with allergies are allergic to dogs and cats. Additionally, between 20 percent and 30 percent of people with asthma also have dog or cat allergies. In fact, a recent National Institutes of Health study concluded that 30 percent of all asthma cases are attributable to cat allergies.

Anyone who has already been diagnosed with allergies to anything at all should think twice before getting a furry pet. Animal allergies can develop with exposure even in previously non-allergic individuals, taking up to 2 years to develop after the pet’s been introduced.

Cat Allergies

Cat allergies are more common—and often more severe—than dog allergies. Cats lick and groom themselves frequently. The saliva that accumulates on their fur can dry and go become airborne, causing allergic reactions when it’s inhaled. And cat dander is smaller and stickier than dog dander, so it’s easy for it to accumulate on porous surfaces.

People often unwittingly transport cat dander from place to place on coats and shoes.

Allergic individuals have been known to have allergic reactions to cats just from working with cat-owning coworkers carrying cat allergens on their clothing.