The Truth About Pet Allergies

Learn where allergens live, how they vary between breeds and more

By Sakina S. Bajowala, MD

woman with cat

Photo by: Shutterstock

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It’s not the hair. The allergen is a protein that’s found in saliva, urine, oil glands and dead skin cells, so a short-haired dog or hairless cat isn’t always “safer.”


The amount of allergen varies from animal to animal, not by the breed or species. You could play with your sister’s schnauzer for hours without so much as a sniffle but break into hives upon meeting your neighbor’s.
