Do Hypoallergenic Pets Truly Exist?

For those who experience watery eyes and a runny nose just by being near a dog or cat, the idea of a pet that doesn’t trigger allergies sounds like a dream—especially when 10 to 20 percent of people worldwide suffer from pet allergies, and 70 percent of households in the U.S. own a pet. Sadly, a completely hypoallergenic animal is not a reality.

What Triggers Pet Allergies?

“There’s no such thing as a pet that’s universally hypoallergenic,” says Dr. Payel Gupta, a board-certified allergist and the medical director of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at LifeMD.com, in an interview with Mytour. “One dog may not trigger allergies for one person, but the same dog might cause reactions in another.” In reality, all breeds of dogs and cats can provoke allergy symptoms.

Gupta cautions that breeders mislead customers by advertising certain pets as “allergy-free,” which is simply false. “Breeds typically thought to be hypoallergenic, such as poodles, are marketed this way because they shed less than other breeds,” she explains. “However, that doesn’t make them hypoallergenic. If you're allergic to dogs or cats, any pet could potentially trigger a reaction.”

Shedding isn't even the main factor when determining whether a pet is likely to cause allergies.

“While many people believe allergies are caused by a dog or cat’s fur, the actual cause is a protein found in their saliva, tears, dander, and urine,” says Gupta. When a pet licks itself or urinates, these proteins attach to their hair or fur. Shedding may distribute these proteins throughout your home, but so can the release of dander, which consists of dead skin cells similar to human dandruff. Pet hair and fur can also carry other common allergens, such as dust mites, mold, and pollen, but Gupta emphasizes, “the hair and fur are not the allergen.”

Misunderstandings about pet allergies can lead to problems. 

“I’ve seen families get dogs that are labeled ‘hypoallergenic’ only to discover the dog triggers allergies in their child,” Gupta explains. “Then the family member with pet allergies suffers health issues, which can be serious—causing trouble breathing, and eventually leading to the need for multiple medications, each with potential side effects, just to stay healthy around the pet.”

How to Manage Pet Allergies

Melanie Carver, Chief Mission Officer of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, advises prospective pet owners with allergies to consult an allergist before introducing a new pet to their household. “It depends on each individual’s tolerance and specific allergy triggers,” she explains. “Depending on your condition, there might be solutions. For example, those allergic to a particular protein in cat saliva might benefit from special cat food that helps neutralize it.”

Gupta also recommends fostering a pet before making a permanent decision to add a new family member. “Spending just a few minutes with a pet in a store won’t necessarily trigger an allergy,” she notes. “The only way to really know if you’ll react to one dog or cat over another is by living with the pet.”

For individuals who have allergic reactions to all pets, Carver provides additional advice: “Managing pet allergies involves minimizing exposure to allergens by keeping pets out of bedrooms or sleeping areas, wearing a mask while grooming your pet (preferably outdoors), and washing your hands after interacting with your pet.” Regular cleaning of your home, choosing hard floors instead of carpet, and bathing your pet as needed can also help. As Gupta points out, “Not all animals should be bathed frequently, and we must also ensure the safety of our pets.”