Children’s Allergy To Dogs

Children and dogs can be great companions, but what if your dog makes your child itch andsneeze? You can still own a dog in spite of your children’s allergy, but you just need to be more selective on what breed to choose.

The cause of your children’s allergy is usually either the dog’s saliva, hair or dander. Dander is the skin flakes and scurf that’s constantly shed from a dog’s skin. Symptoms of allergy to dogs include red and itchy eyes, a runny congested nose, sneezing and wheezing.

Usually, the less hair a dog has, the less it will trigger your children’s allergy, so choose either a hairless breed, or a single coated breed.

The hairless breeds are quite unusual, and include the Mexican Hairless Dog and the Chinese Crested Dog.
Single coated breeds that may be okay with your children’s allergy include poodles or schnauzers. Speak to your vet and to dog breeders to find an ideal breed for your family.

There are medications that can treat your children’s allergy to dogs. Also, regular bathing of the dog, and vacuuming up dog hair and dander can also reduce symptoms.

If the allergy is particularly severe, you can have desensitising injections made which can stop your child reacting to the allergen.