While they might be seen as the most loyal and affectionate pets on the planet, dogs can also trigger allergy symptoms. In fact, cat and dog allergies are said to affect up to 20% of the world’s population.

So, why are some people allergic – or become allergic – to dogs and not others? And what can you do to help prevent your symptoms from potentially ruining your next encounter with a four-legged friend? Well, you’re in the right place to find out. 

What is a dog allergy?

Some people are more sensitive and react to things that other people would normally find harmless, such as pollen , dust or animal fur. These are better known as allergens, and refer to various substances that can trigger an allergic reaction if you come into contact with them or find yourself within their vicinity.

For instance, people who are allergic to dogs may start to experience a wide variety of symptoms when they find themselves around a dog’s fur, saliva or dander (shed skin particles).

In fact, dog and cat hair are the most common animal allergens and can cause year-round symptoms.

What are the symptoms of a dog allergy?

If you have a dog allergy and you find yourself around dog allergens (even in places where there isn’t a dog around), your body will mistakenly recognise the allergen as a harmful substance and react. This will kick your immune system into gear and cause it to release a variety of antibodies and substances, including a chemical known as histamine .

It’s this chemical which is responsible for causing many of the common symptoms associated with allergic reactions, including allergic rhinitis – a condition where your nose gets irritated by something you’re allergic to (in this case, dogs).

This can lead to a variety of symptoms within minutes of being exposed to the allergen, including:

• Sneezing
• Itchy, runny or blocked nose
• Coughing
• The roof of your mouth becoming itchy
• Red, watery and itchy eyes
• Skin rashes or hives
• Eczema flare-up

If you have asthma and are allergic to dogs, you may also notice your symptoms get worse when you’re around them or perhaps even several hours after. This may lead to other symptoms, including wheezing, breathlessness, a whistling sound when breathing and a tight chest.

You’ll need to speak to your doctor to determine whether these symptoms were brought on because of a pet allergy. They’ll be able to work with you to find the best treatment to combat your specific allergic asthma symptoms.

What causes a dog allergy? 

While many people believe that it’s a dog’s fur that causes an allergic reaction, it’s actually the proteins found in dog saliva, urine or dander that cause allergies.

In fact, over 70% of people with dog allergies are allergic to proteins found specifically in dog saliva!

These proteins can also be spread incredibly easily from dogs to soft furnishings like clothes, sofas and bedding. They’re also very stubborn and can stay in – and on – places long after the dog has actually been there.

This effectively means that you may not only have these allergens land on your skin without realising but also experience an allergic reaction – even when the dog itself isn’t around.

Can you develop a dog allergy later in life? 

If you’re wondering whether a dog allergy can develop later in life, the answer is yes, they can. According to Allergy UK, it’s perfectly possible to develop an allergy to an animal or pet at any time in life, even if you’ve owned it for a considerable length of time or it doesn’t actually live in your home.

While the exact reason for this remains a topic of research, the fact that animal allergens can be dispersed into the wider environment through hair, dander and fluids like saliva means you can potentially come into contact with them anywhere you spend your time.

What are the complications of living with a dog allergy? 

For some people, dog allergies can lead to further complications. For example, living with allergic rhinitis may impact your home, work and social life. It may also potentially affect your sleep and lead to the development of nasal polyps, sinusitis , allergic conjunctivitis and middle ear blockages.

That said, these issues can often be treated with medication. Surgery may sometimes be needed in severe or long-term cases.

Being allergic to dogs may also increase your likelihood of developing asthma, since allergic rhinitis is one of its risk factors. So, it’s important to seek professional advice if you’re concerned about any symptoms you’re experiencing. 

How do you test for dog allergies? 

If you think you might be allergic to dogs and would like to confirm this for yourself, you’ll need to speak to your doctor to arrange a dog allergy test.

After discussing the symptoms you’ve been experiencing, they may refer you for an allergy test.1,11 This will typically involve having a blood test to check for a specific antibody that, if you are allergic, will be released when you come into contact with a dog allergen.

Your doctor may also use what’s known as a skin prick or patch test, which involves applying a small amount of the allergen onto your skin to see how you react. If your skin turns red and itchy, this could indicate that you’re allergic and require treatment.

It’s also important to note that dog allergies are considered more difficult to diagnose than other types of allergies, like cats or dust mites . This is thought to be because there are various things within the skin or fur of dogs that can cause allergies, and the tests doctors use aren’t always effective at finding them.

What treatments are available for dog allergies?

There are a wide variety of treatments available to help prevent the symptoms brought on by having a dog allergy. For example, you can pick up over-the-counter medicines at your local pharmacy that are specifically designed to target the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

These come in a variety of forms, including:

• Antihistamines: these block the effect of histamine, which causes allergy symptoms
• Decongestant nasal sprays or drops: these can help clear your blocked nose
• Saltwater nasal sprays or solutions: these can be used to rinse out your nasal passages
• Inhaled steroids (corticosteroids): these help reduce inflammation and various allergy symptoms

Knowing which type of treatment is right for you will depend on, firstly, which symptoms you have and, secondly, how severe your symptoms are.

Clarityn® Allergy Tablets offer a prescription-strength, antihistamine that is non-drowsy in most people and can provide 24-hour allergy relief from symptoms caused by over 150 airborne allergens, including dog-related ones.

Clarinaze® Allergy Control Nasal Spray can also provide you with prescription-strength relief from symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing and a runny nose.

However, it’s important to remember that these types of medications won’t cure your allergy – they can only treat the symptoms.

So, if you find that using them isn’t helping or is making your symptoms worse, speak to your doctor for their advice. They may need to refer you to a specialist or set you up with an allergy management plan.

How to prevent dog allergies 

Now we know what dog allergies are, why they’re caused and how they can be treated, the final question to ask is: what can you do to help prevent allergic reactions from occurring?

To do this effectively, we recommend reducing your exposure at home (if applicable), as well as when you’re out and about.

With this in mind, here’s what bodies like the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the NHS and Allergy UK advise you to do.

Helping to prevent allergy symptoms around the home

• Limit where your dog can go in your house (i.e. don’t let it in your bedroom)
• Don’t let your dog sit or sleep on sofas, cushions or beds within the home
• Use hypoallergenic bedding and covers
• Wash your bedding regularly at 60°C or above
• Regularly wash any surfaces your dog comes into contact with
• Dust with a damp cloth
• Use a vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter
• Wash hard floor surfaces with hot, soapy water
• Regularly wash your dog’s bedding
• Use an air purifier to help reduce indoor airborne allergens

Prevention outside the home

• Avoid contact with dogs (such as touching the pet or being in the same room)
• Avoid visiting any homes or areas where dogs live
• Groom your dogs outside regularly (ask a person who’s not allergic for help!)
• Wash your hands after touching or being licked by a dog

It’s also important to note that there’s no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog (a dog that’s unlikely to cause an allergic reaction).

While some dog breeds, such as goldendoodles, labradoodles and poodles, are often described as hypoallergenic, all dogs produce allergenic proteins to some degree. So, even so-called hypoallergenic breeds can trigger a reaction if you’re allergic, despite shedding a lot less than others.

To learn more about dog allergies, including some more tips on how to prevent them, take a look at Allergy UK’s animal allergy factsheet. Alternatively, scroll down a little further to discover some more of our own great articles, including what to do if you’re allergic to the dog’s arch-nemesis: cats.