Pets and allergies

[lizzie_71]

This is a dilemma I have found myself in more than once in my life (I know, I'm an idiot who doesn't learn from my mistakes :embarassed. At various points I have tried options 1-3 above, but not 4. None of them are ideal.

Option 1 is great for the pet, but leaves you feeling ill all the time, which is no fun.

Option 2 just makes me crippled with guilt with putting the pet away from the family.

Option 3 is good in a way, but obviously results in losing a much loved pet, and isn't really fair on other family members.

Option 4 isn't really one I want to consider.

What would you do, or what have you done in this situation?

 

[jnenbnb]

It depends what the pet is, if its a bun or piggie then i think keeping it in a shed is fine as long as its warm and has lots of attention too. I think keeping a cat or dog in a shed is a bit mean and then they'd be better off in a new home, sorry cant be of anymore help x

 

[Toffee4ever]

I am allergic to animals and have to take anti-histamine every day.Over the years I decided that the allergies were not going to rule my life and stop me doing and having the things I enjoy.

 

[lizzie_71]

As a child, I suffered terribly due to having a cat. We kept it against doctors advice, and I spent most of my teenage years being ill, one chest infection after another.

At one point we adopted another kitten, a Persian. I was so ill, it was rehomed with an aunt.

With the piggies, I have them outside due to my asthma, but I'm wondering if I brought them in for the winter but put them on vetbed or similar, whether that might be OK.

I wish allergies didn't rule my life, but when I'm so wheezy that I can't walk my kids to school, I know I have to change something.

 

[MemberX]

I have allergies too, seasonal rhinitis hits me hard and I can't have too much Hay in the house although Timothy Hay is fine. It all depends on the allergy and how it affects you. You could keep small animals in a shed but obviously not dogs and cats. I won't let my allergy rule my life either but again it depends on how bad it is.

Sounds like you do have the allergies quite bad Lizzie, it they really are making you so low that spending time with your children is suffering then I would consider rehoming them as much as it would be upsetting for you.

 

[MemberY]

I had a severe allergy to my mums cat but to to piggies fortunately. I found I was allergic to most hay except the dustfree hay I am using now You could try changing to vetbed on top of newspaper and having hay in a hayrack, this may help?

 

[lizzie_71]

I'm wondering if dust free hay and vetbed might help? I don't think it's actually the piggies I'm allergic to because (unlike cats and rabbits) I can handle them with no ill effects.

No way would I have a cat or dog, I can't even visit my sister because she has a cat. And anyway my 7 year old has a severe dog phobia.

 

[MemberY]

I think the allergy would either be from their urine, which vetbed would help with or their bedding/hay so try the vetbed and see what difference that makes perhaps

 

[MemberX]

I'm the same allergy is from the products and not from the pigs. I would definitly try fleece or vet bed and dust free hay (I just find Timothy Hay ok) and see how you go with that.

 

[lizzie_71]

OK, been to the pet shop and bought some vetbed. It looked nothing like I imagined, it's basically carpet :o My chlidren have been cuddling it, I think they want it for their rooms :

The man in the pet shop was an absolute star and cut it to the exact size of my cage for me (I don't trust myself with a stanley knife) and even did me a cheaper deal on it. I love that pet shop, I know most of you don't approve of it because they sell animals, but they have been an invaluable source of help and advice to me since I got the guinea pigs (I bought them in that shop, and the lady had got a bit attached and was sad to see them go!).

Anyway, this afternoon I'm getting the old cage out of the shed and getting it set up with the newspaper and vetbed. Then we'll give the outdoor hutch a good clean and cover it up for the winter, ready for them to move back out in the spring.

My OH is going to be very upset, but if I move fast it'll be a fait accompli by the time he gets home from work

 

[Darky]

I think that it also depends on how severe the allergy is.

If I touch our dog, I break out in a rash - otherwise living with her is just fine.

I was also allergic to my cat Tiger, she gave me sniffled, swollen and itchy eyes, and that was horrid - but I loved her to pieces and gladly suffered it.

 

[Little M]

I think that it also depends on how severe the allergy is.

If I touch our dog, I break out in a rash - otherwise living with her is just fine.

I was also allergic to my cat Tiger, she gave me sniffled, swollen and itchy eyes, and that was horrid - but I loved her to pieces and gladly suffered it.

Yes I'm the same the dog brings me out in a rash if she lies on bare skin and one of the kittens gives me itchy eyes and the sneezes. but I wouldn't part with them for anything

 

[grommit]

My OH is allergic to almost every animal! He's fine with the hamster tho! He has to take antihistamines quite often if he's been home alot as the piggies are in the lounge but I think it's the hay rather than the actual piggies. One of you said timothy hay doesnt bother you so i might try that. My friend at work is very badly allergic, She popped round last christmas and gave the girls a cuddle for 2 minutes and her one eye swelled up so bad she could hardly see through it! felt really bad for her :embarassed:

 

[xXx Mary n Midge xXx]

I'm not really allergic to the animals but i am VERY allergic to hay! My chest tightens up so its hard to breathe and the sneezing is never ending, i have one house bunny and two piggies living in my bedroom. TBH i just live with it, i find that once the hay is in the cages and has settled down a bit its not so bad. I also use vetbed on the floors of their cages and then the hay is in racks/litter trays O0

 

[summerleaze]

Have heard good reports on Petal Cleanse, may be worth a try for those with allergies

http://www.bio-life.co.uk/

 

[Lez]

as many allergies i have, suprisingly pets isnt one of them!

both my mum and brother are allergic to pets thouh. both are allergic to cats and dogs, my mum is alleric to birds too. neither are allergic to piggies however.

when they visit they handle my piggies with no problems, and have actually agreed i can take my piggies with me when i visit the faily for xmas (i cant leave them in derby as ill be away too long)

every other pet we had when we were a kid was rehomed sooner or later due to allergies, so i couldnt wait to get a pet this year!