Pet dander is composed of tiny flecks of skin shed by animals with fur or feathers, such as cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, and birds. Pet dander can trigger an allergy, and it is the most common source of a pet allergy. Animals without fur, like reptiles, amphibians, and fish, do not shed dander, so they have less of a chance of triggering an allergic reaction. Pet dander and other pet allergens may linger in the air for a longer time than other allergens because they are microscopic and jagged in shape, making it easy for them to become airborne and stick to furniture, bedding, fabrics, and even be carried on items into and out of the home.

Pet dander can cause allergy symptoms consistent with hay fever, such as a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and shortness of breath. Coming into physical contact with pet dander can cause contact dermatitis, or a skin rash, hives, or trigger a person’s asthma.

To limit pet dander and avoid allergies, there are several ways to reduce exposure to pet dander, including:

• Bathe your pet weekly to shed dead skin cells off your pet and limit the amount of pet dander that your animal releases.
• Use products that are labeled specifically for your pet, and ask your veterinarian or another animal care professional for their shampoo recommendations.
• Vacuum and dust regularly to remove pet dander and other allergens from your home.
• Use air purifiers with HEPA filters to capture pet dander and other allergens from the air.
• Keep pets out of certain areas of your home, such as bedrooms, to reduce exposure to pet dander.

If your symptoms are not controlled, talk to your healthcare provider about medications. Many over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants will do the trick, but in severe cases, corticosteroids or leukotriene modifiers may be helpful. Talking to an allergist and getting an allergy test is the best way to determine what is causing your allergy symptoms and how to manage them.