Cat and dog allergy – why symptoms occur and how indoor air helps

For many, pets are family members, but for some they cause allergy symptoms. There are small differences between cat and dog allergy that are worth knowing. In this article we look at why symptoms occur and how managing your indoor air can make life with a pet easier.

The allergens aren't in the fur

A common misconception is that pet allergy comes from fur. According to the Finnish Allergy, Skin and Asthma Federation, the allergens are in the animal's dander and secretions – not in the fur itself. The fur mainly acts as a carrier that allergens stick to and spread around the home with.

This also explains why the length or amount of fur alone doesn't determine how allergenic an animal is.

The differences between cat and dog allergy

Both cats and dogs can cause allergy, but a few differences are worth knowing:

- The cat's main allergen is the protein Fel d 1, found especially in saliva and dander. All cats produce it regardless of breed, sex, age or whether the cat is neutered – which is why there are really no completely "allergy-free" cat breeds.

- Dogs have several allergens, and the allergen level can vary between individuals. With dogs, too, no breed is guaranteed to be allergy-free.

- According to the Finnish Allergy, Skin and Asthma Federation, cats often trigger symptoms more readily than dogs, and in Western countries cat allergy is at least as common as – or slightly more common than – dog allergy.

- Cross-allergy is possible: someone allergic to cats may also get symptoms from dogs.

It's important to remember that symptoms are individual: the same pet can cause strong symptoms in one person and none at all in another.

How do indoor air and filtration help?

Pet allergens are very small and light, so they float in the air and settle on surfaces and textiles. There are several ways to address this:

- Effective ventilation and supply-air filtration reduce the amount of particles floating in the air. A fine filter class (e.g. an ePM1-class filter) also captures small particles.

- Regular cleaning and vacuuming reduce the build-up of dander and allergens – a central vacuum carries the dust out of the living spaces.

- Activated carbon filtration helps with odours from pets (a particle filter doesn't remove odours).

- A pet-free bedroom and regular washing of textiles reduce exposure.

A handy rule of thumb: filtration and cleaning don't cure allergy, but they can reduce exposure and ease symptoms.

Summary

Both cats and dogs can cause allergy, and the allergens are in dander and secretions – not in the fur. The cat allergen Fel d 1 is a common cause of symptoms, but individual variation is large. Good ventilation, effective filtration and regular cleaning are a pet family's best ways to keep indoor air pleasant.

Would you like to improve your home's filtration in a pet family? Contact Suodatinkeskus – we'll help you find a suitable filter for your ventilation unit.

Sources: the Finnish Allergy, Skin and Asthma Federation (allergia.fi, pet allergies). The information is general in nature; this text does not replace an assessment by a doctor or allergy specialist. Symptoms are individual.