What to Do When Your Roommate Is Allergic to Your Pet

If your roommate is allergic to your dog or cat, start with a visit to an allergist and keep the pet out of their bedroom. The Mayo Clinic says “If you have a pet allergy, the best strategy is to avoid or limit exposure to the animal as much as possible.” Below is what the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), and the Mayo Clinic say about living with a pet when someone in the home is allergic, and what to do when the steps are not enough.

What your roommate is reacting to

AAFA says “When you have a pet allergy, you are not allergic to the pet’s hair, fur, or feathers. You are allergic to the protein that is found in the pet’s dander (dead skin cells) saliva, and urine.” The Mayo Clinic says dander “is very small. It can remain airborne for long periods of time with the slightest bit of air circulation. It also collects easily in upholstered furniture and sticks to your clothes.”

AAFA says “Pet allergens can be found in homes, classrooms, workplaces, and other places where pets have never been.”

Roommates react differently. AAFA says “People with pet allergies have different levels of sensitivity to pet allergens. Some people have very minor symptoms, while other people have severe symptoms.” It adds “If allergen levels are low, symptoms may not appear until after several days of contact with the pet.”

Symptoms and when your roommate should see a doctor

The Mayo Clinic lists sneezing, a runny nose, itchy, red or watery eyes, nasal congestion, a cough, and trouble sleeping among pet allergy symptoms. For a person who also has asthma, it lists difficulty breathing, chest tightness or pain, and a whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling. AAFA says “A pet allergy can trigger an asthma attack if you also have asthma.”

The Mayo Clinic says to “call a healthcare professional” when symptoms are severe, with “nasal passages feeling completely blocked, wheezing and difficulty sleeping.” It adds “Seek emergency care if wheezing or shortness of breath quickly gets worse.”

AAFA says “When you have moderate to severe allergies, it is best to see a board-certified allergist.” The AAAAI says “allergy testing performed by an allergist / immunologist is the best method to diagnose exactly what you are allergic to and to develop a personalized plan to manage your symptoms.” On treatment, it says “If you have a pet allergy, talk to your allergist / immunologist about the potential for allergy shots (immunotherapy).”

Testing matters even when the pet looks like the cause. ACAAI says “Even if you’re sure your symptoms are caused by a cat, it’s a good idea to be tested, since the symptoms may actually be caused by other environmental exposures.” It gives the same line about dogs.

Does a hypoallergenic breed solve it?

No breed of dog or cat is free of allergen. AAFA says “All dogs and cats can cause allergy symptoms. People with dog or cat allergies may tolerate some breeds more than others. People may think those breeds are “hypoallergenic,” but a truly non-allergic dog or cat does not exist.” The AAAAI says “Allergic dander in cats and dogs is not affected by length of hair or fur, nor by the amount of shedding.”

ACAAI describes a 2011 study of dust from homes with dog breeds reported to be hypoallergenic and homes with other dogs. It says “The levels of dog allergen in homes with “hypoallergenic” dogs did not differ from the levels in homes with other breeds.” For cats, see our guide to hypoallergenic cats and the best cat breeds for allergies, and our article on hypoallergenic cats.

What if the pet is a rabbit, hamster, or bird?

AAFA says “Even rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, and horses can cause allergy symptoms. People can also be allergic to animals with feathers (birds like parrots or parakeets).” The Mayo Clinic says “Rabbit allergens are present in dander, hair and saliva,” and that rodent allergens “are usually present in hair, dander, saliva and urine.” It adds “Dust from litter or sawdust in the bottom of cages may contribute to airborne allergens from rodents.”

Keep the pet out of your roommate’s bedroom

AAFA says “Keep your pet and cages, bedding, etc. out of bedrooms or places people sleep. You spend about 1/3 to 1/2 of your time there. If you have a bedroom door, keep it closed.” The AAAAI says “Keeping pets out of your bedroom can reduce allergy symptoms since you spend about eight hours every day in this room. So can keeping your pet off of upholstered furniture.”

ACAAI says to “Keep the cat out of your bedroom and restrict it to only a few rooms,” and warns that “keeping the cat in only one room will not limit the allergens to that room.” For dogs, it says “Dog allergen levels increase if the dog lives indoors and are higher in the rooms where a dog is allowed.”

Clean the shared rooms

AAFA says “Allergens can get into the air when you pet or groom an animal. Once allergens have settled, they can be stirred into the air again. This can happen during dusting, vacuuming, or other household activities.” It also says “Wear a mask and gloves when cleaning.”

AAFA lists these steps for the home of a person with a pet allergy:

• “Remove dust on hard surfaces often with a damp cloth.”
• “Vacuum fabric furniture and carpets weekly. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.”
• “Use slipcovers on fabric furniture or cover with blankets that can be washed weekly in hot water.”
• “Wash or vacuum fabric curtains or use blinds you can dust with a damp cloth.”
• “Wipe down walls, cabinets, and floorboards with a damp cloth.”

On floors, AAFA says “Remove carpet, if possible, and install hard surface flooring.” It adds “If you are going to use carpet, select one with a low pile and steam clean it often. Better yet, use throw rugs and wash them weekly in hot water.” The AAAAI also lists removing carpeting and rugs, which it says “can trap pet dander and other allergens.” ACAAI says “Regular use of a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner or a central vacuum can reduce allergen levels.”

Who brushes, cleans, and bathes the pet

AAFA says “Have someone without a pet allergy brush the pet outside to remove fur. Ask them to clean the litter box, bedding, or cage regularly. If you do the grooming and cleaning, wear a face mask and gloves.”

AAFA says “Wash your pet every week. It may reduce airborne allergens.” ACAAI says “Giving your cat a bath at least once a week can reduce airborne cat allergen,” and gives the same line for dogs.

Allergen also travels on people. AAFA says “Wash your hands, face, and clothes after petting or touching the pet, its cage, or bedding,” and “Change your clothes and shower after you spend time with an animal.” It adds “(This can depend on how sensitive you are and the level of allergens you are exposed to.)” ACAAI says “Don’t pet, hug or kiss the cat; if you do, wash your hands with soap and water.”

Air cleaners and filters

ACAAI says “High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaners run continuously in a bedroom or living room can reduce allergen levels over time.” AAFA says “Use an air cleaner with HEPA filter at least four hours per day.” The AAAAI says HEPA air cleaners “can be a big help in removing unwanted allergenic particles from the air.”

The US Environmental Protection Agency says “Portable air cleaners and HVAC filters can reduce indoor air pollution; however, they cannot remove all pollutants from the air.” AAFA also says “Forced-air heating and air conditioning can spread allergens through your house. Cover bedroom vents with a dense filtering material like cheese cloth.”

When the steps are not enough

ACAAI says “Avoidance is the best way to manage a cat allergy. If you have a cat and are allergic to cats, consider removing the cat from the home.” The AAAAI says “When all else fails, it may be necessary to find a new home for the pet.” AAFA says “Pet allergens can cause symptoms up to 6 months after the animal is gone, especially cat allergens.”

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FAQ

Can my roommate become allergic later?

AAFA says “You can develop allergies at any time. And allergies can change over time.”

Do two cats cause more allergen than one?

ACAAI says “Homes with more than one cat have higher levels of cat allergens.”

What if I want to adopt a pet and my roommate might be allergic?

The Mayo Clinic says “If you don’t have a pet but are considering adopting or buying one, make sure you don’t have pet allergies before making the commitment.” AAFA says “When choosing a pet, consider fostering one first to see if you have an allergic reaction.”

Sources

• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
• American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: Pet Allergies
• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: Pet Allergy
• Mayo Clinic (Wayback Machine copy)
• US Environmental Protection Agency: Air Cleaners and Air Filters in the Home
• American Kennel Club