Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Dogs Affect AsthmaBest BreedsTips to Reduce Your ExposureMedical Options
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Dogs Affect Asthma
Best Breeds
Tips to Reduce Your Exposure
Medical Options
If you have asthma, dogs may trigger your symptoms—but not everyone with the disease has the same response to these furry animals. Research suggests that about 33% of people with asthma are also sensitive to dog allergens.Certain adjustments can make it possible to live with dogs when you have asthma. From choosing a “hypoallergenic” breed to purifying your home’s air and cleaning furnishings with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter, there are steps you can take to safely share a home with a furry friend.chee gin tan / Getty ImagesHow Dogs Affect AsthmaWhen a dog triggers a person’sasthma symptoms, it’s commonly due to an allergy to theanimal’s dander. This microscopic skin shedding contains a mixture of the dog’s saliva, sweat, urine, feces, and skin.Proteins in the dander induce an immune reaction that causes symptoms, such as sneezing, shortness of breath, and wheezing.In rare instances, someone can even develop anasthma attack(severe inability to breathe) due to dog exposure.Dander can linger in the air and stick to furniture, bedding, and clothes.Individual components of dander, especially saliva, can cause asthma and allergy symptoms as well.Dogs may also transport these allergy triggers on their fur:Plant pollenDust mitesMold sporesBest Dog Breeds for People With AsthmaChoosing a “hypoallergenic” dog breed is one strategy for living with dogs when you have asthma. These arespecific breedsthat are supposedly less likely to trigger allergies and asthma symptoms in susceptible people.However, all dogs produce allergy-inducing proteins—even those labeled as “hypoallergenic.“What’s more, some dogs of the same breed may trigger a person’s asthma symptoms, while others do not.If possible, spend time with aspecificdog before deciding to bring it into your home. This will allow you to see if you have symptoms when you’re exposed to it.Hypoallergenic Dog BreedsAccording to the American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology (ACAAI), the following dog breeds are hypoallergenic:Afghan houndAiredale terrierMaltesePortuguese water dogSamoyedThe American Kennel Club (AKC) has a longer list of hypoallergenic dog breeds, which in addition to the following also includes several from the list above:Afghan houndAffenpinscherAmerican hairless terrierBarbado da TerceiraBarbetBedlington terrierBichon FriseBologneseChinese crestedCoton de TulearGiant and standard schnauzerIrish water spanielKerry blue terrierLagotto RomagnoloLöwchenMalteseMiniature schnauzerPeruvian Inca orchidPoodle (miniature, standard, and toy)Portuguese water dogRussian Tsvetnaya BolonkaSoft-coated WheatenXoloitzcuintliYorkshire terrierReduce Your Exposure to Dog AllergensIf you have asthma and adog allergy, these tips can help minimize the effect that dogs have on your symptoms.Wash your hands:Make sure everyone in the home washes their hands after touching the dog.Keep your pet clean:Bathe your dog (or have them bathed) once or twice a week.Filter your air:Consider using aHEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) purifierto remove dander from your home’s air.Vacuum regularly:Use a HEPA-equipped vacuum cleaner to clean your floors several times a week.Sleep separately:Keep your dog out of your bedroom.Choose solid flooring:Remove carpet from the entire home.Wash your furnishings:Use slipcovers on furniture and throw pillows so they can easily be laundered.Clean your dog’s belongings:Regularly wash your pet’s bed and toys.Medical OptionsIf you have symptoms of a dog allergy, see an allergist. In addition to your asthma medicine, they may suggest one of the following treatments:Nose spray:Corticosteroidsorantihistaminenose sprays can help treat the inflammation that causes nasal symptoms of an allergy.Oral antihistamines:Available in pills and liquids, these medications can help relieve manyallergy symptoms.Allergy shots:If other options haven’t helped,immunotherapy (allergy shots)can be very effective. This treatment involves injections of material that is similar to what triggers allergy symptoms, which trains your immune system to better tolerate it.SummaryMany people who have asthma can live with dogs.You may be more reactive to one type of dog than another, which can help guide your choice of pooch.Keeping your pet clean, sleeping in a separate room, and using a HEPA filter can minimize the effect of a dog on your asthma symptoms. If you experience wheezing, shortness of breath, or any other respiratory symptoms, see your healthcare provider.
If you have asthma, dogs may trigger your symptoms—but not everyone with the disease has the same response to these furry animals. Research suggests that about 33% of people with asthma are also sensitive to dog allergens.
Certain adjustments can make it possible to live with dogs when you have asthma. From choosing a “hypoallergenic” breed to purifying your home’s air and cleaning furnishings with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter, there are steps you can take to safely share a home with a furry friend.
chee gin tan / Getty Images
When a dog triggers a person’sasthma symptoms, it’s commonly due to an allergy to theanimal’s dander. This microscopic skin shedding contains a mixture of the dog’s saliva, sweat, urine, feces, and skin.
Proteins in the dander induce an immune reaction that causes symptoms, such as sneezing, shortness of breath, and wheezing.In rare instances, someone can even develop anasthma attack(severe inability to breathe) due to dog exposure.
Dander can linger in the air and stick to furniture, bedding, and clothes.Individual components of dander, especially saliva, can cause asthma and allergy symptoms as well.
Dogs may also transport these allergy triggers on their fur:
Best Dog Breeds for People With Asthma
Choosing a “hypoallergenic” dog breed is one strategy for living with dogs when you have asthma. These arespecific breedsthat are supposedly less likely to trigger allergies and asthma symptoms in susceptible people.
However, all dogs produce allergy-inducing proteins—even those labeled as “hypoallergenic.“What’s more, some dogs of the same breed may trigger a person’s asthma symptoms, while others do not.
If possible, spend time with aspecificdog before deciding to bring it into your home. This will allow you to see if you have symptoms when you’re exposed to it.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
According to the American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology (ACAAI), the following dog breeds are hypoallergenic:
The American Kennel Club (AKC) has a longer list of hypoallergenic dog breeds, which in addition to the following also includes several from the list above:
Reduce Your Exposure to Dog Allergens
If you have asthma and adog allergy, these tips can help minimize the effect that dogs have on your symptoms.
If you have symptoms of a dog allergy, see an allergist. In addition to your asthma medicine, they may suggest one of the following treatments:
Summary
Many people who have asthma can live with dogs.You may be more reactive to one type of dog than another, which can help guide your choice of pooch.
Keeping your pet clean, sleeping in a separate room, and using a HEPA filter can minimize the effect of a dog on your asthma symptoms. If you experience wheezing, shortness of breath, or any other respiratory symptoms, see your healthcare provider.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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American College of Asthma, Allergy, & Immunology.Pet allergies.
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