Dog saliva is a prime allergen offender for those who have dog allergies, but many people don’t know this. Some people still believe that what causes their dog allergies is fur. So they adopt a non-shedding breed. BUT then they let that breed lick their faces and hands. While it makes you feel a strong bond with your pooch, licking is getting dog saliva all over you. That’s bad if you’re allergic.
Related: What Makes a Dog Hypoallergenic?
Dog Saliva is Allergen Central
Again. It’s not the hair that people are allergic to. It’s everything on the hair. I once had a message board conversation with an owner who had gotten a Maltese, because she had severe dog allergies, but she still wanted a pooch in the worst way. The Maltese is one of the least offending dog on the planet for people with allergies, so she couldn’t figure out why she was still having so much trouble. After all, there was no hair to speak of in her house.
To make a long story short, her dog loved her. He loved her lap dog style. Her dog frequently licked any exposed area of skin on her from her feet to her face. He also had the unfortunate tendency to want to “clean” her nose. It’s not the hair we allergy sufferers are allergic to, it’s the saliva, dead skin, and urine. So basically, she had gotten a shed-free dog and then allowed him to deposit his highly allergenic saliva onto her skin, and worse on her mucous membrane. She had no idea. I heard back from her a few weeks after she’d said she was going to nip the licking in the bud, and she was doing perfectly wonderful. So there’s a real world example of just how detrimental dog saliva can be to people who are allergic to dogs.
Why is Dog Saliva so Allergenic
Dog saliva, as well as dander and urine contain specific proteins. These proteins are actually what cause the allergic reaction. Dog Saliva is allergenic in and of itself, but what makes it even worse is the ease at which it can be transmitted. While urine and dander take a little bit of work to get on you, dogs show affection by licking. So it’s THE allergen to avoid. It’s one of the prime examples of how love really can hurt. LOL
Dog Saliva – STAY AWAY
Dog saliva is one of the worst things for a person with dog allergies. It contains all the proteins that allergy sufferers need to avoid, and it’s all over the place. Even if your dog doesn’t drool, it’s going to be licking you, or at least trying. Remember, even if you get a hypoallergenic dog, you still need to be aware that although he may not shed, you still need to be wary of dog saliva.
