Finding the Right Breed of Dog For Children With Allergies
Before you take home a puppy for your child, you may want to check if your child has an allergy to dogs. Dogs are so lovable, but if you happen to have a child who is allergy-prone and may be allergic to dog dander, you have to avoid the dog breeds that will most likely cause some allergy problems with your child.
Usually allergies to dogs are caused by dog dander and saliva. If a child is highly sensitive to the allergens found in the dog’s dander and saliva he will always be miserable every time he gets near a dog. You can help your child cope with dog allergies by making a list of hypo-allergenic dogs or dogs that do not shed a lot of dander.
Poodles, Schnauzers, Portuguese water dogs and Kerry blue terriers are just some of the dogs found to be good matches for children with asthma or allergies because they don’t shed a lot of fur.
If your child is really serious on owning a dog, but you are worried that his allergies may become more serious, consider the following suggestions. Here are some tips on helping your child cope with allergies to dogs:
1. Don’t let the dog sleep inside your child’s bedroom.
2. Give your dog a regular bath, at least twice a week.
3. Remove floor carpets especially where your dog would often walk or lie down on.
4. Vacuum regularly to collect any fur that your dog sheds.
5. Make sure your child take his daily asthma or allergy medications.
If nothing seems to work, it might be better to move the dog out of the house. What might be even better is to just choose another pet for your child.
It may be a little traumatic, especially for a little child, but if this is the best option, then you don’t really have a choice.
