Dog allergy: no reason to rehome your four-legged friend!

What happens in the body during a dog allergy?

In a dog allergy, your immune system reacts to the protein Can f 1. This allergen is found in saliva, skin flakes, urine, and faeces, not just in dog fur, as the term “dog hair allergy” suggests.

The reaction can occur years after first contact with a dog. Your body had time to build up sensitisation. On the next contact with Can f 1, the immune system releases histamine, causing the typical symptoms.

Watery eyes, a blocked nose, skin rashes, or breathing difficulties are possible. In severe cases, asthmatic attacks can occur. If you suspect a dog allergy, you should consult an allergist before making drastic decisions.

Does hyposensitisation work for dog allergies?

Hyposensitisation can permanently alleviate or even cure a dog allergy. During this process, your body receives tiny, continuously increasing doses of the allergens via injection over three years.

However, how effective it is remains open. The literature explicitly describes the clinical efficacy for dog allergens as unsatisfactory. The reason lies in the matter itself: with dogs, sensitisation is distributed across several of the eight known allergens, whereas with cats, one makes up the majority. An extract that does not contain exactly the allergens you react to can achieve little. Therefore, there is no reliable success rate; what exists is the recommendation to have precisely determined which allergens your immune system is reacting against before starting therapy.

Health insurance funds only cover the costs of 1,000 to 2,500 euros in severe cases. During the three-year treatment, you must still take precautionary measures.

How do I reduce allergens in the apartment?

Dog skin flakes spread through the air and settle on surfaces. There, they remain allergenic for months.

Remove textile dust traps from the main living areas. Curtains, carpets and decorative cushions collect allergens. Damp-wipe surfaces twice a week; dry wiping only stirs up the particles.

Wash bed linen at a minimum of 60 degrees. At this temperature, the allergens are destroyed. A HEPA air filter in the bedroom measurably reduces the allergen load at night; there is no reliable percentage figure for this, as it depends on room size, runtime and device.

Which rooms should remain dog-free?

Your bedroom must become an allergen-free zone. You spend eight hours there daily; with a high allergen load, sleep becomes torture.

Set up a fixed spot for your dog at a distance from your seating furniture. A dog bed that you wash weekly at 60 degrees binds many skin flakes. Washable dog blankets make cleaning easier.

If you do not want to give up cuddling on the sofa: lay a washable blanket over your sofa, which you put in the wash immediately after contact with the dog.

How do I care for my dog in an allergy-friendly way?

Regular brushing reduces loose skin flakes and hair. Do this outside or have a non-allergic family member take over.

Bathe your dog every two weeks with lukewarm water. This has a measurable effect: in a Swedish study on therapy dogs, the Can f 1 concentration in the coat dropped from 21.8 to 5.8 nanograms per millilitre after washing and remained low for three days.

The allergen load is lowest after bathing. Use this time for more intensive cuddling sessions if you miss them.

Can my dog still lick me?

Dog saliva contains the highest Can f 1 concentration. Do not let your dog lick your face anymore, especially not your mouth, nose or eyes.

How do I recognise a severe allergic reaction?

In case of shortness of breath, swollen mucous membranes or circulatory problems after contact with the dog, call an ambulance immediately. These can be signs of life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Do air purifiers really help with dog allergies?

HEPA air purifiers filter particles down to 0.3 micrometres; dog skin flakes are larger and are reliably captured. In enclosed spaces, they measurably reduce the allergen load.

Are there hypoallergenic dog breeds?

No, all dogs produce Can f 1. Breeds with little shedding, such as Poodles, distribute fewer skin flakes but are not allergen-free.

When should I rehome the dog?

In the case of repeated severe allergic reactions despite all measures, separation may become medically necessary. You should make this decision with an allergist, not alone.