Truth: “There’s no such thing as a non-allergenic animal,” says Miguel Wolbert, M.D., of the Allergy & Asthma Care Center in Evansville, IN. “And pet hair is not the issue. Allergies are actually caused by a protein found primarily in animal skin and a little in the saliva.” Cats may be slightly more likely than dogs to cause allergies since they lick themselves more, but even pets such as guinea pigs and gerbils cause reactions in some people. In addition to producing dander, pets also accumulate pollen and other allergens on their fur and bring them into the house.
