If you love animals but suffer from allergies, there is a solution for you. Adopt a pet that is allergy-friendly! There are lots of animals you can welcome into your home that won’t irritate your allergies but that will offer the love and happiness a pet can offer. Here are six allergy-friendly pets you should consider adopting.
- Poodles
Poodles are part of a hypoallergenic breed due to their curly hair. The hair of the poodle has a longer growth cycle, which means less shedding in your home. Poodles are also water dogs, which means their fur doesn’t have a long undercoat so they have less allergy-irritating down in their coats. They are just as cuddly as any other pup, so poodles are a great choice for those of us who suffer from allergies.
- Hedgehogs
These little hedgies are definitely a different kind of pet than most people are used to, but they are just as cuddly and cute as your average small house pet. Hedgehogs are great pets for allergy sufferers because they have very little fur and they are easily contained to one area of the house. They are actually quite friendly and are a very fun pet to have, as long as you learn how to properly care for them.
- Fish
Fish are everyone’s go-to allergy-free pet because they are beautiful, easy to take care of, relatively inexpensive, and cause zero allergy problems. They aren’t cuddly, but they still instill a sense of responsibility for children, offer learning opportunities, and are a good family activity. There are a lot of options when it comes to fish as well. You can decorate the tank together, choose the fish you like, and learn about their ecosystem together.
- Gerbils, Mice, or Hamsters
Small rodents are actually great pets to have in the home. They are contained in one area so your house stays allergen free and they are easy to take care of. They’re not expensive and they are fun to play with. They may be best suited for adults or older children, but as long as you aren’t scared of them, rodents make for very interesting pets. Make sure you buy the right kind of bedding for the cages in order to keep allergies at bay.
- Reptiles
A reptile is another non-allergy pet. Reptiles have no fur, so allergic people can breathe easily, and most reptiles are low maintenance once you get their habitats set up properly. Once again, these pets may be better for older children or adults so they can be fed, warmed, and handled accurately.
