Ideal Pets for Kids with Allergies and Asthma

Most kids would love to have pets, but if your child has health conditions such as asthma or allergies, you should consider choosing ideal pets for kids with allergies and asthma that will not be harmful to their health. There are certain reasons why some animals can trigger these conditions while others do not. Some animals like many species of cats and dogs shed fur or hair and these pets also have dander. Loose skin flakes of animals are called dander. This is one of the main causes of pet allergies among children.

Your child may be allergic to pets if he has certain reactions like wheezing, watery eyes, shortness of breath, coughing, congestion, itchiness, and sneezing when exposed to animals. Asthma is usually caused by fur, feather, or hair that can cause difficulty in breathing. Some animals also collect dust and pollen on their thick and long fur, which also triggers asthma.

As a parent, it is your responsibility to know what kinds of pets your child can have if he has allergies or asthma. Below are some of the ideal pets for allergic and asthmatic kids.

You might think that dogs and cats are out of the question, but there are actually breeds of canines and felines that are safe for your child. For dogs, you have to choose breeds that do not shed hair or fur, and those that do not have dander such as terrier dogs. Maltese, schnauzer, Chinese crested, and bichon frises are some examples of low-allergenic dogs. For cats, you should choose a cat that does not have hair at all, like sphinx cats. These cats may be a little bit more expensive than other cat breeds but they will surely not trigger your child’s asthma. However, be sure to ask your child first if he wants a hairless cat before you buy one because some kids find this cat a little scary.

Another great example of pets for kids with allergies and asthma is fish. Fish may be a boring pet to some but it is the perfect pet for the allergic and asthmatic child. They do not have hair and dander. They require low maintenance since all you need to do is feed them every day and change the water and clean the aquarium from time to time. Your child may not be able to cuddle his pet fish but at least he will not have trouble breathing or have skin rashes even if the fish is located right next to his bed.

For kids who are interested in biology, you may want to give them something more unique like pet reptiles. Reptiles do not cause any allergies and asthma. Turtles and lizards do not shed hair and are dander-free. However, before you get a pet reptile for your child, you have to make sure that the animal is clean since some reptiles are carriers of diseases if they are infected.

Some of the great pets for kids with allergies and asthma include certain species of dogs and cats, fish, and reptiles. Be sure to ask your child what he wants before you purchase anything from the pet store.