To those with furbabies

blushingbrideoct07 · September 2009

Do you ever worry that your newborn will?develop?allergies to your furbaby? This is my one irrational fear that I cannot shake. ?:( ?

Soap1 · September 2009

I don't worry about that too much. They say that being exposed to allergens (like dog fur) from an early age actually helps prevent allergies!

kristin7701 · September 2009

I think the evidence shows that if your baby grows up with your pet, he/she is less likely to be impacted. That was totally true for us. DS (4) is allergic to dairy, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts. We had him re-tested to see if he was outgrowing anything and we found out that he is also allergic to dust mites, dogs, cats and horses. Well, we have 2 cats at home and ILs have a dog, and DS has never had any issues. I asked the allergist what to do and he just recommended that we keep the cats out of DS's bedroom, which is no problem.

livinreality · September 2009

I am highly allergic to cats and dogs and grew up with them, so it is not the end of the world unless the allerdgy is severe... just kept them out of my room, and off furniture and I learned not to play with them... but I grew out of the dog allergy, so now I have one of my own.

adharper2615 · September 2009

Not until now! Hopefully she doesn't, though. Luckily, we have a very short haired pooch that barely sheds, so I hope that helps.

I guess the good thing would be both of our parents would step in and home my puppy if absolutely necessary.

LIbride1006 · September 2009

Soap1:
I don't worry about that too much. They say that being exposed to allergens (like dog fur) from an early age actually helps prevent allergies!

This exactly.

stephrodjoos · September 2009

I'm not worried about it. i just worried about all the hair my lab mix leaves behind.

april_lynn_08 · September 2009

This isn't something that I've worried about. Neither DH or I have allergies so I guess that might be why I don't really think about it.

epopp85 · September 2009

Yes. DH is allergic to EVERYTHING so I'm afraid that Hayden will have bad allergies too. DH is actually allergic to our dogs now, just not bad enough that he wants to get rid of them. I don't know what we'll do if LO is super allergic. I love my furbabies.

DiaMT · September 2009

I'm not too worried. If LO ends up with allergies to our dog, then we'll just keep her fur cut short and keep her out of LO's room. But I'm allergic to dogs and grew up with them and was immune to ours.

JungleJulia · September 2009

No, I don't even think about it. I have a very messy parrot and a dog in the house. Everything I've ever read states kids that grow up with multiple pets have less allergies than those who don't so....I'm hoping for the best.

chloephoebecali · September 2009

DH is REALLY concerned about it. I am not as much. I grew up with dogs and I tested positive for being allergic to dogs when I was 24. I did allergy shots, so I think I am currently not as allergic as I have been without the shots. We have two shih tzus and a lab so it will be a problem if she is allergic, and clearly it is possible that she could be since I am/was.

KOscar · September 2009

I'm not really worried about it. We do plan on buying an air purifier for the nursery though. That's more because we live in Atlanta (poor air quality), have two dogs and a cat, and a seemingly never ending collection of dust.

ickasticka · September 2009

Not really. They say that it's best to raise babies with pets to help prevent the development of allergies and asthma. Plus, I myself am allergic to cats and dogs but I have two of each in my home. I've had pets all my life and worked in both veterinary hospitals and animal shelters. When you love animals nothing will stop you from having them around. I figure that if that happens we will visit an allergist. Our pets are our kids with fur and they are a part of our family. They will be staying.

NewToNJBride · September 2009

I have really bad allergies, including to dogs, but the weird thing is my allergies didn't get bad until I went away to college. I have a non-shedding dog and I had a few allergic reactions the first week we had him, but I am totally fine around him now (& I can't imagine life without him!). I think it is good for kids to be exposed early, and I certainly want my son to love animals as much as we do.

Want a personalized experience?

To those with furbabies

Re: To those with furbabies

Choose Another Board

Search Boards