Dr. Reller:
All right. Hi everybody. Welcome back to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Kerry Reller, and today we have three very special guests. Why don't you guys introduce yourselves?

Lily:
I'm Lily. I'm 11 years old and I'm a dog.

Xavi:
I'm Xavi. I'm eight years old and I'm a rabbit.

Hobie:
I'm Hobie. I'm six years old and I am a cat.

Dr. Reller:
All right. And what are we talking about today, guys?

Lily:
I have no idea.

Xavi:
Pet allergies!

Dr. Reller:
Very good. Something very important because apparently everybody in this house wants a new pet, right?

Today we're talking about pet allergies, what they are, what causes them, and what we can actually do about them.

So to start, what do you think happens when someone has a pet allergy?

Lily:
You run.

Dr. Reller:
You run. Okay. What about you, Xavi?

Xavi:
They have heart problems and they go to the doctor.

Dr. Reller:
Okay. Lily?

Lily:
I think people try to get away from the pet. Or if they're not badly allergic, they might still have one anyway.

Dr. Reller:
Okay. So what are some of the symptoms people might have if they have a pet allergy?

Hobie:
I don't know… a symptom.

Lily:
They sneeze.

Dr. Reller:
Great answer. Hobie?

Hobie:
Sneezing, like Lily said.

Lily:
Your eyes might water.

Dr. Reller:
Yep. Xavi, what do you think?

Xavi:
Lots of coughing.

Dr. Reller:
Good. Hobie?

Hobie:
Throwing up.

Dr. Reller:
Okay. Usually not throwing up, but people can have a runny nose, a stuffy nose, itchy watery eyes, coughing, wheezing—you know that funny sound your lungs make—shortness of breath, eczema flares, or even hives like a rash.

So Hobie, what does a sneeze feel like?

Hobie:
Like your nose pushes out something.

Dr. Reller:
That's right. Your nose pushes out air with a sneeze. Usually it's because something feels foreign in there and the body naturally tries to get rid of it.

For some people with asthma, pet exposure can make their breathing tighter. So that's another symptom of animal allergies.

What if a dog licks you?

Lily:
What happens if a dog licks you?

Dr. Reller:
Great question. What do you think could happen if you're allergic to a dog and it licks you?

Hobie:
You die or something.

Dr. Reller:
No. Xavi, what do you think?

Xavi:
Your mom or dad takes you straight to the hospital.

Dr. Reller:
Usually it's not that severe, but you might get a rash called a hive. It can be red and itchy, and sometimes there is swelling where the saliva touched.

Hobie, do you know what saliva is?

Hobie:
Is it spit?

Dr. Reller:
Yes. Saliva is spit. And guess what? That's where some of the things you're allergic to live—the proteins in the saliva.

That doesn't mean every dog lick causes a reaction, but in allergic people saliva can sometimes trigger hives.

So what do you think we're actually allergic to? What part of the dog?

Lily:
All of it.

Xavi:
Its tongue.

Hobie:
The fur.

Xavi:
Like their guts.

Dr. Reller:
Those are good guesses. But the truth is, it's not actually the fur. Most people think it's the fur, but it's really tiny proteins.

These proteins live in the sweat, saliva, and flaky skin called dander. The fur just carries them around like a taxi.

For cats, the main allergen is called Fel d 1. For dogs, there are several proteins like Can f 1, Can f 2, Can f 4, and Can f 6, and a special one called Can f 5.

These proteins can be found in saliva, skin flakes, and even urine.

Now here's something interesting about male versus female dogs. Some male dogs produce a protein called Can f 5. It's found in their urine and saliva, and about 20–30% of dog-allergic people react to it.

So if someone is only allergic to that protein, they might tolerate a female dog better. But that doesn't mean female dogs are allergy-free. That's why testing matters.

So what do you guys think—better to have a male or female dog?

Lily:
Female.

Xavi:
Female.

Hobie:
Female.

Dr. Reller:
That's right.

Now let's talk about a word people love: hypoallergenic.

Hobie, do you know what hypo means?

Hobie:
You have a lot of energy?

Dr. Reller:
That's hyper. Good guess. Hypo actually means low.

Hypoallergenic means something might be less likely to cause allergies. But here's the truth: no dog is completely hypoallergenic.

All dogs produce allergy proteins—even poodles and doodles.

Less shedding doesn't mean less allergen.

Hobie:
What does shedding mean?

Dr. Reller:
Shedding means when their hair falls off.

Now let's talk about cats. Cats produce that Fel d 1 protein, and it's very sticky. It floats in the air and can stay in the house for four to six months or longer even after the cat leaves.

So if someone says they got rid of the cat and they still feel bad, that can actually happen.

Now here's something interesting. There's a special cat food that may reduce allergens.

Our cousins are trying it with their cat. He says he feels the same, but mom thinks he seems less stuffy.

This food uses egg antibodies to reduce Fel d 1. It can help reduce allergen levels but doesn't cure the allergy.

So if we had a cat, should we try that food?

Xavi:
We're getting a dog.

Dr. Reller:
We'll see what happens at the end of this episode.

So how do we manage pet allergies? What do you think we should do?

Lily:
Wash things a lot.

Dr. Reller:
Like what?

Lily:
Wash your sheets.

Dr. Reller:
Yes. One important rule is keeping pets out of the bedroom because that's where we spend a lot of time sleeping.

Keeping the house clean helps too. Removing carpets and fabrics can reduce allergens.

What about bathing the animal?

Hobie:
I think you should do it outside.

Dr. Reller:
Not a bad idea. Dogs can be bathed about once a week. Cats usually don't like baths.

Another helpful tool is a HEPA filter, which helps reduce allergens in the air.

These things reduce exposure but don't eliminate allergens completely.

In our office, we don't start by telling people to get rid of their pets. Pets are family. Instead we test to see if someone is allergic and how severe it is.

Then we create a plan.

Medications like nasal sprays, antihistamines, eye drops, and inhalers can help symptoms.

But the only treatment that can retrain the immune system is allergy immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots.

Cat allergy shots are very standardized and about 70–85% effective over three to five years.

Now let's talk about rabbits.

Xavi, what do rabbits eat?

Xavi:
Lettuce.

Hobie:
Hay.

Dr. Reller:
Yes. And the hay is often Timothy grass, which people can also be allergic to. Sometimes it's not the bunny—it's the hay.

Guinea pigs and hamsters can cause allergies too.

What about birds? Can people be allergic to birds?

Lily:
Yes.

Dr. Reller:
Yes. Bird allergies can cause rhinitis, asthma, and even something called hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Sometimes it's the feathers, and sometimes it's dust from droppings.

What about fish?

Xavi:
You can be allergic to fish.

Dr. Reller:
Fish themselves rarely cause airborne allergies, but fish food dust or mold in aquariums can cause symptoms.

So fish are lower risk compared to furry animals.

Here's the most important thing: allergies don't mean no joy.

They don't mean you can't have pets.

They mean we understand the science, we test, we treat, and we manage.

So guys, what did you learn today?

Hobie:
Different types of allergies.

Dr. Reller:
Xavi, did you learn anything?

Xavi:
Fish aren't as bad as dogs.

Dr. Reller:
All right. Rapid fire.

Dog or cat?

Lily:
Cat.

Xavi:
Dog.

Hobie:
Dog.

Dr. Reller:
Bunny or hamster?

Lily:
Bunny.

Xavi:
Bunny.

Dr. Reller:
Boy dog or girl dog?

Lily:
Girl.

Xavi:
Girl.

Dr. Reller:
Would you rather sneeze or itch?

Lily:
Itch.

Xavi:
Itch.

Hobie:
Itch.

Dr. Reller:
What surprised you the most?

Lily:
That girl dogs are better and that boys have the Can f 5 thing.

Dr. Reller:
What about you, Xavi?

Xavi:
Fish aren't as bad as dogs.

Dr. Reller:
All right. That concludes our podcast on pet allergies.

Stay tuned next week for the next episode. Thank you so much for listening.

Stay healthy, Tampa Bay.