Are Ferrets Hypoallergenic?
Allergies and Pets
Hypoallergenic–meaning relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction
Allergies are a widespread chronic condition all over the world. Anyone can develop an allergy at any time. It is estimated that one in four people have chronic allergies and that one in ten has allergies to pets–cats most of all.
Pet allergy symptoms can include sneezing, coughing, runny nose, scratchy throat or mouth, or itchy, red or watering eyes. For some people with allergic asthma, being around a pet can trigger wheezing or difficulty breathing.
Are ferrets hypoallergenic? There are many myths and misconceptions about allergies and pets.
How many of these common beliefs about allergies and pets can you identify correctly as true or false?
- A pet’s fur causes allergies.
- You can become desensitized to your pet and no longer have allergy symptoms.
- Rodents and other small furry pets are recommended for allergy sufferers.
- Pets that live outdoors cause fewer allergy problems.
- Restricting a pet to one or two rooms of your house will lessen allergy symptoms.
- You can be more allergic to your pet in Spring and Fall.
- People who are allergic to their pets must find new homes for them.
Answers
- False. Allergic sensitization to pets is caused by dander, sebaceous skin gland secretions, saliva, and urine, not by hair or fur.
- True. Many individuals can live comfortably with their own pets, but may still experience symptoms from other pets, probably due to natural desensitization, related to years of exposure to their pets.
- False. The spreading of allergens may be less of a problem with small furry animals that live in cages, but even they can trigger allergies.
- True. Taking a pet out of the home does help to reduce the indoor allergen load, but it doesn’t get rid of it entirely. The best alternative is to learn how to “allergy-proof” your pets and your house.
- False. Isolating a pet does not contain their allergens because they can be carried into other rooms on shoes and clothing, circulate naturally through the air, or spread via air conditioners, heating ducts and fans throughout the house.
- True. In most parts of the U.S., tree and grass pollen from Spring into Summer, and ragweed and other weed pollen in Fall, are triggers of hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis. Individuals sensitive to both pets and pollen may find their pet allergy symptoms are worse during pollen season because of double exposure to both types of allergens. Additionally, pets can carry pollen indoors on their coats, further exposing their owners to additional pollen.
- False. While symptoms may not go away, they can be very manageable. Most people with pet allergies can live with their pets if they take certain precautions that will minimize allergens on the pets themselves and in their homes.
Are Ferrets Hypoallergenic?
Any warm-blooded animal with hair, fur or feathers is capable of causing allergic reactions in people–that includes ferrets.
However, female animals tend to produce fewer allergens than males. Studies show that allergen production is controlled by hormones: males produce more allergens than females. When males are neutered, the number of allergens produced generally decrease within a month.
2 Prime Sources of Ferret Allergies
- Dander is the primary source of ferret allergies. Dander is the dead skin cells that animals shed. All warm-blooded animals, regardless of hair length, or lack of it, produce dander that can trigger allergic reactions.
- Urine is another major source of allergens of furry pets, including ferrets. When urine drys it can flake off into the air and be inhaled.
Allergies and Pets
If You Are or Think You May Be Allergic to Ferrets (or other pets), There Are Solutions.
One of the most important ways to control the dispersal of allergens into the environment is via regular cleansing of your pet and keeping his bedding and cage fresh and clean. This will lessen the microscopic particles of their allergens from becoming airborne in large quantities.
Allerpet Dander Remover can remove or reduce your ferret ‘s allergens before they become airborne and help reduce future accumulations.
Allerpet is safe and non-toxic. It cleanses your ferret of pet-related allergens, re-moisturizes the fur and skin to minimize future accumulations of dander and scale and replenishes the stripped-out oils of the fur. Plus, it does not leave any residue on the fur to ingest or to attract more allergens. It is simply sponged onto the fur once a week.
Are Ferrets Hypoallergenic? unfortunately not–no warm-blooded animals are.
For more ways to help you live comfortably with your ferret (or other pets), see this helpful guide……..
Allergic to Pets?: The Breakthrough Guide to Living with the Animals You Love by
Your comments are welcome.
I never knew that you could keep a ferret as a pet. That’s really interesting. Where do you go if you’d like to have a ferret as a pet? Do you have to give them any sort of training? Your site is very interesting. Look forward to learning more!
Thanks for visiting. If you are looking for places to find a ferret, please see my post: Where Can I Buy a Ferret?
It’s good to have read this article before I finally decide on adopting a pet. Though, I haven’t really thought of getting ferret as one, I think the topic applies to most of the fur pets. And I think all of fur pet owners should have one of these “dander” remover whether one is allergic or not. We’ll never know who might come close to our pets. Nice to have read too the answers to some of the most common misconceptions related to pet allergies . I’ll be taking noete of this amazing product. =)
I’m happy you found the article on pet allergies helpful, Narissa!
Thanks for this. While I am not yet a ferret owner, I do have both a cat and 2 dogs and this information is very helpful. I definitely notice it during the spring and summer months and I will be using your tips on helping manage the symptoms. My pets are definitely here to stay =). I am hoping that sometime in the near future I will be a proud ferret daddy as well.
Keep up the great work and I will keep checking in for more great tips.
Patrick
Thanks, Patrick! I’m happy you found the article on pets and allergies helpful. If you have any questions about how to be a great ferret daddy, let me know! I’m here to help!
I grew up with pets my whole life and never thought that any of my allergies were from my pets. I grew up in the Panhandle of Texas and suffered from hayfever my whole life while in school. My eyes would itch and water, sinuses stopped up, and nose running like water. It was always worse in the early spring or fall seasons when the air was full of pollen. Once I moved away, my allergies disappeared. I no longer have allergies, so I consider myself very luck. I am happy to hear that there are products to alleviate the allergies for pet owners because I would have been heartbroken had I could no longer enjoy my dog while growing up.
Thanks for your comment, Kenneth. You are fortunate that your dog didn’t trigger your allergies. I too have hayfever and many other allergies. I got allergy shots for about 8 years. I too moved to a different climate and my allergies lessened in frequency, but are by no means gone.
Great blog on pets and allergies. I think it is very informative .I have lots of friends who are allergic to cats. Will forward this article to them. Ferrets as pets is a great option.
Thanks Dini!I hope this will help your friends with pet allergies.