Pet allergies are becoming more and more common as people acquire cats and dogs for companionship, security, and entertainment. Many pets become so attached to their owners that they end up sleeping in their owners' beds at night, or spending a lot of time in the bedroom. This can be a problem if you suffer from allergies, so some pet lovers have tried to find a breed of dog that may not lead to allergic reactions like sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. Although many people claim that certain shorthaired breeds of dogs don't cause allergic reactions, there is no evidence to support this claim. It isn't a dog's hair that creates problems, but instead, the protein found in the pet's saliva, dander, and urine. Since all dogs produce saliva, dander, and urine, a shorthaired breed is just as likely to produce allergens as a longhaired breed. Some dog breeds may produce less allergy particles than others, but all dogs generate proteins that are capable of causing allergic reactions in sensitive people. Another popular myth suggests that continuous exposure to dogs will decrease allergies, but this isn't true. No matter how long you snuggle with your pet, your sneezing is here to stay. The best way to relieve symptoms is to remove the pet from your home. If that's not an option, you should keep the dog out of the bedroom, bathe it twice a week, and have a non-allergic member of the family groom the pet outside. Also, consider other pets, such as fish, snakes, lizards and turtles, which have no dander or fur to cause allergic problems.
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