Animal Allergy

Also known as: pet allergy, cat allergy, dog allergy, horse allergy, hamster allergy, gerbil allergy.

What is an animal allergy?

An allergy is when your body’s immune system overreacts to things that are normally considered harmless. Some people have an allergic reaction to the dander (skin flakes), saliva or urine of an animal, which is known as an animal allergy.

What causes allergy to animals?

People with asthma or eczema and people with close family members with asthma or allergies are more likely to develop environmental allergies. Animal allergies are a type of environmental allergy.

What are the symptoms of animal allergy?

Sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose, stuffy nose, drainage down the back of the throat, frequent throat clearing, itchy eyes, and watery eyes are common animal allergy symptoms. Some people with animal allergies can also have asthma symptoms and eye swelling.

What are animal allergy care options?

Avoiding the animal that causes the allergy symptoms is an important step in preventing your symptoms. If exposure to the animal cannot be avoided; antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, and allergy shots can be effective in controlling your symptoms.

Allergy shots are a proven treatment that provides long-term relief for many people.

Reviewed by: Amy S Feldman, MD

This page was last updated on: September 16, 2025 12:22 PM