As much as we all love Pomeranians, they don’t come problem-free. Just like any other pet, especially dogs, they have some issues for some people. I mean people with allergies. It’s difficult to have a pet if you’re allergic. So how about Pomeranians?
Pomeranians are not hypoallergenic. Pomeranians just like other dogs might trigger allergic reactions. Sometimes people might develop an allergic reaction, but that has nothing to do with any particular breed.
So why aren’t Pomeranians hypoallergenic? Also what would you do to make sure your dog doesn’t give you an allergic reaction? This article answers all these questions and some more.
What Cause Pomeranians to Not Be Hypoallergenic?
It is estimated that about 10 percent of all dogs in the US have one form of allergy or another. Dogs as well as cosmetic products that don’t cause allergic reactions are called hypoallergenic. But as we have seen with anything that has fur on it, there’s always a chance it would trigger an allergic reaction.
The main cause of allergic reactions is dander. This is a tiny piece of dead skin that falls off the body of the dog and gets entangled in its hair. When you cuddle the dog or keep your face and nose near its body, dander sticks to your own skin or you might breathe it in. This triggers your allergies.
Since Poms have hair and like every other living mammal they shed dead skin along with hair, then the chances are they too will cause your allergies to flare up if you’re prone to it. So before you buy a Pom, make sure you don’t have the kind of allergies that this breed might trigger.
Pomeranians and Dander
While dander is the cause of allergies, it’s often too tiny to be seen with the naked eye. This makes its detection in your Pom all the more difficult. These small particles are in fact dead cells that animals shed often. Even humans shed dead skin all the time. If you check your bed in the morning under a microscope, you’ll see billions of these tiny particles on your bedsheet.
Since Poms have fluffy hair, the chances of dander sticking to their coat multiply. The longer the hair on the dog the more dander particles that coat has. When the dog runs around, shakes its coat, or jumps in your lap, this transmits the dander to your own body where it finds its way into your lungs and triggers the allergic reaction.
You need to be wary of your Pom and not take it for granted that it will not make your allergies flare up. With all that dander, if you have allergies, then you’re at great risk.
How Can I Tell if I am Allergic to My Pomeranian? (Common Symptoms)
Many people who have allergies are already familiar with the symptoms. But often it’s the people who are not aware that they have allergies that get the shock of their lives when they cuddle with a dog and then get the symptoms. So what are these symptoms?
One of the first telltale signs that you have allergies is the sneezing and runny nose. You can’t control the sneezing and it feels like the air is full of pollen. But as we all know, it’s not pollen. It’s the dander in your Pom’s hair that is causing this violent reaction.
Your sinuses and nasal cavities also suffer. The congestion gives you pain and sometimes a headache. If the dander makes its way into your lungs you might have trouble breathing. Your chest feels heavy and tight and you start coughing to clear your air passages.
In severe cases, rash and itchy skin might appear. Usually in the places that came in contact with the dog’s fur. But often the rash will spread to other parts of your body. It’s both uncomfortable and painful.
Your eyes then show the symptoms of allergies. They turn bloodshot, become itchy and tears come running down your face. It’s no wonder that allergies are dreaded by so many people.
What Should I Do to Treat an Allergic Reaction Caused By My Pomeranian?
If your Pom triggers an allergic reaction, don’t take it lightly. If it goes untreated for long, some allergies can become serious enough they require medical intervention. First and foremost you should consult with a doctor about your allergies.
In most cases, the doctor will prescribe some anti-allergic medications. Most notable candidates are antihistamines, corticosteroids, or decongestants. They would also recommend that you stay away from anything that triggers your allergies. This is not limited to animals. Some people are allergic to flowers, hay, or even seafood. So you should maintain a good distance from them.
Some natural and plant-based treatments that you can apply at home include Butterbur extracts, keeping your skin clean and washing regularly, wearing a mask if you get close to a source, and eating healthy food.
A nasal rinse might be effective in clearing up your nasal cavities and air passages. Doctors and health experts also recommend you drink more water to keep your body healthy and improve your immune system. Dehydration often leads to allergic reactions even with a slight trigger.
How to Avoid Allergies from Being Triggered By Pomeranians
One of the best things to do to avoid getting an allergic reaction from your Pom is to wear a mask when you get near the dog. This prevents the dander stuck to the dog’s hair from finding its way into your nose and lungs.
Also wash the dog regularly. A bath is often better than a mere shower or quick watering with the garden hose. Take your time to scrub the coat to get rid of as many dander particles as you can. Rinse the dog’s coat well and dry it. Make sure to wear a mask and gloves during the bath to avoid inhaling dander.
Also make sure to keep your anti-allergic medications handy. Even if you’re not near the dog, any hair on the sofa will find its way to transmit dander to your body. So keep your medications on you just in case you feel your allergies flaring up.
What Can Hypoallergenic Families Do to Help with Allergic Reactions?
As we mentioned, there are many ways you can handle your allergies. It’s often all about keeping the dog clean, protecting yourself and your children, and consulting with a doctor regularly.
Some of the precautions we mentioned to treat allergies also work well with avoiding allergic reactions from your dog altogether. Butterbur extracts are great both to treat and prevent a minor allergy from becoming a big problem.
If your children are a high risk, then you should keep them from playing with the dog. It also helps to keep the dog from going outside. This increases the dust particle in their fur which they bring inside and give the household an allergic reaction.
Tips on How to Live With a Pomeranian and Allergies
The main thing to remember here is that Poms are not the only breeds which cause allergies. In fact, the majority of pure breeds cause allergies. So Poms are not alone in this and you shouldn’t blame them for something they have little control over.
So always remember to give your dog a bath on a weekly basis. If that’s not enough, especially with a very fluffy Pom that has long hair, then increase that to twice a week. Use a good shampoo to unglue the dander from the dog’s fur.
Keep the place clean and close the windows to prevent dust from getting into your house. Also avoid foods that might trigger your allergies. Keep the dog inside where it’s clean and to limit the chances of producing more dander.
Don’t Make Your Pomeranian an Outdoor Dog
This is by far the most important piece of advice you can get on this topic. Dogs outdoors are subject to dust and other pollutants. When they stick to their fur and bring it inside, this would make it worse for your allergies.
Another thing related to dogs and the outdoors, the more active your dog becomes especially in the sun, the more dander they produce. Dead skin just peels off the more they sweat which means even if you bathe the dog regularly, dander produced at this high rate poses a risk to everyone in the house.
What Contributes to People’s Allergies
To be fair, dogs alone, and Poms in particular, are not the main reason your allergies are flaring up. Other factors might chip in to increase your risk. Some of these are related to the weather and the air around you while others are mainly food-related.
During the spring, flowers produce tons of pollen which fills the air and gets into your nose and lungs. Some people have low tolerance for these pollutants in the air and having a dog at home can make it worse for their allergies.
Food is another trigger. Some people are allergic to peanuts, seafood, or any other types of food. It’s worth it to consult with your doctor if you have any type of allergy and ask them if it’s okay to own a Pom.
