https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:25:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pet-allergies#post-2845546 Fri, 14 Sep 2018 20:58:38 +0000 Jess1483 2845546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I take allergy shots for cats and dogs (and horses, dust, grass, pollen, mold, etc. I tested positive for 46 allergens...) I've now done about 6 years of shots (they re-adjusted my dog and cat one after a couple years because it wasn't strong enough.) I'm pretty much over it now, but it's been a huge change in my allergies. Really worth it for me.</p> <p>As a side note, I was also allergic to guinea pigs, so be sure you aren't just trading an animal to which you are allergic for another animal to which you are allergic ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pet-allergies#post-2845541 Fri, 14 Sep 2018 20:10:27 +0000 Iced Tea 2845541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a lot of animals over the years, and a guinea Pig was one of my favorites. They are so chill and cuddly compared to other small animals. We would take ours out to the yard where he’d happily munch on clover and run around. We didn’t have a fence, but he never tried to run away. </p> <p>Don’t get a hamster; they act they’re on speed and tend to keep people up at night. </p> <p>I feel like reptiles can be fun to watch but aren’t very interactive. That might suit your needs at some point though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pet-allergies#post-2844956 Wed, 12 Sep 2018 12:37:14 +0000 ElbieKay 2844956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am allergic to cats. Just itchy eyes though. No asthma.</p> <p>We have two Siberian cats because they are hypoallergenic. I had an infrequent, mild reaction when we initially got Marshall but it was no big deal and after a few weeks I think I became desensitized. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pet-allergies#post-2844941 Wed, 12 Sep 2018 12:10:29 +0000 Becky 2844941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lahela017: thanks for this feedback. We had a parenting fail saying we’d get guinea pigs (2) this year and I think we might need to wait. The kids love pets and I think the socializing part would be fine, and from what you said I feel like I could handle cleaning the cage weekly and vacuuming the poops with a dust buster. Lots to think about! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pet-allergies#post-2844900 Wed, 12 Sep 2018 10:19:39 +0000 Lahela017 2844900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: Yeah, they are more work than little kids could handle. As a kid, we didn't get them until my sister and I were in middle school and could really handle doing more. I would expect that if kids are much younger than that, the parents need to be far more involved. As far as daily work, we give them food and water, and take them out to play. Once a week we clean their cage. We use fleece bedding, so it only takes 5 minutes to change the bedding, but it's an extra load of laundry, and we vacuum up the poops in their cage once a day.</p> <p>Guinea pigs are wonderful pets and I love that they each have their own personality, but they are a bit more involved that some people realize, so I'm glad you are thinking about that. There are too many in rescues because parents think their kids will take care of them, but the kids get bored quickly or are just too young to do much. That being said, they are less work than a dog for sure and probably on par with a cat. Also, they are very social, so you really need to get a pair. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pet-allergies#post-2844892 Wed, 12 Sep 2018 10:07:50 +0000 Becky 2844892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lahela017: We initially said we’d get a gunnies pig but I’m worried about how much work it is. DD1 can barely put her shoes away, let alone clean a cage and feed and water a pet. How labor intense is it in reality? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pet-allergies#post-2844877 Wed, 12 Sep 2018 09:36:40 +0000 bhbee 2844877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My shot situation is just like @Sams Mom: mentioned. With our old insurance it was totally covered (though the insurance co couldn’t confirm for me when I tried to find out in advance! Just when it was billed). That was super nice. Both that and current plan were HDHP but had different coverages I guess. Now we pay (before meeting deductible) for the serum (several hundred abotut twice a year) and the shots ($14 each time for both that I get). So I’d definitely explore the cost option with your insurance. </p> <p>But I am allergic to lots in addition to pets and probably wouldn’t bother just for that. The time commitment is pretty big - I did it as a kid and restarted as an adult when my dd needed them also. I wouldn’t bother if it wasn’t affecting quality of life for me (and her). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pet-allergies#post-2844875 Wed, 12 Sep 2018 09:25:06 +0000 Sams Mom 2844875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband does allergy shots. The good thing about them is after the initial testing and appointment, you don't technically have office visits for the shots. So no co pay. For his shots they basically have a time frame that you show up (no appointment required) and pull a number, when they call your number a nurse grabs your bottle of cocktail and gives you a shot (so you technically never take the doctors time or use an appointment room), you have to wait for 15-20 minutes after the shot to ensure no terrible reactions happen, and you're on your way. I think it's like $2 to us everytime he gets a shot. </p> <p>He is allergic to a litany of things, but cats and dogs are on the list; we have both. He doesn't react to one of our cats as is (she's a calico and they're kind of a genetic anomaly anyways), and the long haired cat is starting to not bother him about 2 months into shots. He's always had dogs and just dealt with the minor reaction (but has found that he reacts to hounds/oily dogs like bloodhounds, bassets, vishlas, and so on worse than others).</p> <p>As to non furry pets, I have no recommendation, but maybe a hypoallergenic dog like a shitzu or havanese, or something along those lines? Hairless cats creep me out, but I guess thats an option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pet-allergies#post-2844874 Wed, 12 Sep 2018 09:22:17 +0000 Lahela017 2844874@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm very allergic to dogs and cats and I haven't done shots, so no advice on that. But I think the cost would be too much for me to consider them in your situation.</p> <p>Can you get tested for other animals? I'm totally fine with hamsters and guinea pigs so that's what we have. I really love guinea pigs. They live longer than other small animals and you can play with them. They like to get pet and will interact more with kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pet-allergies#post-2844870 Wed, 12 Sep 2018 09:09:08 +0000 Becky 2844870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is a two part question:<br /> 1. Has anyone done immunotherapy (allergy shots/desensitization) for car or dog dander? I’m allergic to both. I’m a big cat person but in college developed asthma when I had a cat living in the house and had to give it to a coworker. I’m toying with the idea of getting desensitized but am wondering if it’s worth it. Daily shots for a week, then weekly shots for like 7 months than monthly shots to bring everything to a total of 5-6 years. And there’s likely a $20 copay so it costs a bunch. I did allergy shots for bees because I was severely allergic but I was a kid and they let my parents, who are nurses, give the shots at home so we didn’t have copays or office visits. </p> <p>2. Any recommendations for non furry pets? I like pets for the cuddle factor but maybe my kids would like a lizard or something. Fish are out—been there done that and the kids have no interest. If we had a barn I’d do a barn cat because we know a lot of people who have barns and barn cats but our garage just wouldn’t cut it. </p>