Pets and allergies

[HeartDesires]

Some people think pets are fashion accessories or pieces of furniture to be discarded at whim.

 

Agree. Pets are family members as far as I'm concerned.

 

And as far as allergies, it's medically possible to build up immunity - I did.

[salparadise]

If you think pets are disposable, that is not good caretaking.

 

See, there you go again. I didn't say that pets are disposable; I said that your perspective is merely that, nothing more or less. You don't have a clue as to my relationship with pets. You seem to actually believe that you have some higher authority to define a truth based on your feeling, but you have no more authority than anyone else and not everyone think and feels the same as you. I think you are just a bit limited.

Edited January 26, 2014 by salparadise

[lollipopspot]

See, there you go again. I didn't say that pets are disposable; I said that your perspective is merely that, nothing more or less. You don't have a clue as to my relationship with pets. You seem to actually believe that you have some higher authority to define a truth based on your feeling, but you have no more authority than anyone else and not everyone think and feels the same as you. I think you are just a bit limited.

 

"If" you think. Read the posts you respond to, man.

 

Also: a response on a message board is always someone's perspective. Amazing, huh.

 

Anyway, god told me that if you think that pets are disposable, you are not a very good caretaker. Dumping a pet when something better comes along is not good caretaking and people who do that ought not to own pets. If you really want to argue that's good caretaking, go right ahead, but you may need to redefine the word "good."

Edited January 26, 2014 by lollipopspot

[newmoon]

there is a guy in my neighborhood that (no joke) takes a walk with his pet parrot or whatever the bird is every single day. it sits on his shoulder and they walk for about an hour. I see them when I walk my dogs. And a friend of mine is still in anguish over a fish she lost several years ago; she was like, in love with the fish for 10 years. no matter what type of pet people have they bond to it and use it for support/affection, etc. when they need it. no pet is disposable to an owner, at least a caring owner

[Shepp]

What's your stance on reconciling pets and allergies?

Do you believe there is a way to compromise on the issue?

If you are a pet owner, would you consider: moving to a bigger place (so the pets can have their own space), moving the pets outside, or finding the pet a new home, under any circumstances?

 

I'd give them two options - take piriton tablets or walk

 

Seriously, pets are family and I'm loyal, you don't rehome your family when times are tough so I wouldn't do it to my pets.

 

I take piriton antihistamine every morning if I'm gonna be helping out on my friends farm - its just one of those things, it doesn't hurt you, its dead simple.

[janedoe67]

We had a dog named Snowflake when I was around 6 or 7. My little brother had terrible asthma that was getting worse. It was determined that snowflake was making him sicker. We gave Snowflake to one of my friends.

 

Anyone who cannot see the distinction between an animal and one's children...well, I hope to God they are not a parent.

 

That said, I love my puppy. If someone tries to take her from me they will have to rip her from my cold dead hands

[lucy_in_disguise]

 

And as far as allergies, it's medically possible to build up immunity - I did.

 

That is actually scientifically false.

[lucy_in_disguise]

I don't think anyone is saying pets are disposable. When discussing rehoming, i am assuming the new home will meet the pet's needs.

 

But surely, it is acceptable to feel the comfort of some humans is more important than your pet's?

 

What if you had a kid who turned out to be extremely allergic to your cats? Would you force the kid to get shots for 6 years, or give up your cats?

 

To me, that's a no-brainer...

 

No, it is not the same as a romantic relationship, but surely the animal caretaking question is not so black and white.

[Daisy2013]

I a a pet lover and have several. If someone in our household developed severe allergies, it would kill me to rehome my pets, but I might. It would be a family decision. A new guy? That's easy. He walks. I wouldn't ask him to suffer for me and I would never go suddenly pet less voluntarily. I believe when you bring one into the home, it is for its life. I could consider not adding to my future pet population if he were incredible and we were perfect in every other way...if he could handle what I had at present.

[ThatMan]

I don't think anyone is saying pets are disposable. When discussing rehoming, i am assuming the new home will meet the pet's needs.

 

But surely, it is acceptable to feel the comfort of some humans is more important than your pet's?

 

What if you had a kid who turned out to be extremely allergic to your cats? Would you force the kid to get shots for 6 years, or give up your cats?

 

To me, that's a no-brainer...

 

No, it is not the same as a romantic relationship, but surely the animal caretaking question is not so black and white.

Wait a moment - so why are you making this out to be black and white?

 

If some kid has allergies then I hope the parents will be responsible enough to seek medical advice from a qualified professional. And you should be responsible enough to do the same for yourself.

 

People's safety and comfort is incredibly important. But why are you using an imaginary example to suggest that there's only two options? Building tolerance to an allergen is absolutely something you may accomplish. So why haven't you gone to a certified allergist yet?

[Fluttershy]

That is actually scientifically false.

 

Actually... You are the one that is wrong. In fact the shots that ate given to people for allergies and I knoe they work first hand are a cocktail of a low dose of the allergens. Small enough amount for the body to handle.

 

It is very common for a person to develop a tolerance to their own pet while still reactin to other people's. Most doctors don't like to mention this but a friend's did. So instead of throwing in the towel she got te shots, paid attention to her symptoms (drastic worsening, asthma, ect). In the end, she has zero reaction to her dog and cat. But if she gets around a new one... Yikes! Allergies are still very heavily being researched. It is a very big debate with lots of different opinions. But it has been seen that for whatever reason some people have developed a tolerance for their own pet. Others don't. And then there is the whole placebo side of things! The mind can do terrible things... And good things. (i know a guy who visited a house eith cats, always claimed to be highly allergice so the cats were locked up and he wasn't told they were there because everyone wanted him to come. He was fine. For two visits. But the third one someone mentioned the cats and he started reacting (stuffy nose, runny eyes, ect). It was crazy!

 

As fat as rehoming pets. I'm not against it at all. Never had to myself permantly but for short bits. And actually my cat took it way harder than my dog. He stopped interacting with people and only came out of his hiding spot when I visited. Dogs are as a rule way more adaptable the cats. Cats don't like change. My cat didn't mind being moved so long as her person remained the same.

 

If I were to choose between love and growin old with someone and my pet... I'd choose love. But only when I knew that it was the person I wanted to die with. My kids or a pet... My kids. I have a hiarchy in the family. It is called people first...

[lucy_in_disguise]

Wait a moment - so why are you making this out to be black and white?

 

If some kid has allergies then I hope the parents will be responsible enough to seek medical advice from a qualified professional. And you should be responsible enough to do the same for yourself.

 

People's safety and comfort is incredibly important. But why are you using an imaginary example to suggest that there's only two options? Building tolerance to an allergen is absolutely something you may accomplish. So why haven't you gone to a certified allergist yet?

 

Never said there's only two options. Actually, I have lived in homes with cats in the past and was able to effectively manage my symptoms, mostly without relying on drugs, by NEVER letting the cats in my bedroom, frequently vacuuming/ washing my sheets, making sure I always washed my hands after touching the cats, and using an air purifier.

 

Some posters have said keeping the cats in one space was not acceptable (keeping them iut of the bedroom). It appears to be the same case with the guy I am dating. His cats have reign of his whole apartment and are used to sleeping in his bed. They did not take kindly to being locked out of the bedroom when I stayed over.

 

I am not saying it needs to be love vs. pets. There is a lot of middle ground where to compromise, and it also depends on the level of symptoms.

 

Personally, I am opposed to taking medication on a permanent basis unless absolutely necessary, and would prefer to let go of the relationship, if it was not possible to manage my symptoms by making some compromises, or rehoming the pet.

 

As someone mentioned, allergies are on the rise, so surely this is a common issue. I wanted to get an idea of others thoughts/ expectations.

[FitChick]

That is actually scientifically false.

You are wrong. My friend was deathly allergic to cats and forced himself to spend time at his girlfriend's place. Shorter initially and gradually lengthened his stays. He overcame his allergy with exposure. Doctors use a similar technique with patients and I think it is also the basis for homeopathic remedies as well.

 

How old are the cats? If they are old, you can wait for them to die and then move in.

[MissBee]

I agree to an extent. It would not be a good sign if he considered getting rid of his cats for someone he just met. I am happy to experiment with medication for the odd sleepover.

 

However, I am wondering about the hypothetical situation down the line, not necessarily in this particular relationship, but any serious relationship with a cat owner.

 

For me, it would be a big compromise to medicate myself full-time in order to be able to function in my own home. But, I understand giving up your pets would be difficult as well.

 

I would never expect someone to give up a dog. I know I will be flamed for this, but to me, it seems like cats don't get as attached, so finding a new home for a cat is more acceptable under the circumstances.

 

I am not a huge animal person.

 

I don't have pets and don't have a big interest in having any pets besides an aquarium and I also love horses and could see myself owning one in the future.

 

Cats and dogs and such aren't my thing, but I do understand that for some others it's very important to them. I am deathly afraid of cats, but not allergic, and I cannot imagine myself trying to be okay with living with a cat much less multiple. It hasn't ever come up in a relationship for me, so I don't know firsthand but I imagine that I would have to count this as one of those non-negotiable things. In any relationship you have to compromise but the compromise is not one person giving up something, but two people meeting each other half way. A compromise IMO isn't you medicating yourself for life, it has to be where he meets you halfway and comes up with a solution where not only one person is severely disadvantaged. I wouldn't medicate myself to be with a cat owner but if I liked him a lot I would try to find a middle ground. But if I am mostly uncomfortable or he is, then I would simply have to decide that this might not be meant to be.

Edited January 28, 2014 by MissBee