How To Reduce Guinea Pig Allergies
If you or a member of your family, or visiting friends, start coughing and sneezing when around your guinea pigs, they’re probably allergic to them. Other symptoms of allergies are rashes, itchy eyes, and wheezy, asthmatic problems. If youre the one suffering from these symptoms, have had your guinea pigs for a while and these symptoms are a new problem, then it could still be an allergy – owners have been known to develop these reactions as a result of continued exposure to allergens throughout pet ownership.
Allergies are not caused by guinea pig hair, but by substances excreted by the animal
Its a common misconception that guinea pigs hair is the source of the allergic reaction, which actually is not the case. The allergens are contained within guinea pig saliva, urine and gland secretions. As such, buying a hairless guinea pig wont lead to an absence of allergic reactions. Hypoallergenic guinea pigs that will produce absolutely no allergic reaction do not exist.
Dont despair – there are things that can be done. First off youll need to see an allergist to be tested for a guinea pig allergy to make sure its actually your pets that are producing these symptoms, rather than things such as dust or hay. If the results come back negative, try removing some of the things that could be causing these reactions. For example, you could temporarily swap to a different type of bedding and see if that makes a difference.
Clean Clean And Clean Some More
It is essential to keep your guinea pigs cage clean, as well as the room where its kept. Regular cleaning and vacuuming with a good quality vacuum cleaner will reduce the number of allergens, and alleviate common allergy symptoms. Replace old and soiled bedding regularly and give the cage a thorough clean at least once a month.
Allergy To Your Guinea Pigs Wood Shavings
Its possible to be allergic to certain types of wood and sawdust. Just like hay, even wood shavings marked as dust extracted will contain an element of dust.
So if you use wood shavings as bedding for your guinea pigs cage, you may find that it causes you to sneeze, cough or wheeze, develop runny, itchy eyes or even skin problems such as rashes, blisters and itchiness.
You may find that your allergic reactions intensify when you clean out your guinea pigs cage as you handle the wood shavings and inhale the dust.
You May Like: How To Stop An Allergy Attack
Is There A Guinea Pig Allergy Cure
There is no cure for allergies.
However, there are things you can do to help mitigate your symptoms without giving up your pet.
First, make sure that it is your guinea pig and not the bedding or feed that is the problem.
You can do this by seeing your doctor for a referral for allergy testing or by process of elimination.
Once you have established that it is the cavy that is giving you allergies, there are steps you can take to relieve the worst of your symptoms.
If at all possible, dont keep the guinea pig cage in your bedroom. This will aggravate your allergies as you sleep.
You should also avoid playing with your guinea pig in your bedroom or on your bed or other furniture.
Perhaps the only good news about your allergies are that they mean you can delegate cage cleaning to another family member.
The urine in the cage will make your allergies worse. If you cannot delegate, wear a face mask and gloves and rise off any dusty residue after cleaning.
When you play with your guinea pigs, try to keep them away from your face, and always wash your hands thoroughly after handling your guinea pig. You may want to wash your clothes as well.
Your doctor may have additional strategies and solutions for handling pet allergies, so be sure to consult with him or her about the best course of action for you or your family member with guinea pig allergies.
What Can A Guinea Pig Be Allergic To
Guinea pigs can be allergic to dust, certain types of food and bedding, and things in their environment like smoke. Long-term exposure to these types of things can cause allergic conjunctivitis in guinea pigs.
- Dust allergy is mainly caused by dust in bedding, hay, or enclosure. Signs are mainly sneezing, running nose, and red eyes.
- Food allergy caused by some ingredients in food such as nuts, seeds, oil, ground corn, and rice bran. Symptoms are mainly labored breathing, changes in the skin, and rashes.
- Bedding allergy causes can be dust, strong scent, or soiled bedding. The symptoms are red and watery eyes, sneezing, or difficulty breathing.
- Environment allergy caused by strong scents, fumes, household chemicals, fleas, and mites. Symptoms are mainly red and watery eyes, labored breathing, and sneezing.
Do weekly health checks for your piggies. This way, you can find and fix any minor problems before they become big ones.
Read Also: Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Allergy Testing
Why Am I Allergic To Guinea Pigs
Were sorry that you are allergic to guinea pigs. Have you visited the doctor or a clinic for allergy tests? Can you find out how many allergies you have and make sure that guinea pigs are the actual culprit?
You may also have allergies to rodents or other mammals as well. Its best for you to get a complete list of possible allergies that cause your allergic reaction. You probably have a negative reaction to the proteins being secreted by guinea pigs from their saliva or urine.
The protein secretions can also be transferred over to their hair or dander. If hair or flakes of skin are dropped in areas that you frequent, you may have come into contact with it. This may cause breathing issues or rashes on your skin.
What To Do If You Are Allergic To Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs can cause allergies to some person but that doesnt mean you cannot have a guinea pig or any other pet. If you are allergic to the guinea pigs and unless the allergy is severe we can take some steps in order to stop being allergic to guinea pigs and decrease the allergens from our indoor environment.
Although there is no exact or proper cure for the same. A mix of maintaining a clean living environment and medication seems to have worked for many people who want to own a guinea pig despite the allergy.
You can learn more about pet allergies in this article from a helpful resource.
Also Check: How Long Does It Take To React To Food Allergy
What To Do If Your Guinea Pig Is Allergic To Hay
If your guinea pig seems to be allergic to the hay youre using, then switch to Orchard hay. Its a popular hay for guinea pig owners that are allergic to hay themselves OR that suspect their little friends might have had an allergic reaction to other types of hay.
Guinea pigs eat mostly hay. They need the fiber from hay to help their stomachs digest food properly.
Maybe you just bought a new batch of hay. Then you notice your furry friends are showing allergy symptoms. Heres what you can deal with it:
- Remove the hay from the packet and transfer it into a storage container. Fluff up the hay to get rid of the dust before putting it back in the cage.
- You can also use a nylon hay feeder pouch. This will help prevent dust from spreading around the enclosure.
- You can also lightly spray the hay with mist from a spray bottle to reduce the dust. Remember to spray very lightly. Guinea pigs shouldnt be fed wet hay.
Dealing With Guinea Pig Allergies
How do you know if you are allergic to your guinea pig? Well, the first thing you have to do is confirm that its really the guinea pig you are allergic to and not something else.
People often think they are allergic to the cavy, but its actually hay or the cavys bedding material thats affecting them.
If you or someone close have been experiencing the above allergic symptoms after getting the guinea pig, a visit to an allergist and a few tests can confirm or refute your suspicions.
If you really are allergic to the beautiful cuddly friend, you have some decisions to make.
But first
You May Like: Can You Mix Allergy Meds
Are Guinea Pigs Hypoallergenic Tips For Guinea Pig Allergies
Posted on Last updated: June 23, 2022
Many people think of getting themselves a pet but then they are not sure if they are allergic to the pet or not. So, its a good idea to learn everything about the pet in-depth before getting one. A few years back when I was trying to decide should I get a Guinea pig the first concern that struck my mind was about allergies. Are guinea pigs hypoallergenic? So, I did some research on allergy from guinea pigs and here is what I found out!
No, Guinea pigs are not Hypoallergenic. In fact, Any warm-blooded animal with hair, fur, or feathers can cause an allergic reaction to human beings. Many websites and people claim that there are these special little breeds that are hypoallergenic but studies claim that even the breed with No Fur or Hair can cause an allergic reaction.
But what exactly does hypoallergenic means?
The term hypoallergenic means that something is free from allergens or have very little chance to cause an allergic reaction to human beings. There are no set standards by the government for something to be hypoallergenic.
That means there is no standard procedure that we can go through and test if the thing is hypoallergenic or not. That is the reason many people claim that this product is hypoallergenic or this particular breed of the pet is hypoallergenic while its simply not true.
Contents
Preventing Guinea Pig Allergies
If you are truly committed to your companion animals, there is almost always a way. by Laurie Ansberry.
Having a guinea pig allergy doesnt necessarily mean you have to get rid of your furry pet. In fact, many people have chosen to keep their pets despite being allergic to them with some precautions.
If you test positive for guinea pig allergy, you can start with immunotherapy treatment right away to help your body stop reacting so badly to the pet.
This is a continuous allergy shot that takes about 18 months to complete, but its not a guarantee that you will be completely free of the allergies. However, it is totally worth a try if you are determined to keep your guinea pig.
Besides taking immunotherapy treatment, you can also take these precautions to protect yourself and your family from guinea pig allergies
You May Like: Can Allergies Cause Stiff Neck
How To Cope With Your Guinea Pig Food Allergy
Piggy parents with this type of allergy may find that by switching out their guinea pigs pellets to one with higher quality ingredients may help improve their allergy symptoms. Your guinea pigs will also benefit from the increase in quality of their pellets.
Just make sure that any change is done gradually as you do not want your piggies to reduce or stop eating as they adjust to the new food.If you do not wish to change your piggys pellets, you may also wish to consider using a dedicated scoop so that you do not come into direct contact with your guinea pigs pellets.
- If you suspect that youre allergic to your guinea pigs food, try a different brand. Natural grain free pellets and snacks are best for guinea pigs.
Typical Symptoms Of Allergies To Guinea Pigs
Allergic reactions to guinea pigs have not been studied as extensively as reactions to cats and dogs. The studies that are available, however, suggest that allergies to these pet rodents are similar to those caused by cats and dogs.
Most commonly people develop congestion and runny nose, itchy and teary eyes, and hives. People who have asthma could become symptomatic around guinea pigs. Some people may even develop asthma eventually because they become sensitized so much.
There are very few known cases of severe allergic reactions to guinea pigs.
Recommended Reading: What To Take For Allergies With High Blood Pressure
What Can Guinea Pigs Be Allergic To
Not every guinea pig is the same some are allergic to certain substances, while others are immune to that allergen. Some of the things that guinea pigs are allergic to are as follows:
- Chocolate Guinea pigs also dont handle chocolate very well. Animals are born to eat either grass or meat, and there isnt a place for sweet food in their diet.
- Iceberg Lettuce Guinea pigs love eating lettuce. But, iceberg lettuce is the least nutritious and can cause some stomach problems in guinea pigs. Some even say that certain kidney problems can occur, so evading it should be your priority.
- Penicillin This substance is used in the treatment of various health problems and is known to have an immediate effect. But if the guinea pig is treated with penicillin, it can result in its death.
- Aloe Vera It is excellent for people, puppies, and babies, but not for guinea pigs. The main allergic symptom of aloe vera allergy is the itchy skin that we mentioned before.
- Pine Bedding Recently, its been discovered that guinea pigs can get a strong allergic reaction to pine bedding in the form of liver damage and itchy skin. Those two allergic reactions come from mites that live in the pine, and they can even bother people, not just animals.
- Cedar Shavings Cedar bedding is known to have oil in it, and this oil is the culprit for the most allergic reactions in guinea pigs. Not only that it can evoke itchy skin and skin rash, but also cause some problems with internal organs.
How To Reduce Allergens In Your Environment
Your allergies could subside significantly if you routinely take care of your home in a way that you find effective. Universally helpful practices and routines include the following:
- Clean your pets fur with a microfiber cloth
- A HEPA air purifier is an investment that might be worth considering
- Linoleum or hardwood floors are much easier to maintain clean than carpets
- If you do have carpets, vacuum once a week at the very minimum and shampoo the carpet regularly
- If you are also sensitive to dust and wool, synthetic blankets and covers are a safer option
- Avoid upholstered furniture
- Wash your sheets often and using hot water is important. The high temperature will help get rid of any dust and pet dander mites
- Use lint rollers for any cushioned surfaces your guinea pig spends time on.
- Keep objects that could accumulate animal dander and fur, such as toys or books, in a container or covered. Wash the items frequently, if appropriate.
Discuss your allergies with a medical provider. Controlled exposure helps many afflicted people improve and even become allergy-free over time.
Don’t Miss: Are Food Allergies On The Rise
Your Furry Family Members
Cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, horses, mice and rats can all trigger asthma and/or allergies in some people. But avoiding pet allergens can be difficult if the source is a much-loved furry family member.
As allergens are stuck to the hair and skin of pets, the allergens become airborne when the pet sheds their hair. The allergens can remain airborne for some time.
Cats and dogs are a major source of allergens in the home environment. The allergens come from the sweat glands in cats and salivary glands in dogs. As all cats and dogs have sweat and salivary glands there are no breeds that do not contain allergens, although the amount of allergen released can vary between breeds.
Cat allergen is especially difficult to remove from houses it can remain in the house for months after the cat is removed. Cat allergen can be found in places where cats have never lived. For example, it can be carried around on clothing to schools and offices.
Hamster Rat Or Gerbil
If these pets are still too allergic for you, you might consider a small rodent as a pet. A hamster, rat, or gerbil will be an excellent choice. These small mammals do not produce allergens like dander, and they are very easy to care for. You can even take them out and play with them, as long as you are careful and keep them corralled so they dont get lost.
If these options do not work for you, there are many more pets that you might consider. If you are not sure if you have an allergy to a certain type of pet, you should visit an allergist for allergy testing. They can determine if you are allergic to dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, or other potential pets. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Also Check: How To Test For Shellfish Allergy
