My son is allergic to animal fur but wants a pet he can pet. A Rex guinea pig has been suggested,any ideas?

Question

My son is allergic to animal fur but wants a pet he can pet. A Rex guinea pig has been suggested,any ideas?

Answer 1

Most people that are allergic to animals are allergic to the dander.  If a dog isn't out of the question, try getting a non shedding dog.  Their hair is different and they don't have the dander.  Most people with animal allergies are not allergic to poodles.

Answer 2

smooth-haired guinea pigs, 2 females, wd be good.

not abysynnian or any breed that has longer hair.

i am allergic to animal fur/scurf but hv no problem with 2 guinea pigs. .

gd luck

Answer 3

Ok, fish could work. But as he's your son, i'd suggest maybe a leopard gecko or ball python. If he's more of a rodent kinda guy, i'd go for a hairless rat. Defferiently!.

Answer 4

A difficult one this, if he is allergic to them you don’t even have to handle them, for them to cause a reaction, just being in the same room is enough. It is not the fur you have to worry about. One of the major causes of allergic reactions to animals is not the hair / fur, but what’s actually under it. Small scales from the skin, hair of the animal, are known as dander. Dander occurs naturally as the epidermis, (this is the outer layer of skin) renews itself. This is very similar to dandruff on humans, but only much smaller. Dander can have allergic reactions to sensitive individuals, it is small, and light, and can remain airborne for very long periods of time. The animal’s hair / fur is not considered to be a very significant allergen.

With rabbits, rats, mice, hamsters and guinea pigs the most important sources of allergens are the saliva and urine. Once dry, these secretions become airborne and can be a source of allergic reactions.

Answer 5

There are what they call skinny guinea pigs. Hairless guinea pigs, but from what I have heard, they are difficult to take care of. These sites can tell you more about guinea pigs in general: www.guinealynx.com

www.guineapigcages.com

If your child has allergies, I wouldnt recommend a guinea pig because they need hay 24/7. They are really high mantenience animals even though they are small. I have 18, which is pushing it, but even with four it was work.

I know it sounds awful to some, but from what I have heard, rats are very clean creatures. Whatever you do, do not buy from a petstore, they come from bybs and mills, a rat/guinea pig rescue can tell you more reputable information.

Answer 6

You can always get a hairless rat or mouse ( i think they have special breeds of them) or even a reptile like an iguana.

Answer 7

Don't get a guinea pig.  They are one of the most allergenic animals.  So are rabbits.  Get a pet that is hairless like a hairless rat.  You could also get a reptile.  If you get a dog that is hypoallergenic it won't affect his allergies.  My husband is allergic to dogs but we have a Cockapoo.  He is hypoallergenic so he doesn't shed at all.

Answer 8

Their a bit big but I think poodles are supposed to be good at not causing allergies, or any crosses like cockerpoos, and labradoodles. Try the local pet sanctuary and they might be able to advice you more on suitable pets. Otherwise why not try hairless pets like hairless rats or hamsters?

Answer 9

Try a jackadoodle, its a breed of dog crossed between a Jack Russell & a Poodle, these have been specially bred to allow people with allergies to keep dogs.

Answer 10

Try a lizard or geko - they can be great pets - maybe look into getting a couple of Leopard Gekos - they are beautiful and are fascinating to watch when they hunt. Another good choice would be a Bearded Dragon - these are a little larger but very cute lizards. I had a pair that used to love laying on my chest  and having their chins stroked.

Answer 11

Hairless animals are quite good.

If his allergy is a breathing one, like asthma, a gerbil may work (they have thick fur and don't moult), but if it's a touching one, anything with hair will cause a reaction. But you can get hairless guinea pigs, rats and mice- you just need to find the right breeder!

Answer 12

The allergy is really to animal danders, dandruff. All animals shed some skin, so if you insist on a mammal, some dogs are hypoallergenic, that is, only mildly allergic. Poodles are an example.

Another alternative is a reptile he can pet. Bearded dragons and Leopard Geckos are very tame. So are ball pythons.

Good luck!

Answer 13

Baldwins and skinny pigs... they are very ugly but it will do

Answer 14

well..... now a days thanks to smart people we have hairless dogs, cats, rats, mice and who knows what else!

i sugest a rat out of all of them thought!

Answer 15

maybe a bird

Answer 16

ALLERGIES

Allergies to guinea pigs are common. Exposure to guinea pigs has frequently been associated with occupational asthma. About 10% of allergen activity is found on particles small enough to penetrate into the lower respiratory tract. Guinea pig urine appears to be the major source of allergen. Other allergenic components are found in dander, fur and saliva.

hairless aren't all hairless

These pigs are for the most part hairless except for coarse hair around the head and extremities.

dogs:

http://www.ahts.net/ahts_and_allergies.h...

http://www.gomestic.com/Pets/The-Advanta...

http://www.littlebuddies.org/allergies.h...

recommend visiting before you get something.

Answer 17

There is no true Hypo-allergenic pet... but some breeds produce less allergens then others... the theories vary on why. Here's a couple of links to dogs and cats that are considered hypo-allergenic... couldn't find anything on guinea pigs, sorry.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/allergy.htm

http://www.catsofaustralia.com/hypoaller...

Answer 18

Is a reptile out of the question?

Answer 19

A hairless rat, an egytian hairless (cat) or a mexican hairless (dog).

Answer 20

How about a baldwin or skinny? They are hairless/nearly hairless guinea pigs.

They are quite expensive though.

Answer 21

well Im assuming hes quite young.. so fish are out of the question.. if he is young.. a repltile is also out of the question.. due to their jumpiness, some bite.. and they need dead (and sometimes more often) live animals like crickets. this may fascinate him ..biut.. you'll probably be the one clearing up after  awhile

I dont sugest anytype of dog, cat or rodent.. due to the dander that they give off, surprisingly..  hairless dogs give off more dander(their skin comes offeasier, as its open to the elements)  rex guineas are just piggies with twisted fur, and need alot of brushing.

I strongly suggest you get a bird, a brilliant started bird would be a budgue, they are qute qieut, very tame, characterful, easy to care for and small :)

the whoel family can get involved.

either that of a cockatiel, although these shed a protein, a bit like mammal dander, which can make some people allergic to birds, so I suggest a budgie

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