The Connection Between Pets and Asthma

Animal hair is a common asthma trigger. If you are already have a much loved pet when asthma first becomes a problem, do not rush into getting rid of the animal. You need to discuss with your doctor how seriously your child is likely to be affected by its presence.

The trauma of losing the pet could also cause your child to have an asthma attack, so you need to consider the situation carefully before making a decision.

So, how do we minimize the risks? Remember to brush the animal outside the house every day to remove excess hair and dust which it would shed indoors if you did not. Guinea pigs and rabbits should live in outside hutches and your child should not cuddle or handle them too much.

So, what is the alternative? Fortunately it is possible to find some pets that are unlikely to trigger an asthma attack. Your child may enjoy caring for one of the less common animals and insects, such as geckos, lizards and stick insects.

A gold fish in a bowl or a more elaborate aquarium with a range of different fish may also appeal, surveys have shown keeping fish to be calming, and therefore could be beneficial to your child.

Many such pets can be kept in your child's room without risk of provoking an attack, and thus may become very special to their owner.

It is worth taking advice from your local vet before buying an unusual pet as some can be expensive to purchase and feed and may require expert handling to keep them in good health. Lifespan may also be short.