Did you know that…

 
 

Who is allergic?

 

  • 5% of Canadians are allergic to dogs - that’s over 1.8 million people.

  • Allergic people include small children, the elderly, people with disabilities, people facing racial and cultural discrimination and people suffering from mental damage inflicted by having a disease that carries stigma.

 

How does it work?

 

  • Even though dog hair does not cause the allergy, it does operate as a medium for dander to cling to. Saliva and urine also contain proteins that cause the allergy.

  • The allergens are sticky. Dog dander doesn’t just stick to clothes and carpets - it even sticks to walls. (https://www.aafa.org/pet-dog-cat-allergies/)

  • Dander accumulates - it does not dissipate with time. Studies find significant amounts of it in houses without any dogs (“Concentrations of dog and cat allergens were elevated in almost all houses with pets but were also high in a significant proportion of the houses without pets.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7560654/ )

  • It is not just an issue in a home, but is prevalent in public spaces. The allergens “spread effectively and they are encountered widely in public places.” (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21645515.2017.1409315 )

  • Every time a dog passes through a public space, more dander builds up and creates a more severe reaction for people who need to use the space. Dander can cause symptoms months after the animal has been in the space. (https://www.aafa.org/pet-dog-cat-allergies/)

 

 What are the physical effects?

The physical effects are primarily caused by dander proteins that get into the eyes, nose and lungs of humans, causing:

  • Chronic asthma

    Repeated exposure to dog dander can lead to a long-term condition where you cannot get enough air into your lungs. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5809771/ )

    “Persistent exposure leads to increased morbidity and mortality.” (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5809771/ )

  • Swollen air passages

    Respiratory swelling makes it hard to breathe. People struggle to get enough oxygen.

  • Respiratory Irritation

    Sneezing, coughing, congestion and wheezing. (https://www.aafa.org/pet-dog-cat-allergies/ )

  • Induce Allergies in the Unallergic

    People without allergies can become sensitized through chronic low-level dander exposure. It can also worsen the allergies of those with other unrelated preexisting allergies.

  • Anaphylaxis

    Though an anaphylactic reaction to inhaled animal dander is rare, it does exist. An anaphylactic reaction is when an allergy is so severe that it causes the body to go into shock. It is life threatening.

What are the unseen effects?

  • Voicelessness

    • Allergic individuals have been met with aggression and shaming for having their allergy.

    • Since it is an isolating and shaming experience, it is not something that people choose to speak about. Each individual feels that they are the only one, and the experience of gaslighting is very common.

    • This in turn creates a lack of community, and a lack of support systems and systemic change.

  • Social exclusion

    People with dog allergies experience social exclusion. They often have to leave events and public spaces - even essential ones like grocery stores. “In areas with high frequency of pet ownership, community exposure to pet allergens is almost certainly sufficient to induce sensitization among non-pet owners.” (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15842959/)

  • Economic cost

    • Treating dog allergies costs the healthcare system money. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5809771/ )

      - It also costs allergic individuals money.

  • Systemic Discriminiation

    • Most people are unaware of the issue, leading to misunderstanding and negative stigma towards people who are allergic.

    • The stigma attached to not being able to engage with dogs can be debilitating.

    • The unprotected rights of allergic individuals leaves them open to bullying.

We have made every effort to ensure the information on this site is accurate and supported by research. Not to do so would undermine our message.