According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, around one in every ten in the United States are allergic to one or more animals. However, people who are prone to be sensitive to regular allergens found in houses such as dust mites and molds may not realize that they could also be allergic to pets. It is possible for symptoms of animal allergies to arise long after you first take your pet home from the store, so you might miss them at first contact.

In reality, it's not the animals themselves that people are allergic to. Rather, it is the dander, or dead skin, made by your pets, that causes the symptoms of allergies. These allergens can also come in the forms of saliva, blood, or the urine of the animal. If your pet is an indoor animal that freely runs around the house, these allergens can move from room to room with relative ease. Items with cloth, like furniture or the carpet, attract large amounts of allergens. Every time you touch your pets or clean their living spaces, dander clings to your hands and clothing, and even you become a ride for allergens.

The Late Development of Animal Allergy Symptoms

It is possible to develop certain allergies if your parents had the same allergies. The likelihood of developing these allergies is passed through genes. When your body is initially exposed to an allergen, it may start to make antibodies for that allergen. It is the antibodies that are present in your airways that mix with allergens that cause the symptoms of allergies or asthma. An antibody can take anywhere from a few weeks to several years to develop, so even though you may not sneeze the first time you play your puppy or kitten, it doesn't mean that you're not allergic to it.

The Common Symptoms of Animal Allergies

These symptoms are generally the same as those for different allergies, which include:

• Sneezing
• Watery eyes, need to scratch
• Irritated Skin
• Coughing, short of breath

Just because you or someone in your household develops animal allergies, it doesn't mean that you have to get rid of the pet. By limiting the amount of dander in the house, for instance, keeping the pet out of bedrooms and regularly washed, most people are able to keep their animals. Consult your doctor for other ways you can control your animal allergies. It may be possible to control allergic symptoms to the point where a comfortable environment is possible for you and your pet, given the severity of your symptoms.