With one in six Australian children suffering from asthma, it’s not surprising that parents wonder whether bringing a cat or dog into the house will increase the chances of asthma and allergies in their loved ones.

However, the latest research reveals that owning a dog in the early stages of a child’s life can actually guard against the development of allergic reactions by lowering the sensitivity to mixed pollen and other inhalants.

If someone in your house does have asthma or believes that they may have an allergic reaction to pets, a good first step is to visit a doctor or allergy specialist to diagnose exactly which element of your pet may be causing the reaction.

Many people are surprised to discover that it is not the fur of the pet that’s causing the problem, but the dander (dead skin cells). In the case of pet cats, it could even be the saliva that they use to groom themselves with. Some even find that they are only allergic to new dogs or cats, which eases over time with regular exposure.

You can further minimise the risk of allergic reactions by identifying a suitable breed of dog or cat and by managing your pet and home environment.

Poodles, Bichon Frise and Bedlington Terriers have a wool-like coat which has very low shedding attributes. However, crossing the Poodle, Bichon Frise and Bedlington Terrier with other breeds will not guarantee that all or any puppies in the litter will have the non-shedding coat. Many of the “oodles” have been bred for their “hypoallergenic” coat, but if you want to be 100% sure, it’s best to buy a purebred.

The Cornish Rex and Devon Rex cat breeds also have a non-shedding, light coat that requires owners who are prepared to keep them indoors. The cuddly Siberian cat may be the perfect answer for those with an allergy to cat saliva as it produces a very low amount of the protein (FEL D-1) that causes allergic reactions.

Further allergy reducing steps include: keeping pets out of the bedroom; keeping pets off the furniture; cleaning and vacuuming regularly; grooming and brushing pets often (outside if possible); and bathing pets regularly.

By following a few easy steps, people who suffer from pet allergies may find that they can take advantage of all the pet owning benefits without suffering the discomfort.