Need help deciding on a pet

[bygones75]

We are animal lovers here, but in a very small house. We have one outdoor cat (adopted feral, somewhat tame, but does not like kids) and a coop of chickens in the yard who are friendly but not lap chickens. My older son Thomas is four. He really wanted a cat of his own so we adopted Peeta a month ago... the sweetest kitty ever, and Thomas is so attached. Problem is that I am horribly allergic to him. I asked for help here and on the allergies board. Got lots of lovely suggestions, and man, we tried all of them. HEPA vacuum and air filters, keeping him out of my room, wipes and sprays, 30 pills/supplements a day, dietary changes... but I can't do it anymore. I just can't breathe and am getting repeated sinus infections. So on Sunday, Peeta is returning to the cat fostering agency.

This will be so hard on Thomas. I just feel awful. I knew I was mildly allergic to cat and dogs, but I've had plenty in my 34 years and never had a problem beyond a mild sniffle here and there. I don't know if it was just Peeta or if my allergies have just gotten worse with age, but I can't ever take a chance on a cat again.

I know getting another pet right away is not a good idea. But I'd like to start researching. Someone mentioned rabbits, and I've been reading here and on rabbit.org. Doesn't seem like an ideal pet for a 4 year old, huh? Guinea pigs (which I had growing up as well) are lovely, but in my mind are too fragile for my son's age. He really wants something to cuddle, which is why Peeta was so great. Any other ideas?

I'm sorry this is such a book. I am terribly upset. Thomas is a really sensitive kid and this cat was so good for him. I'm feeling like a bad mom at the moment. Any tips or friendly advice is really appreciated.

Thank you,

[rhubarbarin]

Aw, I'm so sorry. So nice of you to try everything you could, but your health comes before having a pet in the house.

I really don't know what to suggest. No caged animals would be appropriate for a 4-year-old to cuddle. Your best bet might be a breed of cat or dog known to be better for people with allergies (very little dander).. Sphinx or Rex for cats (they are funny-looking, but great personalities) and there are lots of dog breeds that are supposed to be good for allergies, most of them smaller and fluffy with hair that needs to be cut (very little shedding, as a bonus). Poodles, Bichons, Havenese, Maltese, Shih Tzus, are some of the more common breeds I can think of.. all are generally very sweet little dogs. I myself have a Tibetan Terrier and she hardly sheds, is odorless, and has never made anyone sneeze, not even those with the worst allergies.

If you choose to go this route I would first try to seek out and spend plenty of time with your nose on the animal you are going to bring home to make sure it is not going to make you sick!

You can contact breed rescue organizations if you want a certain breed of course, no need to get involved with breeders/puppies unless you want to.

[bygones75]

Thanks for your kind suggestions.

I knew about allergen-free dog breeds, but most of those breeds are not recommended for small children, yes? I'd need to do more research, but it's not out of the question.

I didn't know there were cat breeds that were recommended for people with allergies!! How exciting! I will look into that too... would definitely want to spend time at a rescue or a breeder's home to see how my breathing does.

Thank you again for your help.

[tinyblackdot]

Could it be the season and time of year and not the cat?

[andreac]

I don't have any suggestions for pets, but I just wanted to say that I would be concerned about reacting to guinea pigs as well. I have a moderate to severe cat allergy and I reacted far worse to guinea pigs than I ever have to cats. I had this horrible case of bronchitis that just wouldn't go away, I was on meds, had a chest x-ray, the works. Then we went to spend the weekend at my in-laws, who have 2 cats and I realized I felt better at their place than I had felt in ages. So whatever pet you consider, definitely try to spend some time with them first.

[bygones75]

Melanie, definitely the season is not helping. (I'm allergic to a loooot of things.) But I feel much better when I sleep at my mom's house, so I'm taking that as a sign.

Andrea, thanks for the note on guinea pigs. sigh. This is hard. I'm praying about it and hoping for some enlightenment...