about a month ago i moved in with my boyfriend but since then i have realised he is allergic to my puppy 'mustang'. neither of us want to have to say goodbye to him but we dont know what options are out there. any advice on this would be great and really appreciated. thanks siobhan.
2007-11-29 20:09:03 · 28 answers · asked by Sio 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Too many people get pets only to realize they should not have. I myself was guilty of that! But I did my homework, made adjustments, endured through, and am very happy I did!
Ideally, one should not commit to a long-term pet such as a dog unless they are sure that their life situation is going to stay as it is for an indefinite period of time. (Of course, emergencies happen, but if you had been dating this guy--or heck, just single--a new bf/a move-in was always a nearby possibility.)
But...what's done is done... and unfortunately, the choices are irritatingly simple. Have bf endure, have bf try something like allergy shots (but they take time to work and endurance will still be needed), or get rid of the puppy. (I am assuming moving back out and jettisoning the bf are not options.)
The body DOES adapt. If bf stays around puppy long enough, he will get better. The immune system will learn in time not to react this way (allergies are an "overreaction" of the immune system to something harmless) but it will take a little time--and patience. (It happened for my sister, my friend's hubby, and even for me when I got my puppy--talk about some really snivel-ridden times!) In the meantime, Claritin, Allegra, Benadryl, Chlorpheniramine, etc. are all anti-allergy meds to help him through the symptoms. (I had a lot of Claritin the first few months especially and had to always carry it in my purse, my eyes itched so bad, I sneezed and sneezed, and my nose ran incessantly! But we've had Tidus about 7 months now, and it's like nothing now.)
You can try keeping puppy in particular rooms of the house only (like say the main floor only, if you have an upstairs). Just make sure that he/she still gets plenty of attn and people contact where you decide to keep him/her. Also, when going from her/his area to the "safe" one (where he/she isn't allowed), perhaps change your socks/an esp. furry shirt/etc. as soon as you enter the safe area, as not to track puppy dander there. Shake out any furry bedding/clothes/etc. OUTSIDE (away from house) before laundering, and make sure you keep puppy area clean and vacuumed regularly as well.
Of course, people should come above an animal when the back's against the wall, so to speak. However, before you might consider dumping the pooch, make sure things with bf are truly solid. Depending on how long you've been with him, and esp. since you've only lived with each other for a month (believe me, you will adjust for this next coming year), the puppy may be a much better bet than bf. However, if you decide bf is the answer and scrap the pup, just keep that in mind next time before you get an animal in the future, and chalk this one up to a lesson learned.
I wish you all luck in your new co-existence, and I do hope it works out for you! Feel free to contact me (email is available) if you have any other questions! :)
2007-11-29 20:40:56 · answer #1 · answered by Gauffsa 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My boyfriend said he was allergic to dogs when I moved in with him.
Bad news for him as I had 9 dogs!
I got a new puppy soon after I moved in & I decided to take to bed for the first few nights.It ended up sleeping in the bed & my boyfriend started sneezing.He also moaned about how itchy his eyes were too.
My reply was ' tough,you'll have to get used to it'.
Harsh words I know.
You see I am allergic to cats but I still have 2 of them.
I was allergic to them for a few weeks as kittens but it soon stopped.
Anyway, after a few months my boyfriend was so in love with my puppy that his allergy somehow completely disappeared!
He still claims to be allergic to my other dogs though, so they have to live outside.
Strange or what!
2007-11-29 20:36:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure the puppy is groomed regularly, and boyfriend has limited contact. You might not want it on your bed. sad though it may seem. The allergic reaction is from pet dander.Regular grooming may help. Keep them apart, do not let the pup play around bf's stuff. He can take allergie tablets, or see about getting the shots. Brush and groom pup away from bf, best to send it out. I wish you all a long and happy life
2007-11-29 20:18:28 · answer #3 · answered by Robin B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only options generally are, get rid of the puppy, or get rid of the boyfriend.
otherwise your boyfriend will be spending the next 10-15 years living on antihistamines to try and stop the allergic reactions
2007-11-29 23:58:47 · answer #4 · answered by animallovinggirlie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can buy antihistamines from the chemist like Piriton/Piritease and other similiar products. If his allergy is severe - like restricting his breathing for instance like it does with my brother - then I'm afraid the puppy might have to leave but you can advertise for him to go to a nice home and not put him in kennels or anything. It's a shame. My brother can't visit me as his allergy is really bad and I have two dogs, and even if I lock them in another room the fact that they're in the house is enough to set his athsma off. It's terrible. Hope your boyfriend isn't as bad as that.
2007-11-29 20:22:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buy him some anti-histamines!
Unless the allergy is very severe, he will become acclimatised to the puppy. He just needs to be careful and take antihistamines in the meantime.
2007-11-29 20:17:25 · answer #6 · answered by Dark Fairy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One of them has to go, him or the puppy.
In my own opinion would say the boy should go,or is it you who should leave his house? You know , the puppy will never decide to leave you, dogs are for life. The sneezey bouy will decide to pack and go and you will be all alone if you get rid of the puppy now.
Its up to you mate
2007-11-29 21:06:22 · answer #7 · answered by selina m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get him some anti-histamine tablets (like Benadryl) and tell him to stop whinging! Hehe just kidding (although the tablets might help), or you can make him hoover up & do the housework all the time to get rid of the pet hair. Aside from that theres not really alot you can do!
2007-11-29 20:19:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Make your boyfriend take meds and have you boyfriend not be around the puppy as much.
2007-11-30 04:03:07 · answer #9 · answered by Maddie S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The private hospital below treat this allergy-if you are in another country to the UK,do a search on allergy clinics.
2007-11-29 20:16:31 · answer #10 · answered by mr.bigz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋