When people say they are allergic to cats or dogs, how often does it really mean

[Anonymous]

that they don't like cats or dogs?

[Anonymous]

Hahah ehm.... no idea. =S I am sightly allergic to dogs (used to be much more allergic as a kid), but I'm ignoring that fact since I love them so much. Luckily it has worked out really well with my dog that I've had now for two years. Not too many symptoms, and nothing I can't deal with. However, my point is, the fact that I am allergic to dogs (and to some much more than others) was always something that lay heavy on my heart when I grew up... I couldn't believe how unfair life was, that I would have to be allergic, when I loved them so much. Not just dogs, but other animals as well.

With this in mind I HOPE that people don't use this as an excuse for not liking dogs and cats.... =( It's okay not to like them (even though I find people who don't like animals rather creepy, haha), but don't use allergies as an excuse.... since actually having allergies REALLY suck.

But so no, not everyone with pet allergies are pet haters. =/

[Anonymous]

I don't like cats but am not allergic!

[Anonymous]

My husband is allergic to cats and dogs, and I think his dislike of them is related to them making him feel bad & triggering asthma attacks.

[Anonymous]

No, it doesn't unless they have problems expressing their true feelings. But, if that's the case, you can't really believe anything else they say.

You can develop an allergy at any time. Many people (but not all) can reduce the effect of the allergy through immunotherapy. I'm not allergic to animals but my mother has a very severe allergies to cats. Took a while to discover since we lived on a farm. It was so bad she could tell any barn the cats had been in and how long ago it was by how quickly her eyes started swelling.

[Anonymous]

As often as people lie about little things, I guess.

I'm allergic to cats. I'm not a huge fan of dogs, but I don't claim to be allergic to them.

[Anonymous]

Do we now have to present our IgE antibody count to you, OP, so you can check if we're telling the truth?

DS and I are very allergic to cat dander (and peanuts, and all sorts of pollen, etc).

Thankfully none of us are "very" allergic to dogs, and hope to have one in the future.

[Anonymous]

I'm mildly allergic to cats and just adopted a kitten. I hate almost all dogs and have never claimed to be allergic to them

[Anonymous]

People I know just straight up day, "I don't like cats or dogs."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People I know just straight up day, "I don't like cats or dogs."

say

[Anonymous]

I'm very allergic to cats, not allergic to dogs. I dislike people like OP who question people's "allergy" levels and motives.

[Anonymous]

I'm allergic to cats but after I live with a particular cat it won't bother me after awhile. When I go to someone else's house with cats for too long it will affect me

[Anonymous]

I don't question it when people say that they are allergic. However, my mother suddenly developed an allergy to our cat after I left for college and she had to start changing the litter box. The cat had to be given away. I had my doubts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband is allergic to cats and dogs, and I think his dislike of them is related to them making him feel bad & triggering asthma attacks.

This. It's hard to develop a like of things that make you miserable. Also pointless.

[Anonymous]

I'm actually allergic to cats. Like eyes puffy and watering until an hour after I leave your house. It makes me very uncomfortable - but no I do not get asthma attacks.

Why question someone's allergies? DH has a friend who claims he is allergic to mushrooms. We think it is BS, but we'll never know because we follow that restriction.

This thread reminds me of those MILs who sneak peanuts and dairy to the grandkids and almost kill them because they thought the DIL was making it up to be a pain.