Do I Need to Give up My Dog Due to Kids Allergies?

In a short answer yes. I can understand your feelings for not wanting to get rid of the dog, but you are putting your dog over your son's health. Listen to your doctor and find a loving home for your dog.

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Hi S.,

Gosh, that's a real hard question, isn't it?

But, you already know the answer, don't you?

The welfare of your kids always comes first.

It's just not a healthy situation for them to be living on drugs that they could easily avoid.

So, find someone whom you trust or could trust and give the dog to that person, and get them to agree to your coming to visit the dog on some sort of a regular or irregular basis.

Now, logically, the dog's life span is not nearly as long as your kid's will be. Second, dogs, for all their wonderfulnesses (yes, that's a plural), unlike humans, can transfer their familial allegiances rather easily, and within a couple of weeks, their new home is as good as their last home.

I know from personal experience, both ways, but most recently when friends had me watch their dog for few weeks in my home, when they came back, (and they lived next door to me) their dog was truly confused and after greeting them wanted to come back into my house with me!!!

So, do the right thing. Don't feel guilty.

R. Katz, Psy.D.
www.richardkatz.org

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Hi S.,

I'm sorry to hear of your problem. I'm also sorry, some people have responded so harshly to you! I mean, here you are asking for some advice, and not everyone's comments seem helpful. (or even civil)

If I was in your situation, there are several things I would do. First, is there a way to keep your dog out of your children's rooms and play area? Do a thorough cleaning, investigate air cleaners (do they really work, does your doc think this would be helpful?). Do you have carpets that are holding the dander and making the situation worse? Go to an allergy specialist. See what he/she suggests. There may be simple solutions to the problem.

I know my dog is a great watchdog, and the best security system. I call him my "fur-child" and he is my daughter's best friend. She would be devistated if we had to get rid of him - especailly if she knew it was because she had allergies.

If you really have no other choice but to give him away, at least you will know you've done everything within your power to make things work for the whole family.

Good luck to you all!

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No question about it- Who is more important to you, the dogs or the kids? With all the newly discovered side effects and such released in the media today, do you really want to take a chance that these meds will become one of those and find out you may have been damaging your child? At the very least put the dogs outside. I don't mean to sound critical but this does seem like an easy choice to make. I would get rid of every animal in a heartbeat if it affected my kids. Shannon G.

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You asked the question, Yes I believe it is selfish to keep the dog. We are a society that would rather treat symptoms than fix the problem. That is not ok. Can your dog live outside? If not, find a good home for the dog and find one that can live outdoors. That way you can still feel protected and not harm your child every day. I would never put my son in this situation. I have 2 dogs, and I love them dearly, but if it's a choice between my child's health or the dogs, my son comes first!! Don't surrender the dog, find a home by placing an ad in the paper and interviewing the people yourself. That way you can be sure the dog goes to a loving home. Please don't put your dog before your son, that's wrong. Good luck.

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I'm sure you're a wonderful mother and I too grew up with dogs and know how great they can be, but...

How would you feel if your children developed asthma as a result of continuous exposure to a known allergen?

Do you really want to keep your child medicated unnecessarily?

If your kids grow up and decide that they want to get a dog when they are adults and deal with the allergies then that's one thing. However, you are their mother and are supposed to be protecting them from harm to the best of your ability.

This is an easy one if you really think about it and put your emotions aside. Good luck!!! I know how much a part of the family a dog becomes.

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Dear S.,
In answer to your question, Yes. Listen to your doctor. Your family will benefit in the long run.
Why in the world would you want to subject your child to a regimen of medication etc. if you did not have to?

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Is there even a question? Your children's health should come first. I have a friend who's parents chose not to get rid of a pet due to allergies which then turned into asthma. She has had to deal with life long breathing issues. Put yourself in your children's shoes. If something was making you sick, would you keep it in your house????

I completely understand the love of a pet. I am struggling with a pet who is ill and can't bring myself to make a decision on what to do. But if it came to my child's health there would be no question.

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No, I don't think it is at all selfish to want to try to keep the dog. I also find it upsetting that some people would find it appropriate to judge you on an issue that you are being so thoughtful about. I think some people are trying to make this a black and white issue, where a child's health should of course take precedence over a dog. But there are many ways to protect your child's health that don't necessarily mean giving away the dog. Some decisions are complicated, and you are clearly doing your best to consider all the factors involved in trying to BOTH protect your children's health and spare them the loss of a beloved pet. As many others have pointed out, there are things you might be able to do to make the situation even better, and there are many benefits for you and your children of having the dog. You sound like a caring mom, trust yourself.

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I certainly don't think so! To be honest, my daughter is not allergic to our pets, but my husband is. When we first got together he thought he would never be able to come near my pets, but he also began taking allergy medication and has no problems now. He actually developed an immunity to their fur and now loves our pets as much as I do. My daughter has also learned so much about treating all living beings with respect and compassion. They are such a wonderful part of the family that I believe it is worth it!

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Our Drs advised us that we could keept the dog as long as our daughter doesnt react (she did have a positive rast test to dogs). Dogs do a great job of building antibodies that can reduce the likelihood of asthma. However, if the children react, the dogs can trigger the problems.
I also don't want to get rid of our dog. But, if/when my daughter starts reacting, we will. I'd hate for our dog to make my daughter worse or to bring on/trigger asthma.
I did have one Dr suggest getting rid of him now so that in the future, she doesn't feel like she's the reason we had to get rid of a member of the family.

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I have to weigh in on the side of getting rid of the pets. You will also need to do a thorough cleaning to remove all hair and dander in order to fully stop the allergies. I found out that I and my son are both allergic to cats and hoped to keep my two, but allergy shot treatment takes time and the medicines make my son either lethargic or difficult. The allergies themselves have had an effect on his learning and behavior and they were making my own health poor too! In the end I sadly found a new home for my cats and things have been much better since. My son has other allergies too, but most are seasonal and periodic medicine will help when things are bad. While I still miss the cats, it is worth the sacrifice for our health in my opinion.

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Do your children have any allergies other than to the dog? If they have to be on the medicine anyway I don't think it would be that big of a deal, but of course, your doctor is the best judge. If they don't have any other allergies I would seriously consider finding a good home for your dog.

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Has the doctor forgotten the most important thing in the world? How about your children's feelings. Get rid of the drapes so all the perverts can look inside your house. Have to have hyperallerginic everything in the house. The animals must go.

I am glad my parents did not listen to the doctors all those years ago when we were told to get rid og the cats. I still own and love cats to this day. I have had dogs and reptiles also. If I had not had a cat to sleep between my legs for years without me hurting them I do not know how I could have been a good mother. I had to put my first son between my legs because they broke my tail bone to get him out. I would never have know what loving something that grows old and dies means. So many gifts come from animals. One of my cats would run and jump on my chest when I stopped breathing with my sleep apenia. My ex-husbands smoking made that very bad, he was not allowed to smoke in the house.

Tell the doctor that your house is your childrens haven. You can lie and say the dog is gone. Or you can tell the truth "the dog stays". Talk to the vet I think there is a dander shot that could help your son. They give the animal medication that cuts down on the dander.

I would have been devisated if my parents got ride of the pets. I need animals unconditional love. You and you kids love the dog.

My best friend washed his hands and face between each touch with his cats. He took his medicine and let them give him the love and touch he needed.

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Of course you must find a loving home for your dog. You don't really want to put meds into your 5 year old son, do you?

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I know how hard of a decision this is for you. My daughter and I both have allergies. I grew up with dogs and I LOVED them. I consistently got sicker as I got older. In high school, I was hospitalized. My parents never got rid of the pets. I didn't want them to. Since leaving their house, I've been much healthier with no pets. Since my daughter never was around pets, it's a much easier decision not to get pets. When we visit my parents (which we do very often) we both always get sick even with medication. My parents were down to one dog, and they said they wouldn't get any more when she died. They just got a new puppy.

Knowing now how much healthier I am without pets, I would advise you to get rid of your dog. I wouldn't think you're a bad mom if you kept it. I just think your sons would be healthier.

I must admit, as an adult looking back, I'm hurt that my parents chose to keep the dogs. At the time, I would've been hurt that they got rid of the dogs. The dogs were like family. It's a no win situation.

It's a very tough decision. If the medicine didn't work, it would be a no brainer to get rid of the dog. Again, I would advise you to get rid of the dog, but I know how hard it will be. Good luck.

J.

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Hello S.,

I am sure you love your children, so show it. But if the dog is effecting their health you need to listen to your Doctor and get rid of the dog, no question about it.I have to say in the nicest way possible - SNAP OUT OF IT. You would rather your child be on meds. instead of listening to your Doctor, find the dog a better home, allow your child the chance to be healthy and a chance to be healthy without possibly having to take meds. for allergies. To answer your question -it is selfish of you. I think you already know that. My husband was diagnosed with allergies and then hospitalized for asthma when he was a child because he continued to react to the pets he was allergic to that his mother kept- even thought the Doctor said "GET RID OF THE PETS." His allergies and asthma persisted and worsened with taking many meds. for the symptoms. When he finally left home his health improved drastically. Is that how you want your child to live? Suffering at all, even the slightest, through symptoms and having to be medicated. When all it takes is his mom finding the dog a better home.

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