Hypoallergenic Pets: Animals to Keep If You’re Allergic to Hair

Animals are the gift that keeps on giving

 It’s human nature to want companionship and it seems like more and more often people are choosing the chance to bring pets into the home whether or not they have a companion in the form of a partner. Pets provide us with lots of things we really value as people. Something to hang out with, to start off. The phrase “a man’s best friend” didn’t come from nowhere, and this is exactly what dogs are. Loyal, excitable and fun to play with, they’re almost the perfect pet. A true best friend.

There are plenty of other animals too that people have commonly in their home. Cats, too, are a popular species. Offering something different than dogs, cats are mysterious, slinking around the home, dedicated to their owner only when they have something to offer them, and then once that is over, they will take to the streets, or the rest of the house in search for a great place to lay their head. The hamster, the gerbil, the rat. All are other animals that are popular as pets. The hold these creatures have over people is impressive and emotional.

With this in mind, this additional dedication, love, and sense of home that pets offer, what is there to do if you can’t have a pet? Hair allergy is quite a common ailment, but the fact that the most outwardly loving animals seem to be covered in fur means that those with allergies in this sense must be left to consider a life without a dog to pet or a cat to bother after. But does it mean that these people are forever consigned to missing out on this additional happiness? Well, not exactly. It just means they’ll have to look for a pet that doesn’t have hair. Of which there are many, in all types of exotic shapes and sizes.

READ Animal Bites: What First-Aid Protocol Should You Follow?

A lot of the pet suggestions we have are more unusual than your average choices. But thinking outside the box can mean that you will be able to still have another cute addition to your household without the bother of the irritating hair that causes you so many problems. The attachment and love you give to an animal aren't for the type of pet, it’s made by the time you spend with them, so we’ve picked some of the best choices you can go with to avoid any allergic reactions.

It’s worth remembering that not all of these types of creatures are everyone’s cup of tea. There are some exotic animals here and some people really won’t take to them. But they’re also pretty common as pets and nothing here is exceptionally harmful, they’re just not classed as your usual pick. Take a look and maybe you too will choose some of these to be your non-furry friends!

Here are Some Pets to Consider

Snake

Surely you all knew this was going to be on the list? Our slithery friends are more commonplace than you might imagine, with most large pet stores stocking them and quite a cult of pet owners keeping them. You hold them in a tank, not dissimilar to a fish tank (but without the water!) and then decorate the tank with a variety of branches, stones, and leaves to help them settle in as if they were in their own natural habitat. They’re one of the more polarizing animals to keep as pets because of their reputation as dangerous, but looking past that they’re actually pretty cool!

Sphynx Cat

Who says you can’t have a cat if you have a fur allergy? Well, you can! The Sphynx cat is a hairless cat that gets its interesting look through selective breeding. Even though it looks much different to other cats, the Sphynx has all of the same features once you take the hair away and is very much the same mannerisms-wise, too. The one main thing counting against the Sphynx is that it is quite hard to warm to, because of its ‘bald’, unique look. If you can’t have a cat with hair, though, this is your second best bet!

Fish

Probably the most popular pet after dogs and cats, fish can be kept no matter what allergy you have. They’re easy to manage, easy to feed and are entertaining on their own with no need to force them to play. A fish tank can be a relaxing place to turn your attention to after a tough day, and while you can’t really get much one-on-one play time with them, there are hundred of types to choose from. Tropical or freshwater, indoors or outdoors, you can make your fish paradise as big or as small as you like. It all depends on the money you want to spend and the time you’re going to dedicate to maintenance.

READ Ways Pets Make You Healthier

Lizard

Another pet that is very much in line with having a snake, with the exception of one very key element - they don't seem as dangerous. That’s because, for the most part, they aren’t really dangerous at all. Similar to our other amphibious friends, they’re kept in a tank, which is to be decorated to look slightly jungle-esque to match their usual habitat. Lizards are quicker than other animals, such as snakes, but I think they’re also a little more exciting to keep. If one breaks loose, there’s much less of a panic than if you lose a snake around the house. Which is a bonus in itself.

As you can tell, there are a fair few types of animals there that aren’t too dissimilar in style. They all do have one bonus though over traditional pets and that is that they don’t require as much all-day maintenance as some other animals do. No walks, no cleaning up after them (for the most part), just good old-fashioned fun and games from a safe distance.

Having a hair allergy isn’t ideal, but it doesn’t mean you need to forget getting a pet altogether. If you like the sound of a few of the above, why not take the leap. This time next month you could have your own mini-zoo right in your own house. Let the excitement begin.