The Dog Bowl Pet Supply and BARF Raw Food Blog

Question: What is pet dander?

Answer: Animal dander is not hair or fur, but old skin scales which are constantly shed. Older animals produce more dander than young ones because their skin is drier. Animal dander is tiny, extremely light weight and can stay airborne for hours. Cat dander sticks to our clothing and personal belongings and is easily transported wherever we go. This is why it has been found in schools and offices, triggering allergies where an animal has never lived. Its ability to remain airborne and to permeate every area of the house makes it extremely hard to control.

The primary source of animal allergens, though, is a glycoprotein found in the glands at the root of a cat’s hair and in their salivary glands. It becomes airborne when the allergen from the glands is spread over the cat’s fur during grooming. When the saliva dries, it flakes off and is released into the air.

Any furred or feathered animal is a potential source of animal allergens. Birds, for instance, produce a feather dust which can cause reactions---the larger the bird, the more dander. The saliva and urine of, say, rabbits and guinea pigs, also contain the proteins that cause reactions.