Do you love cuddling with your fluffy cats and playful dogs? 🐱🐶 You’re not alone! More and more families in the Chinese mainland and around the world are welcoming pets into their homes.
In fact, the pet population in China’s cities reached 120 million in 2024—a 2.1% increase from 2023, according to the 2025 China Pet Industry White Paper.
But while our furry friends bring us joy, some people are finding that they also bring… sneezes! 🤧 Doctors have noticed that more people are becoming allergic to pets, especially cats and dogs.
A recent survey from Beijing Shijitan Hospital’s Allergy Center showed that 12.5% of patients were allergic to cat dander (that’s tiny flakes of dead skin), up from previous years, said Dr. Wang Xueyan, the director of the center.
So, what’s causing these allergies? Well, proteins found in an animal’s dander, saliva, or urine can trigger allergic reactions. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, pet allergies affect 10 to 20% of people worldwide!
But don’t worry! If you’re allergic but still love pets, there are ways to manage. Dr. Wang suggests keeping pets in certain areas of your home to reduce exposure to allergens. For people with mild symptoms, they might still be able to keep their pets with some precautions.
However, it’s important to take allergies seriously. If left untreated, they can become worse over time and may lead to asthma or other serious health problems, warns Dr. Wang.
Did you know that July 8 is World Allergy Day? 🌍 This special day was started to help people learn about allergies and how to prevent them.
As more families open their homes to pets, it’s important to be aware of allergies and how to manage them. That way, we can all enjoy the love of our furry friends without the sneezes! 🥰
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
