Q: I'm allergic to fur, but I want to have a pet. What kind of pets do well as outside pets? 

A: Our extensive experience with all types of pets has led us to one conclusion - there is no domestic pet with fur that does 'well' as an outside-only pet. Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs... they all live longer, healthier, happier lives spending at least their sleeping time or a few hours a day indoors with their human family. Dogs are much less like to develop behavior problems common in outside dogs - such as barking, digging, escaping and chewing.

For people with allergies, there are many more humane ways to reduce pet allergens in your house other than relegating your pets to the dangers and relative isolation of outdoor life. These include:

• limiting pets access in the home to rooms with hard surfaced floors
• frequent (once a week) bathing of pets to reduce dander
• use of an allergen-reducing topical product such as Allerpet
• pets kept primarily indoors will actually carry less allergens and dust on them that those kept outdoors

Some people find that they have less allergies to certain pets - one cat could make you sneeze up a storm, while another may not effect you at all. Before you acquire a new pet, try to spend as much time as possible interacting closely with them to see if you have a reaction.

"Did you know that the average lifespan of an indoor cat is more than 10 years, while felines who reside outside survive for an average of only 2 years?" - ASPCA http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=animed_cats_indooroutdoor

"The HSUS strongly recommends that all pets be kept indoors with the family. We do not discourage pet owners from letting their dogs spend time outside, as long as the animals are supervised and under control at all times. But leaving a dog outside for long periods, especially if he or she is chained or otherwise tethered, can be physically, emotionally, and behaviorally detrimental. Dogs need companionship, care, exercise, and attention. "
- Humane Society of the United States
http://www.hsus.org/ace/11874

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Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA
361 S. Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105