After cats and dogs, sportsmen should be aware that horses are the next most common cause of animal allergies. But in the home, other family favorites such as birds, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, and rabbits may also be a source of perennial allergies. In each of these cases, dander and especially substances in the urine and saliva are once again believed to be more important allergens than either fur or feathers. In most cases allergies to feathers are really allergies to the mites that live within them and not to the feathers themselves.

Unfortunately, even when a pet owner is willing to trade in his favorite furry companion for the sake of his allergies (which few are usually willing to do), the solution may not lie in simply substituting one kind of pet for another because allergy-prone people are usually allergic to more than one kind of pet. For example, it is estimated that somewhere between 20 percent and 40 percent of allergic people possess allergies to both dogs and cats. It is also believed that after prolonged exposure, between 40 percent and 60 percent of these same individuals would also develop allergies to guinea pigs and hamsters. If you are contemplating any exchanges, hairless creatures would be your best bet. In general, tropical fish, turtles, hermit crabs, and snakes do not provoke allergies and therefore make safe alternatives for allergy sufferers.