Do you think there will ever come a time when business need to take account of the needs of those of us allergic to dogs?

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OK, so I don't want this to turn into one of the many threads where huge rows erupt about the number of dogs around. I accept that this seems to be the way of the world - for now anyway - but some recent experiences have made me question the implications.

I'm in the process of booking a UK touring holiday and have spent the last few weeks trying to book some medium range hotels in various places. Mainly countryside locations which might be part of the issue.

I am allergic to dogs and prone to fairly serious reactions, including asthma attacks if exposed for a prolonged period.

The problem is that I'm coming across so many places I like only to read that they are pet friendly. This is often accompanied by photos showing dogs running around the hotel interior, sitting on the beds and couches in rooms etc. If I were to stay in this room after a dog had been there it's highly likely I'd be quite poorly. When I've rung these hotels to ask if they have any designated pet free rooms, they have replied that no, they are 'pet friendly', as if this somehow makes them morally superior and those of us who have allergies are some sort of animal hater!

Given the legislation on dietary labelling that came in following some tragic incidents, I do wonder if we're going to end up in a situation where someone is likely to come to harm through inadvertent exposure. This is probably more likely to be a child as grown adults will be able to spot early warning signs.

I'm just interested in views on this as it's increasingly feeling like I'm being denied access to a service in a way that would not be acceptable in other situations.

There is an argument that with so many more dogs around and allowed more places that a severe allergy could meet that description now.

Certainly someone with a life threatening allergy could no longer go on public transport - I can’t remember the last time I was on a train and didn’t see at least one dog getting on. And shopping would also be problematic in my area.

Me and DH try to take our dog everywhere with us but I am surprised that hotels don't have dog free rooms.

So many people now with dogs want to take their dogs on holiday with them, eat out with them etc that businesses don't want to miss out.

In my local town all except 1 coffee shop allow dogs. The one that doesn't is almost always empty while the others are packed.

I think this is a fair thing to ask for. Many hotels, B&Bs, AirBnBs etc aren't dog friendly but if you're looking for places on hiking trails, in outdoorsy places I'd guess that they're reacting to the requests and preferences of people wanting to spend their money in a dog friendly place.

But as someone with allergies to cats and more, I get it. I see some comments from people saying it's not that serious and sure, I don't go into anaphylactic shock, but I am very wheezy.

Im with you. And im not allergic.
I just dont want to smell dog. Especially on holiday.

I dont care what any dog owner says about how clean their dog is/how often its groomed/how clean their house or car is etc you can smell dog. No thanks!

Businesses in the holiday trade are obviously following the money . Probably people who wouldn't go away because of their dogs can now stay in lovely UK locations precisely because they can bring their dogs and spend their money .
Numbers wise I do wonder if dog free places would get the same amount of customers.
Maybe because it's fairly rare to have severe reactions and sufferers are on high alert it simply isn't a priority.

Well France is very dog friendly and has been for years.

We lived in France 20 years ago and dogs were allowed just about everywhere. If we asked a hotel if they allowed dogs they would be like "of course we do".

When we came back to the UK with our dog we noticed how unfriendly the UK was to dogs. Almost no hotels allowed them and no eating places

My friend's son had a very serious incident in exactly these circumstances.

They booked a large property to share with family but didn't realise it was pet friendly. Although they knew he was allergic to dogs, the symptoms had been fairly mild as exposure wasn't prolonged and not with a breed causing such an extreme reaction.

After a few hours in the house he was rushed to hospital. This was rural Scotland, no ambulance and they had a terrifying drive on tiny roads while his breathing got steadily worse.

He was extremely lucky to make it.

So I agree fully. Some space should be pet free.

Hotels used to have Smoking and No Smoking rooms so I would think could have Pet Friendly and No Pet rooms. I'm pretty sure I have stayed in at least one (large) hotel which did.

We do sometimes take our dog on holiday. We always respect rules about keeping him off furniture and downstairs but that's how we live at home and I know many people don't. We normally can't take him into the main dining room, having to eat in the bar/conservatory etc.

I guess all you can do is keep asking hotels etc if they have guaranteed dog-free rooms and public areas and try to create a demand.

I’m with you too. Fed up with all the nicest holiday cottages being ‘dog friendly’. I don’t want to sit on a sofa that’s had dogs slobbering. And don’t get me started on Cafes, can’t go anywhere these days without dogs.

I'm not a fan of dogs but in truth given that businesses don’t have to take nut allergies seriously even though they are common and often life threatening I can’t see there being a time where they take pet allergies seriously unfortunately 😓

I love dogs but don't own one but I have noticed a few places in Cornwall are now saying "no dogs due to damage" etc.

E.g Someone had allowed their dog to poo indoors in a cafe on a carpet! So they are no longer allowing dogs.

In Padstow a few weeks back someone had allowed their dog to poo on the doorstep of a fancy restaurant! So all diners stepped in it. As it was dark outside and unlit.

It's usually a local debate due to beaches and whatnot.

Allergies are to proteins found in the dogs coat and saliva. Unless they are deep cleaning the train between trips those proteins will still be able to trigger an allergy in anyone who touches the areas the dog has been in.

There are also huge problems for those among us with allergies caused by people who walk about smothered in perfume!

That must have been a guide dog/assistance dog though as you cannot take a dog on Eurostar. So that would’ve been the same as eating in a restaurant next to a visually impaired person and their guide dog. And you were moved so don’t see the problem here.

It does seem that dogs are pretty often accepted everywhere now and it certainly wasn’t like that 5 or 10 years ago. Although in France they honestly let dogs everywhere - even the supermarket.

I am badly allergic to cats but think they are much easier to avoid generally so I can see it’s annoying. However I don’t see things changing now as obviously it increases business.

Because dogs lick their genitals and bottoms or just walk off after having been to the loo

Humans have clothes between their genitals and bottom so aren’t on the furniture. They also wash their hands after going to the loo. If a child has been out playing or touching animals they’re told to wash hands before eating - if there’s a dog on someone’s lap or a dog sat at the table then that’s not happening is it?

Agree
There would need to be a change to the definition of both
what a disability is
and
discrimination

But then so many other areas could be added into that too
I can think of one I’ve had to put up with for the past 46 years but as I have a choice to chose elsewhere I don’t limit others choice to live as they wish.

It’s just about choosing appropriately from whats available because we are all different

Agree
There would need to be a change to the definition of both
what a disability is
and
discrimination

But then so many other areas could be added into that too
I can think of one I’ve had to put up with for the past 46 years but as I have a choice to chose elsewhere I don’t limit others choice to live as they wish.

It’s just about choosing appropriately from whats available because we are all different

Taking your dog everywhere with you wasn’t common in the past. I remember neighbours used to leave their dogs at home or certainbfriendly ones that used to roam the neighbourhood and go out for walks as cats do. I quite liked those days and didn’t mind dogs then but now I dislike not having the choice of whether I am sat in close proximity to a dog whilst eating or the smell of dogs etc etc. I love cats and other animals but feel similar about those. Food places shouldn’t be a place for animals. Hotels etc should have pet free areas/rooms too as it’s no different to the stale smell of smoke. Pet aromas linger!

We have a few holiday cottages we rent out and since allowing dogs, we are always full even when we increased prices quite a bit. It wouldn’t make sense to not allow dogs.

‘They also wash their hands after going to the loo’
If only 😳

Public washrooms
In public settings, only 66% of people claim they always wash their hands, according to this article from the European Cleaning Journal.

Hospital settings
A 2025 University of Surrey study found that 43.7% of people using hospital toilets failed to wash their hands, report this article and this article from the BBC and Metro.co.uk.

Pet hair triggers asthma attacks for my children, and we've had a couple of holidays spoiled years ago before we realised what was causing them. We used to take our own bedding, but now we only book places that explicitly say 'no pet's allowed'. It does take longer to find somewhere suitable and it's not always obvious until you've read the finer details. We've used cottages.com a number of times and they have tick box for 'pets not accepted' which has been great.

I’m a dog lover but I agree with you.
Annoys me no end when I see dogs on seats in cafes, buses, trains etc. also dogs barking at school gates where there may be children nervous of them. I’d be so cross if my children were scared of going to school because someone needs to bring their dog on school run.

I know. Asda allows this (dogs in trolleys).

We use ‘Scan and Go’ so we can put our food directly into bags, but if you get a ‘quality check’ the shop assistant will often try to put the food they’ve just checked into the trolley, so you have to intercept it - especially if it’s fresh unwrapped food like a bunch of coriander.

Asda doesn't allow dogs except for assistance dogs

You must live somehow with a manager who isn’t bothered but a complaint to head office will sort that out as it’s not their policy

In all honesty, why would you just not go where dogs are allowed to go?
Or are you annoyed that you've found somewhere that you like the look of and the price and feel fed up because they allow dogs? The same way people with dogs would feel fed up with not being able to go? To be honest, I would be amazed if there are not more places to book that don't allow dogs than do because people don't wish for the big clean up and possible damage.

There's no discrimination, this is just personal choice. Just like it used to be back in the day to chose a smoking or no smoking room.

And this is after covid, could you imagine how bad it was before?!!

I remember coming back on the motorway from dads funeral, day before lockdown and stopping for a wee. My brother remarked there was a queue in the gents to wash their hands - something in his 50+ years he had never seen.