Is there any sort of pet a child with asthma can have?

[imaginaryfriend]

Apart from a goldfish of course.

My dd has quite severe allergic asthma which flares up really badly on contact with dogs and cats.

She's an only child though, who adores animals, and I can't help but wish there was some kind of lovable pet we could get her.

We've got a fish. Not that cuddly!

Reptilian things?

a non shedding dog - like a poodle or bedlington terrier?

depends on how much cuddling of animals your dd wants. we have rabbits and guinea pigs, dd1 is happy to stroke, feed and water them, but nothing else in case it sets her atshma off.

Some bird species can be good for people with asthma. Things like macaws and tiels are quite dusty birds, whereas other species are basically dust free.
The larger birds, so cockatiels/parrots/lovebirds and even budgies can be handtamed and make quite cuddly pets.

If the thought of a bird is an option, I suggest you check out here and maybe start a thread asking what people recommend. I am v new to birds, so its best to ask the more experienced people.

Are non-shedding dogs really ok for asthmatic kids?

misdee, we don't have a garden so I'm reluctant to have a guinea pig or rabbit as it seems unfair to keep them in a small flat.

I've wondered about a hamster ...

Do you think keeping them indoors is likely just in itself to set her asthma off?

I think so, but I wouldn't have a dog in a small flat.

labradoodle.

hamster will be fine. dd1 was fine with hamsters.

for me - m allergies asthma etc start not only from the fur but from the saliva too - a dogs lick for instance.

maybe you can adopt a dog and get sent letters

Nah, custy, dd won't go for that at all. She wants to stroke and adore something furry that's not an inanimate soft toy. Or dp.

One of these?

HM, not going to work!

Awwwww

but it's got no fur!!!

possibly a rat if you are careful see here ask.metafilter.com/51459/Sniff

or this (not real) pet

www.iwantoneofthose.com/robot-guinea-pig/index.html

adopt a pet is a good idea
or would she like some horse riding lessons?
Animla things that don't involve an animla in the house

Probably the only way to know is to have her around different animals for a while. What pets have friends got?

yes non-shedding dogs are fine for asthmatics.we have 2 bichon frise dogs with 2 asthmatic kids.they've been fine.

as someone with cat and dog allergies, I would beware of the horse riding option.... didn't realise JUST how allergic I was to them until half way round Bruges in a horse drawn carriage ride... Not nice!

We had a rabbit as kids - think that was ok. I would test things out with friends and relatives before buying something though.

I get sneezing with pet hair but seem to become immune when i actually live with them. But that seems a risky strategy...

what's a bichon frise?

lettuce?

a bichon frise is a type of lettuce?

Stick a wig on it?

Sorry, IF, I'm being flippant

bichon frise are quite cute looking pooches

HM.

lou, I guess you've got one you just happened to 'come across' somewhere, going for a song, no?