Q. One of my sons has asthma, the other hay fever. Are there any pets we could keep without affecting them?

CAROL SMILLIE

TV presenter Carol Smillie lives in Glasgow with her husband and three children, Christie (13), Robbie (10) and Jodie (8). They bought Jess, a black labrador, last November. Carol supports the University of Glasgow's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and its efforts to raise funds for a Small Animal Hospital.

“My eldest daughter, Christie, developed an allergy to horses a short while after she started riding lessons three years ago. She loved riding but the allergy grew worse, culminating in a pony party, after which she looked liked she'd done ten rounds with Barry McGuigan. Her whole head and neck was swollen and her face and arms were covered in a red lumpy rash. Yet Christie refused to give up riding.

“Whatever pet you choose, your children will form strong attachments to it. So you need to be as sure as possible that your children's allergies will not be triggered by exposure to it because once they have a new puppy, kitten or tortoise, they are unlikely to find letting it go easy, even if they are sniffling their way round the living room, barely able to see.

“It is worth testing your children with various pets by looking after other people's when they go on holiday. But, in the meantime, why not buy them a virtual pet? Nintendogs, £29.99, for the Nintendo DS, £99.99 (amazon.co.uk), is a fun game that teaches children how to look after an animal. All mine have them.”

EMMA MAGNUS

Emma has a degree in zoology and a masters degree in applied animal behaviour and animal welfare. She has worked with veterinary practices in East Anglia for 15 years and runs puppy parties to teach the basics of good behaviour. She is the author of How to Have a Relaxed Rabbit (Pet Behaviour Centre, £3.50).

“Half the people with asthma are sensitive to pet allergens - proteins within an animal's fur, skin, urine or saliva - and though hay fever is not directly caused by pets, it is a reaction to pollen and is relevant because dog walks at certain times of the year may trigger a reaction. As can hay, part of the diet for many small animals.

“The majority of children want a dog, a cat or something equally as fluffy. But, unfortunately, furry animals shed hair, which spreads allergens and can cause severe allergic reactions. Much depends on how allergic your child is, if at all.

“Many pets are rehomed because of pet-related asthma, so if you are settled on a dog, cat or other fluffy creature, I'd suggest you take them on a test run before you buy. One way to do this is to take the child to the breeder's home for an hour or two to see if there is a reaction.

“Using special shampoos and sprays that may help to reduce the impact of the allergens can sometimes control milder reactions. The National Asthma Campaign suggests that bathing cats and dogs once a week can help. But it is not worth risking your child's health in the hope that washing the animal will curb a reaction.

“Would you consider fish? They are relatively easy to keep but still require a daily feed and regular tank cleaning. Stick insects and African land snails make good talking points. Reptiles and snakes can be kept by some children who have allergies, but there is increasing evidence to suggest a link between these animals and a risk of infecting people with salmonella. But before you introduce any animal into a family with allergies, see your GP to discuss the medical repercussions.”

What you need

Check It

Visit asthma.org.uk , the website of Asthma UK, and do a search for pets.

Buy It

Allergymatters Anti-Allergen spray, £12.95; use on upholstery and carpets to minimise allergens allergymatters.com Read It

Hayfever: The Complete Guide, Jonathan Brostoff and Linda Gamlin (Bloomsbury, £4.99)

NEXT WEEK

We live in a flat with no garden but we feel that our life is not complete without a pet. We would walk a dog twice a day, but is it unfair to keep one in this environment?