Can You Become Allergic to Your Own Dog? (Losing Pet Tolerance Explained)

You grew up with pets. They slept on your bed. You were fine. Then you leave for college, come home for the holidays… and suddenly your own dog makes you break out in hives. What happened?In this episode, Drew and his allergist dad, Dr. Z, unpack a listener’s question about “losing immunity” to pets—and whether that tolerance can come back. They explain how living with an animal can act like “natural allergy drops,” why time away can make symptoms feel way worse, and how stress, sleep, and college life can throw your immune system out of alignment.You’ll learn the difference between true “immunity” and changing reactivity, why your body has an allergy threshold, and what to do if going home now feels like walking into a sneeze factory. From pre-gaming visits with meds to long-term sublingual immunotherapy, this episode offers practical ways to stay connected to your family and their pets—without suffering.If you’ve ever wondered why your childhood dog suddenly feels like a biological weapon, this one’s for you.Do you have questions? Email us at [email protected]