Nearly half of Japan pet owners unaware that animals can suffer from pollen allergies

TOKYO — Nearly half of pet owners in a recent survey said they were unaware that cats, dogs and other animals also get pollen allergies — a “national disease” affecting many people living in Japan.

TYL Co., a company based in Tokyo's Minato Ward that operates veterinarian clinics, carried out an online survey in March and tallied answers by 428 respondents.

Asked whether they were aware that pets can become allergic to pollen, 46.3% answered “No.” As for whether their pets showed any symptoms of hay fever this year, 59.8% said they didn't and 15.0% answered they weren't sure, but a TYL representative points out that there are also many cases where owners are not aware of their pets' allergic reactions.

A total of 25.2% said their pets showed symptoms of pollen allergies. Broken down by type of symptom with multiple answers permitted, 74.1% reported “sneezing,” 63.0% said their pet had a “runny nose,” 36.1% cited “problems with their eyes,” 25.0% reported “skin problems” and 13.0% said their pet was “coughing” — all symptoms commonly experienced by humans with pollen allergies.

When asked what measures they would take if their pets showed hay fever symptoms, 60.3% of all respondents answered that they would take the animals to vets. Animal hospitals can test the pets for allergies and usually offer symptomatic treatment, such as prescribing pills and eye drops.

TYL executive and veterinarian Hiroshi Fujino recommends keeping animals away from allergens as a hay fever countermeasure for pets. He said, “Don't leave allergens (such as pollen) attached to their bodies after a walk. Wiping them down will be effective.”

(Japanese original by Yuko Shimada, Business News Department)