Pet Allergy Blood Test UK | 8 Animal Allergens

Allergy Pet and Animal Dander Panel

UK Partnered Clinics

£239.00

Price is for one test. No subscription.

The Chxhealth Allergy Pet and Animal Dander Panel is a blood test for suspected immediate (Type I) animal allergy. It measures IgE antibodies to 8 animal allergens: cat, dog dander, dog epithelium, cow, horse, guinea pig, hamster and rabbit, plus your Total IgE.

It suits people whose symptoms seem linked to pets, farm animals or horses, at home, at work or when visiting others. It has the same pet and animal allergens as the Complete Panel, but it does not include house dust mites, which are on the First-Line, Enhanced and Complete panels.

Your sample is a venous blood draw at our Lanchester clinic in County Durham or one of 50+ UK partner clinics, analysed by Randox Laboratories, accredited by UKAS to ISO 15189. Results take up to 5 working days. Your report shows sensitisation for a clinician to read alongside your symptoms; Chxhealth does not diagnose, treat or prescribe.

Sample requirements

×22 blood tubes

Collected at either our Chxhealth clinic in Lanchester (book your appointment during checkout) or at one of our 50+ UK partnered clinics (you'll receive a separate booking email after checkout). Phlebotomy fee included in the price.

ISO accredited

Independent quality standard

Plain-English reports

Easy to understand

GDPR-secure

IgE antibodies to rabbit skin (epithelium).

Why it matters

Rabbits are popular house pets, and their allergen collects in fur and bedding.

Total IgE

The total amount of IgE antibody in your blood.

Why it matters

Gives context for the allergen-specific results; raised levels are common in atopy.

Biomarker FAQs

Questions about these biomarkers.

What does total IgE add to a pet allergy test?

Total IgE is the overall amount of IgE antibody in your blood. It is not specific to any animal, but it helps a clinician interpret the 8 animal results. A very high total IgE can come with low-level positives that matter less, while a normal total IgE does not rule out a specific pet allergy.

More about Total IgE

Why do cats cause so many allergy symptoms?

The main cat allergen is made in cats' skin and saliva and spreads onto fur and dander. It is very light, stays in the air for a long time and sticks to furniture and clothing, so it is found even in homes and workplaces without cats. This marker measures IgE to cat epithelium and dander.

More about Cat epithelium and dander

Are some dog breeds hypoallergenic?

No dog breed is completely allergen-free. Dogs of all breeds produce allergens in their skin, saliva and dander, and studies have not shown reliably lower allergen levels in homes with so-called hypoallergenic breeds. Individual dogs vary. This marker measures IgE to dog dander, reported separately from dog epithelium.

More about Dog dander

Why are there two dog results?

Dog dander and dog epithelium are two different extracts, and each contains its own mix of dog proteins. Some people respond more strongly to one than the other, so testing both makes it less likely a dog sensitisation is missed. A clinician reads the two results together with your symptoms around dogs.

More about Dog epithelium

Who needs a cow dander test?

Cow dander is mainly relevant to people who live or work on farms, in dairies or with cattle, and to people who handle cattle hides. Cow dander allergy is a recognised cause of work-related nasal and chest symptoms in farming. This marker measures IgE to cow dander and is separate from cow's milk allergy.

More about Cow dander

Can I react to horses without touching them?

Yes. Horse allergen is carried on clothing, riding gear, saddles and in stables, so people can be exposed without direct contact, for example when someone comes home from riding. It can cause sneezing, itchy eyes, hives or wheeze. This marker measures IgE to horse dander.

More about Horse dander

Can a guinea pig cause allergy symptoms?

Yes. Guinea pigs produce allergens in their skin, fur, saliva and urine, which collect in bedding and hay. Symptoms can appear when handling the animal or cleaning out its hutch. This marker measures IgE to guinea pig epithelium. Note that hay can also carry grass pollen, which this panel does not test.

More about Guinea pig epithelium

Why include hamster?

Hamsters are small pets that often live indoors, sometimes in bedrooms, so exposure can be close and regular. Like other small animals, they produce allergens in their skin, fur and urine. This marker measures IgE to hamster epithelium, which is useful if symptoms seem to follow handling the pet or its cage.

More about Hamster epithelium

Can you be allergic to rabbits?

Yes. Rabbits are popular house pets and produce allergens in their fur, skin, saliva and urine. Allergen builds up in bedding and indoor living areas, and symptoms often appear when grooming or cleaning out. This marker measures IgE to rabbit epithelium, reported separately from the other small pets.

More about Rabbit epithelium

Is this panel right for me?

Who this panel is built for.

Who this is for

Adults who sneeze, wheeze or get itchy eyes around cats, dogs, horses or small pets.
People who work with animals, such as on farms, in stables or in pet care.
Anyone who cannot easily stop antihistamines for skin-prick testing.

Consider speaking to a clinician first

Anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Speak to your GP, who can refer you to an NHS allergy clinic.
People whose main concern is dust, which this panel does not test. Dust mites are on the First-Line, Enhanced and Complete panels.
People with symptoms around pets not listed here, such as birds or reptiles. They are not on this panel.
Anyone under 18. Chxhealth tests are for adults.

This panel reports biomarker data. It does not diagnose any condition. Your results should be reviewed alongside the advice of your GP or another qualified healthcare professional.

How it works

Order to results in four simple steps.

1

Order online

Choose your test, complete your details and book your appointment (either through an email sent after an order with a UK partnered clinic or on our site for our own clinic).
2

Collect your sample

Visit our Chxhealth Clinic in County Durham or head to one of our 50+ partnered clinics all over the UK.
3

Lab analysis

ISO accredited process through our lab partners. Your sample is analysed using independently certified methods and is double checked for accuracy.
4

Get your report

Easy-to-read results sent from us to your inbox.

Booking and results

Before and after your test.

How do I book my appointment?

After you order, you will receive an email with a link to book your appointment. You can choose the Chxhealth clinic in Lanchester, County Durham, or one of our 50+ UK partner and pop-up clinics. View all clinic locations.

Do I need to pay for the phlebotomist?

No. The phlebotomy fee is included in the price. There are no hidden costs at the appointment.

Do I need to fast before my blood test?

It isn’t required, but for tests that include glucose, lipids (cholesterol) or insulin, fasting is recommended for the best results. If you fast, drink water only. If you have diabetes or another medical condition, check with your GP before fasting. If you’d rather not fast, that’s fine: just let us know at your appointment.

Should I keep taking my medication before the test?

Yes, keep taking your medication as normal. Some medicines can affect particular markers; for example, blood thinners such as aspirin or warfarin can affect clotting tests. If you are unsure, contact us before booking.

Which laboratory analyses my sample?

Samples are analysed by Randox Laboratories, a UK clinical laboratory accredited by UKAS to ISO 15189.

How will I receive my results?

You will receive a plain-English PDF report by email. It shows each biomarker, your result, the reference range the laboratory uses and a short explanation of what each marker measures.

Can I share my results with my GP?

Yes. The PDF report is designed to be shared. You can email or print it for your GP or another healthcare professional.

Can this test diagnose a condition?

No. Chxhealth is a biomarker and genetic data provider; we do not diagnose, treat or prescribe. Your report shows where your results sit against the reference range, and anything outside the typical range is flagged so you can follow it up with a healthcare professional.

How is my health data handled?

Chxhealth complies with UK GDPR. Your personal data and results are stored in encrypted, UK-based systems and are never shared with third parties without your explicit consent. You can ask for your data to be exported or deleted at any time.

Can I cancel or get a refund?

If you cancel before your sample has been taken, we offer a full refund. Once your sample has been taken and sent to the laboratory, a refund is not possible because the lab work has been done. See our refund policy for full terms.

About this test

Questions about this test.

What does the Allergy Pet and Animal Dander Panel test for?

It measures IgE to 8 animal allergens: cat epithelium and dander, dog dander, dog epithelium, cow dander, horse dander, guinea pig epithelium, hamster epithelium and rabbit epithelium. Total IgE is also measured to put the results in context. Each is reported separately, so you can see which animals you are sensitised to.

How does the Pet and Animal Dander Panel compare with the other allergy panels?

It is the focused animal option. The First-Line Panel includes cat and dog epithelium, and the Enhanced Panel adds dog dander. Neither includes horse, cow or small pets. The Complete Panel has all 8 of these animal allergens plus dust mites, foods, pollens and moulds. This panel does not include house dust mites.

Do I need to stop antihistamines before the Pet and Animal Dander Panel?

No. Antihistamines affect skin-prick testing because they dampen the skin's reaction, but they do not interfere with an IgE blood test in the same way. That is one reason a blood test can suit people who cannot easily stop their antihistamines. Keep taking any medicine you have been prescribed unless the clinician who prescribed it tells you otherwise.

Is the Pet and Animal Dander Panel better than a skin-prick test?

Neither is better in every case. A skin-prick test is done in clinic and read within minutes. A blood test measures IgE in a serum sample instead, so it can suit people who cannot stop antihistamines, have widespread eczema or are at higher risk of a severe reaction to testing. Both show sensitisation and both need reading alongside your symptoms.

What does a positive result on the Pet and Animal Dander Panel mean?

A positive result means your immune system has made IgE antibodies to that allergen. This is called sensitisation, and it is not the same as a confirmed allergy: some people have IgE to cat or dog yet live comfortably with one. A negative result makes an IgE allergy less likely but does not completely rule one out. A clinician should interpret your results alongside your symptoms and history.

Can the Pet and Animal Dander Panel help before I get a pet?

It can show whether you are already sensitised to that animal, which is useful information to discuss with a clinician. It cannot predict exactly how you will feel living with a particular pet, and a negative result does not completely rule out an allergy. Spending time around the animal and your symptom history also matter.

How long do Pet and Animal Dander Panel results take?

Results take up to 5 working days. Your sample is a venous blood draw (2 serum tubes), taken at the Chxhealth clinic in Lanchester, County Durham, or at one of our 50+ UK partner clinics. There is no at-home kit for this test. Your report shows your IgE result for each allergen on the panel and your Total IgE.

What happens after I get my Pet and Animal Dander Panel results?

Share your report with your GP or another clinician, who can read it alongside your symptoms. They may suggest further assessment or a referral to an NHS allergy clinic. Chxhealth does not diagnose, treat or prescribe. Please do not rehome a pet or make big changes at home based on a result alone, without clinical advice.

Is this a subscription?

No. The price covers one test. If you would like to test again later, you simply book a new one.