Hey Smarty Pants, trusty narrator here, back with another episode of Smarty Q,

where I answer questions from you, the Smarty Pants.

We've got animals, sneezes, bees, banners, and water on the menu today, so let's get smarting.

Question one comes from James and Hudson in Sinton, Texas, who asks,

What makes an animal hypoallergenic?

Great question, smarty pants.

First things first, what does hypoallergenic mean?

When something is called hypoallergenic, it means it is less likely to cause allergies in people,

not allergy proof, just less likely to cause allergies in people,

not allergy-proof, just less likely to make you sneezy, itchy, or get watery eyes.

With that in mind, hypoallergenic animals like dogs or cats are good for pet owners who might be allergic to them. So what makes an animal hypoallergenic? Well, most people think they're allergic

to fur,

but really, allergies usually come from the tiny proteins found in an animal's dander,

which is dead skin flakes, saliva, or urine. Animals that are called hypoallergenic usually

shed less, produce less dander, or have hair that traps dander instead of spreading it into

the air.

That's why some dogs, cats, and other small pets may bother people less, because there's fewer

allergy proteins floating around. But remember, no animal is 100% hypoallergenic. Also, everyone's

allergies are different, so one person's hypoallergenic pet might still make another person sneeze.

And speaking of sneezes, question two comes from super smarty fan Kyle, who asks,

Why do some people cry when they yawn or sneeze?

It's a great question.

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