Val, how many gliders were included in the study? Were there vet confirmations on these allergies? Because I have so many allergies myself yet I've not seen this in any of the gliders, I find it really interesting (honestly).
I know I've had dogs with various allergies and know that animals, like humans can suffer from allergic reactions to things. (lactose intolerance is a form of allergy).
The allergies study included over 250 HOMES/owners reporting. I'm sorry, but I'm not sure how many gliders that represents.
In most cases, we WERE able to get confirmation of the allergic reactions - most were to dairy or medications, but there was that small percentage that recorded allergies to fabric softener or laundry detergent.
One of those gliders (Toast) lives in my home. He has such a terrible reaction to any fabric softener or fragrance of any kind that I have to have a special system to alert me to his laundry. (All things in his cage are frog themed). In only moments with contact with these things, his eyes swell shut, his nose starts running and he begins panting and wheezing.
To be honest, I didn't really believe his previous mom when he was surrendered. Until that time, I had not seen this either. I thought maybe she was exaggerating. I learned very quickly that she was not. I cannot even carry him in my bra, pocket or hoodie without him having this reaction - and I have to be sure that the sheet or blanket I use on the bottom of my tent has no fabric softener on it. So, yes, I do know for a fact that it can happen.