Dealing with Pet Allergies: Tips for Pet Owners

There’s nothing quite like having pets you can come home to every day, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for every pet parent. Allergies can be a big concern when you have pets, especially if you plan on starting a family soon. Having pets around can be difficult if you, your spouse, or one of your children is allergic to cats or dogs.

The good news is that you can live with pets without being miserable, even with allergies. You can do many things to keep pet hair and dander at bay, which can help people in your household keep their allergies in check. If you have pet allergies, check out some of these pet allergy tips from Rolling Plains Veterinary Corporation.

Invest in a Quality Air Filter

Does your home have central heating and cooling? If you have a whole-house HVAC system, an air filter plays a crucial role in removing dust, hair, and other contaminants from the air. The problem is that many homeowners use low-quality filters and don’t change them often enough.

If you or someone in your family has pet allergies, consider investing in a HEPA filter. These air filters trap even smaller particles, minimizing the amount of pet hair and dander in the air. You can also invest in an air filter with a high MERV rating if you can’t find a HEPA filter in your area. You should change your air filter at least every 90 days.

Even if you don’t have an HVAC system, you can invest in an air purifier with a HEPA filter. Filtering dust, pet hair, and dander out of your home can make a big difference for people with allergies and respiratory issues.

Create Pet-Free Zones

Left to their own devices, dogs and cats will roam around the house and spend time in several rooms throughout the day. If someone in your household has pet allergies, you should create pet-free zones where pets aren’t allowed to go. Declaring your bedroom a pet-free zone is an excellent place to start, but you can also keep your pets off the couch and away from other areas where you spend a lot of time. It can be hard to set these boundaries initially, but your pets will eventually learn where they can and can’t go.

Keep Your Home Clean

Keeping your home clean is one of the best ways to minimize pet allergies. A lot of the allergy symptoms people experience are a result of direct contact with surfaces that have been covered in pet hair and dander. If your pets spend a lot of time on the furniture, you need to clean that furniture regularly. If your dog or cat has a bed, wash it as often as possible. Little habits like this can make a big difference for people with allergies.

If you really want to go the extra mile to deal with pet allergies, you can replace the carpet with laminate or wood flooring. Carpets tend to trap a lot of pet hair and dander, which makes things a lot worse for people who suffer from pet allergies.

Wash Your Pets and Hands

We know how tough it can be to give your dog or cat a bath, but it’s not something you can skip when dealing with pet allergies. Bathing your pets helps remove any loose hair and dander, preventing your pets from shedding on furniture or while you’re petting them. Ideally, you should try to bathe your pets about once a month.

Bathing your pets isn’t always enough to combat pet allergies, so ensure you wash your hands frequently. We know how much you love cuddling your pets and giving them scratches, and you can do that even if you have allergies. After you’re done cuddling and petting your dog or cat, wash your hands so you’re not breathing in hair and dander.

Brush Your Pets

Keeping hair and dander out of the air does wonders for people with pet allergies. If you have a dog or cat — especially one with longer hair — make sure you’re brushing them regularly to get rid of excess hair. Cats and dogs enjoy being brushed, so it’s a nice way to relax and spend time with your pets while fighting pet allergies. You should brush your pets every few days to keep their coats in good shape.

Try Antihistamines

If you or someone in your family has trouble with allergies, you can always try over-the-counter allergy medication even after following all of these tips. These OTC medications are called antihistamines, and they work by blocking the effects of histamines that cause allergy symptoms. You can buy antihistamines at most pharmacies and supermarkets; you don’t need to get a prescription first.

Depending on the severity of your allergies, your doctor may prescribe prescription medication. If you’ve tried over-the-counter medication and nothing seems to work, schedule an appointment with your doctor to get help dealing with pet allergies.

Put a Stop to Pet Allergies

Living with pets can be difficult when you have allergies, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer from your symptoms. From keeping your house clean to bathing and brushing your pets regularly, many ways exist to reduce pet allergy symptoms. You can even try medication to get extra relief from pet allergies. If you’re having trouble dealing with a cat or dog you’re allergic to, contact us for more pet allergy tips.

Categorised in: Cat Care, Dog Care, Pet Owners

This post was written by Dr. Marc Phillipot