Living with Dogs When You Have Allergies
Let’s face it…living with allergies can be a real pain, especially when the allergies are associated with our four-legged friends! Often, pet owners are allergic to their own pets, but they can’t help but to love them anyway. This article will go into further detail about pet allergies and some important tips on how to keep them minimized at home.
The best way to confirm that you are allergic to your pet is to have allergy testing competed at a local allergy doctor’s office. Tests will show exactly what you are allergic to. Common allergies include pet dander, pollens, molds, and dust. Allergic symptoms can vary from one person to the next. For example, a person who is allergic to animals may react less to dogs with soft, constantly growing hair, or a different breed all together. Keep in mind that even hairless breeds may cause severe allergic reactions!
Unfortunately, if you or one of your family members has life-threatening symptoms when it comes to pet allergies, it would be best to rehome the pet. However, if the symptoms are mild, there are some ways to reduce allergens indoors so you and your pet can live together more comfortably. Please see our list of suggestions below.
- Bathe your Pet on a Weekly Basis. This will help lessen the number of dead skin cells and dander in their fur. The only thing is that we recommend that you avoid washing your dog too much as it will damage and dry their skin out. Find a good dog shampoo that is suitable for your pup.
- Use HEPA Air Cleaners. These types of filters can clean and purify the air from any dander or dust.
- Know Your Allergies! It is important to know exactly what you are allergic to. Focus on tackling everything that you are allergic to, and not just the pet dander itself.
- “Allergy-Free Zone”. Designate one bedroom in the house where your dog is not allowed to enter. This will ensure that the room is free of pet dander and hair which will lessen the allergic reactions.
Do not let pet allergies get the best of you. As you can see, there are several things that you can do to lessen the allergy symptoms. Good house cleaning, treatments, and regular bathing will make a world of a difference and allow you to live a happy life with your best friend!
