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For many, nothing beats the feeling of having your pet come snuggle up on your lap after a long day at work as you finally get some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Unfortunately, for those of us that are allergic to pet dander, the love and affection of our pets can sometimes be more trouble than it’s worth. If you do have allergies though, all hope is not lost. Depending on your circumstances, there are things you can do to help reduce your symptoms so you can still share that close bond with your pet, even with allergies.

Find Out What You’re Allergic To

Many pet owners who have allergies sometimes assume too quickly that they are allergic to their furry friends. In many cases though, the owner may be allergic to something else entirely. This is why it is important to have an allergy test done before jumping to any conclusions.

According to expert allergist Kathryn Edwards, the most common allergy test for determining common allergens such as pet dander and pollen is a ‘prick’ test. With this test, a series of allergens are introduced under the skin in various locations on the arm. If there is a reaction within 15-20 minutes, it means there is an allergy to those particular allergens. Once you find out what you are allergic to, you can better plan how to reduce your allergies in regards to your pet. For example, if you are allergic to pollen or other outdoor allergens and not actually allergic to your pet, consider walking your dog in areas that don’t have a lot of flowers or trees, or let your dog out in your backyard as opposed to walking them in the park. According to the Humane Society, sometimes allergic responses may vary wildly between breeds of cats and dogs, so if you are still looking to get a pet, try to find a breed that you have a minimal reaction to.

So, You’re Allergic to Your Pet

This isn’t the end of your relationship. There are still things you can do to limit and reduce your reactions, as long as your reaction isn’t life-threatening. About twice as many people report allergies to cats as those who have allergies to dogs. While the most effective solution for those with severe allergies removes the pet from the home, they also recommend a few solutions for those with manageable allergies or mild asthma if you are looking to keep your pet.

How to Combat Pet Allergies

There are a variety of ways to help combat pet allergies in the home. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, pet allergens primarily come from saliva and other internal sources like sweat and urine. This means that even hairless breeds can produce some levels of allergens, though the lack of fur helps reduce the spread of the allergens to other areas of the home like carpets and furnishings. Some ways to help prevent the spread of allergens and create a more allergy-free environment are:

• Purchase a HEPA Air Filter:

Purchasing a HEPA air purifier or filter can help reduce lingering allergens in the air, especially in the summer months when your pet begins to shed. You’ll ideally want to place the filter in your bedroom or in rooms you spend the most time to help reduce your exposure as much as possible.

• Create an Allergy-Free Zone:

If you have pet allergies, it is important to create an allergy-free area you can retreat to give you system a break. The best place for this would be the bedroom since being exposed to allergens late at night can affect your sleep, making it hard to get comfortable. Make sure your bedding uses impermeable sheets, pillow covers, and a hypoallergenic mattress to reduce any stray airborne dander or allergens that may find their way into your room, and make this room a no-pet zone, burying your pet from entering.

• Clean and Vacuum Regularly:

You’ll want to clean and vacuum about once per week as a pet owner, especially with allergies. If you have someone else who is not allergic who can vacuum while you are not home, this would be ideal as vacuuming can temporarily stir up dander and other allergens that have settled into the carpet and other fabrics like upholstery. If you are going to be the one cleaning, get a dust mask and even a pair of safety goggles to help prevent allergies from getting near your eyes to cut down on the potential risk for a reaction.

• Bathe Your Pet Regularly:

While animals generally clean themselves using their tongue, this can spread allergens from their saliva to their fur, which then spreads the allergens around the house. Bathing your pet regularly can help not only keep your pet clean but removes these saliva-based allergens from their fur reducing the spread of allergens around your home. While bathing a dog doesn’t prove too much trouble, any cat owner can tell you it’ll be tough to convince your cat to let you wash them without putting up a fight. For bathing your cat, you may want to consult your local vet on the best methods, or simply brush them with a wet washcloth to start with. This should help remove some of the dander without freaking them out too badly.

• Keep Pets Off the Furniture:

Since pet dander and other allergens are easily picked up by carpeting and upholstery, keeping your pet off the furniture can help prevent the spread of allergens. If you can’t seem to keep your pet off of specific pieces of furniture, consider getting plastic couch covers to keep your furniture safe, leaving a towel or blanket on top of the cover for your pet so they don’t feel like they’ve lost their favorite spot.

• Wash Your Hands or Change After Playtime:

After playing with your pet, odds are your clothes will have dander and allergens stuck to it, along with loads of cat hair if you’re a cat owner. Whenever you play with your pet, you’ll want to wash your hands at a bare minimum, or even change your clothes and shower if absolutely necessary. This will get the allergens off of your skin, as well as prevent continued exposure to allergens stuck to your clothing.

Courtney P.

I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!

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