Guest Post: How to Live With Pet Allergies

Ken Stanfield is a passionate blogger who spends his time researching and writing about respiratory health, healthcare and humanitarianism. He has also been a dog lover for most of his life. He writes currently for the nebulizer systems supplier, JustNebulizers.com.

Adapting to Animals: How to Live With Pet Allergies

For most pet owners with allergies, the benefits of living with animal companions outweigh the negative impacts of their allergies. After all, pets are often just as close and valuable to people as their human family members are. Whether you’re recently diagnosed with pet allergies or have been fighting through them for many years, this article should give you some helpful advice on how to reduce the allergens in your home and create an even better relationship with your furry friend. 

The Truth

Don’t believe the marketing hype—allergen-free dogs and cats simply don’t exist. Neutered cats and short haired or hairless dogs might emit less allergens than other animals, but the allergens will still be present to some degree. In fact, one poodle might cause a greater allergic reaction in a prospective owner than another poodle from the exact same litter. It’s important to spend a little bit of time with a few prospective pets before choosing if it’s at all possible.

Eliminating Allergens

Now that we’ve established that all pets produce allergens and that there’s no avoiding them entirely, the only possible option becomes clear: you’ll have to work around allergens and reduce them when you can. If you’re dedicated to your pet, think about swapping carpets out with hardwood floors or linoleum. Also, reduce the amount of upholstered furniture in your home. Doing this will help keep your pet’s hair from getting collected. In addition to these steps, make sure that your pets are bathed and groomed regularly. If possible, have someone do this for you so that any of the fur pulled loose doesn’t irritate your allergies. Healthy pets emit less dander, so make sure that your animals are on a healthy diet and have their own designated sleeping areas as well. Whenever possible, wash your hands thoroughly after petting your animals. If you’re still having problems, you might invest in a HEPA air filter for your home.

Additional Tactics

You might have already looked into it, but it’s still worth mentioning: make sure your pet is the actual reason for your allergies. Eliminating other allergens in your home such as dust, mold and certain foods will go a long way toward your respiratory health as well. As allergens build up, your body has a harder time of fighting them individually. If it’s only dealing with a little pet dander, your life should be considerably easier.  You might also consider not allowing your pets into your bedroom to create an allergy-proof sleeping environment for yourself. Clean your home as often as possible and avoid strong scented products or any cleaning solution that contains perfume. Make sure your central heating and air units are well maintained by a professional.

There are, of course, other factors to consider when simultaneously living with a pet and living with allergies. Making small changes in the way you care for your pet and maintain your home should go a long way toward making your life easier. There’s absolutely no need to give up your furry friend or give up hope. Just explore these suggested avenues to greatly reduce the amount of pet allergens in your home.