8 Tips to Reduce Pet Allergy Symptoms

Today's Tips on Pets 

 

8 Tips to Reduce Pet Allergy Symptoms

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1. Choose a turtle, a lizard or fish instead of a furry pet.

Fewer people are allergic to fish, turtles and lizards than to cats, dogs and other pets with hair. Despite popular belief, animal hair doesn’t provoke allergy symptoms. Rather, proteins in pet skin (dander), saliva and urine are to blame. 

2. Don’t rely on “hypoallergenic” claims.

There’s no such thing as an 100% hypoallergenic dog, so don’t count on visiting the pet store and bringing one home. Even if you keep your pet in the yard, you may experience symptoms upon contact. Dander also sticks to clothing. That said, some individuals may react less to one dog breed than another. 

3. Keep your pet out of the bedroom.

If you already have a Kitty or Fido at home, keep your pet away from the bedroom. It’s where you spend 8 hours a day, so making it a pet-free zone will reduce your exposure to allergens. 

4. Keep your pet off the furniture.

If you allow your pet to come indoors or ride in the car, train it to stay off the seats or have it ride in a carrier. Alternately, you can cover upholstered seating with towels and sheets to trap animal dander. Wash these coverings regularly. 

5. Have someone brush and bathe your pet.

Daily brushing and a weekly bath will help remove excess dander. Have someone besides the allergic person handle those tasks. Urine is the source of allergens from rabbits, hamsters, mice and guinea pigs – so ask a non-allergic family member to clean the animal's cage.

6. Clean carpeting frequently.

Carpets trap dander, so even when a pet is no longer in the room, you may start sneezing. If you need carpeting, choose carpets with low pile and steam clean them often. Also use a vacuum with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter and wear a dust mask when vacuuming. Your best bet: Remove carpets altogether, and install wood, tile or linoleum flooring.

7. Use a HEPA air cleaner.

Pet dander can float in the air, so running a HEPA air cleaner attached to central heating and cooling may help. Run the filter for at least 4 hours a day. 

8. See your allergist.

Despite these measures, some people with animal allergies will still experience troublesome symptoms. Visit the allergist to learn about helpful treatments.