Bringing a pet into a home that has people with allergies can be tricky. And while an entity as lofty as the Center for Disease Control states that having a pet can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and even feelings of loneliness, being consistently itchy and sneezy can take some of the enjoyment away.
Allergic reactions are commonly caused by pet dander (dead skin flakes), saliva, and urine. Animal hair, contrary to common misconception, is not a significant cause of allergies, but it is the carrier for dust, mold, pollen, and other allergens. So what do you do if you still want that warm, fuzzy presence but not the wads of tissue? There are no “hypoallergenic” pets but there are pals out there for you that may at least reduce your dependence on Benadryl.
Consider a smaller pet. Less pet, less hair! You will literally have less to be allergic to when your pet is a Chihuahua, or Yorkie. And if you’re from Beverly Hills it’s much easier to carry your Yorkie in your purse than a St. Bernard.
Some dogs with curly hair, like Poodles are a great choice as they shed less and have little or no undercoat so there are less allergens around your home. They are not “allergy free” as widely promoted but a great choice nonetheless.
Shorthaired cats can be found in homes with allergic owners. This is again due to having less of a coat to accumulate allergens. They also groom themselves frequently so, as disgusting as it sounds, actually ingest many of the allergens they carry. Just be sure to keep hairball remedies close at hand!
If you have kids who want pets but you’re so allergic it just seems like a battle you can’t win, consider a small animal like a hamster, gerbil or guinea pig. They’ll live in their own cage so there will be less contact with the family living area. Just remember that shorthaired cats and small animals may not be the best combination.
If you’ve found a stray or gone to a pet rescue and just have to have the mixed-breed with the funny face there are also ways to reduce allergens and keep Mike the Mutt around.
Brush the animal regularly. Pick a non-allergy sufferer to do this. Regular grooming reduces all the stuff that gets on furniture, bedding and carpet and can help. Giving frequent baths also gets rid of dust, mold and dander.
Check with your doctor. Many pet allergy sufferers aren’t allergic to Fido, but to the pollen the animals bring into the house. This could be remedied by seasonal medication or shots.
Vacuuming regularly with a model that has a HEPA filter can help control the amount of pet dander in your home. Mopping floors and vacuuming drapes and upholstery as well as washing slipcovers or throws goes a long way to keeping you and Spot happily living under the same roof.
US Home Filter has filters of all sizes and ratings so we can help you reduce allergens, pet odors and other airborne particles to keep you and your family (including Fluffy and Rex) healthier and happy! Contact ustoday to learn more.
