Dealing with Allergies

For lots of people, pets are considered members of the family. That's why it's so frustrating when you discover that you or someone in your household is allergic to the four legged furry kid. Getting rid of a beloved pet because of allergies is not an option for many people, so here are a few helpful tips for keeping those allergens under control and your pet in your home.

1. First, understand that you are probably not allergic to your pet's fur, but to their dander and/or the proteins in their saliva. When animals clean themselves they spread the protein from their saliva over their coat, therefore the more the animal cleans itself, the more they spread potential allergens (that's why cats can be such a problem - they're so clean!). Some animals produce less dander than others; some proteins will be less irritating to you than others; it all depends on how your body reacts to the specific allergens.
2. Groom your pet on a weekly basis. Brushing and bathing can do wonders for helping to keep allergens down. This means you should give your pet a bath every week (yes, even your cat - they can get used to bathing if done on a regular basis). Constant bathing, however, can be rough on your animal's skin. Be sure to use a gentle shampoo formulated for pets (no people or baby shampoo - dogs and cats have a different pH than people) and watch for dry skin issues. Once dry, brush your pet outside where you don't have to worry about pet hair blowing around the house and under furniture.
3. Keep pets out of the bedrooms and off of furniture. Though this won't keep all allergens from spreading to these areas it will help keep them down a bit - and every little bit helps when fighting allergies.
4. Vacuum at least once a day. This will help pick up dander and protein covered hair and help you breathe easier. Certain vacuums are designed to pick up pet hair better and are more efficient at trapping allergens - they may be worth the investment if your vacuum cleaner isn't doing the job.
5. Use an allergen catching filter on your furnace, and get an air filter or two for your living and sleeping areas. Although filters won't fix an allergy problems on their own, they'll certainly help keep allergens down.

By utilizing these techniques you can help keep your allergies in check and keep your furry family member in your home!