Pet Allergies
Avoidance Tips
My family is living proof that you don't have to get rid of your pets if you have pet allergies. Of course, not having a pet that you are allergic to is the best situation.
In my case, I am allergic to cats. I know better than to bring home a cat for a pet even though I love cats.
But what do you do when you've had your pet for a long time and then someone in the family becomes allergic to it? The answer is different for everyone.
Getting rid of your pet is very easy advice to give. I wonder how many people would take this advice if forced to make that choice themselves. It is very difficult to give up a pet that is part of the family. Pet allergy sometimes makes us think about these decisions because pet allergies do not necessarily begin right away. They can show up long after we have had our pet.
Our dogs and cats don’t judge us, have expectations of us, nor criticize us. They love us unconditionally. They show us loyalty and affection. They adjust to our schedule, they trust us, they are kind to us, and they give us a feeling of self worth. They give us permission to be ourselves. Cats and dogs give us a feeling of security by alerting us to an intruder. They make us feel important and they can calm us down and reduce our stress and anxiety. Research is showing that pets can improve our health in many different ways. They can teach young ones responsibility. The list goes on…
In some cases, the choice to give up the pet will have to be made. There may be no other way. However, looking at the benefits of pet ownership, that decision should not be the first and quickest decision that is made.
All allergies are not curable at this time. It is a fact of life. With education, planning, and determination, allergies can be managed. In the case of pet allergies, parental leadership is important. It requires open discussion, planning and sometimes assignments delegated. When a family member has cat allergies or dog allergies, teamwork is required.
Limit Access
There must be some kind of containment of the pet if someone in the house is allergic to the cat or dog. The pet should not have the run of the house. What kind of containment you implement depends on the pet and who in the house has the allergies. All allergies are cumulative and limiting access can help lower the allergen load.
- Keeping the pet outside is best but sometimes that defeats the purpose of having pets.
- Never allow the pet into the bedroom of the person who has pet allergies.
- Don't allow the pet onto the furniture. The pet allergen is so sticky that whoever sits on the furniture will get the allergen on their clothes. They can easily transport into the bedroom of the allergic person.
- Have throw sheets that you can put on the furniture that can be taken off and easily washed. Wash them weekly.
- Eliminating upholstered furniture if possible because the pet allergen clings to fabric. Replace with leather, or vinyl, or something that can be cleaned by wiping it down.
- Have some rooms that are pet-free zones.
Grooming the Pet
Grooming the pet is an important step in allergen avoidance. By grooming and taking care of your pet, you can eliminate a lot of the allergens before they get into your environment. It is a lot easier to groom the pet and eliminate allergens that way than for the allergens to be released into the environment and then have to clean the whole house.
- Talk to your vet about a diet involving more oils that will minimize dander. The diet of our pet can affect the amount of dander that our pet gives off.
- Have a schedule for grooming your pet. You will not eliminate the allergen but you can help reduce the allergen load to your environment. You will be helping the cumulative effect that can help keep symptoms under control.
- Instead of giving your cat a bath (which the cat won’t like), dry wiping the cat down with a damp rag. This will help remove some of the allergens before they are released into the air.
- Brush your cat and dog on a regular basis outside if possible. Even though the allergen is not the hair itself, the fur does hold and collect the allergen by sticking to it.
- Wash your hands after grooming your pet to prevent spreading the tiny allergens.
- Once a month give your pet a bath.
Room of Oasis
It doesn’t matter what type of airborne allergy you have, you should always have a room of oasis. There should always be a “clean room” that the allergic person can go to, to find relief. The bedroom is the best choice for this since one-third of your time is spent sleeping. This is especially important if you have pet allergies.
The pet allergen is extremely small. As a result, it will stay in the air longer and the air currents will take them through out the house. The bed is always the first place to address in the bedroom. The objective is to keep the allergen away from your nose as you sleep.
- Encase your box spring, mattress, and pillow, and comforter. Encasing your bedding with allergen impermeable material prevents allergens from accumulating. This will allow for less symptoms and better sleep.
- Keep the door to your bedroom closed.
- Don't allow pets into the bedroom.
- Use an air purifier in the room of sanctuary to capture the allergens before they settle.
- Limit the number of furry toys and throw pillows that collect dust and pet allergens.
- Use a media filter over the vents coming into the room to prevent allergens from coming in from the other parts of the house.
Air Quality
Along with a HEPA vacuum, an air purifier can be one of the most important tools for those who have pet allergies. The pet allergen is so small that it stays airborne for a long time. The air purifier is very effective in catching the allergen. If your budget permits, consider one for your room of oasis and one for the living space. Your quality of life through fewer symptoms will improve dramatically.
- Use an air purifier specifically designed for pet allergens.
- Find the appropriate times to open your windows. Fresh air is great to have when you have pet allergies.
- Keep the air filter on your furnace filter in good condition.
- Keep the litter box clean and away from the return air ducts. This would circulate the allergen throughout the house.
Hygiene and Laundry
The pet allergen is very sticky and will stick to anything. Sticking to clothes is one of the many things that the allergen sticks to. If a person has pet allergies and does not have the animal that they are allergic to, the allergen can be transported into their home by someone who does have the pet. That is not hard to believe when you see people coming to work with pet hair on them.
- Practicing good hygiene is important whether you have allergies or not. Wash your hands and don't touch your face or eyes after touching the pet. The quickest way to get allergens into your eyes and start symptoms is by touching your eyes with your own hands. Wash your skin if the pet licks you.
- Keep your pet clean and groomed.
- Keep the litter box cleaned. This is good for both the person who suffers from allergies and the cat.
- Keep the pet bedding clean.
- Clean the pet bedding, kennel or cage outside if possible.
- Wash the bedding once a week.
- Wash curtains and drapes once a month to wash out the allergens that can stick to them.
- Use throw rugs that can be picked up carefully and washed.
- Use furniture throws that can be taken off and washed. If you sit on furniture that the pet has been on, the allergen can stick to your clothes.
- Change clothes and wash hair before going into the bedroom to sleep to prevent the allergen from getting on your pillow which will be next to your nose.
Cleaning
Cleaning is not only the most important step to avoid pet allergens, it is harder. With most airborne allergens, they float in the air and then settle. With the pet allergens, they stay airborne longer and they stick everywhere. Cleaning will involve cleaning vertical surfaces. Having pet allergies means that cleaning is needed more often. A frequent cleaning routine with plenty of air ventilation can make pet allergies manageable and the pet enjoyable.
- Use a quality vacuum. This is one of most important tools in the fight against pet allergies. This is not the tool to go with the "economy" model, or it simple won't work. The pet allergen particle size is five to ten times smaller than the dust mite allergen and much stickier. The vacuum must be powerful enough to lift the sticky allergen from the carpet and the bag must be able to catch and contain it. A regular vacuum cannot do this. The wrong vacuum can make matters worse by allowing the allergen back into the air. The pet allergen is so light weight that it will stay airborne for a long time.
- With pet allergies, it is best to vacuum twice a week.
- Use the vacuum attachments to get into all the hard to reach places. The allergen settles everywhere.
- Wear a mask while cleaning.
- Use cleaning supplies that don't have harsh chemicals and irritants.
- Never dust with a dry cloth and never use a dry feather duster. You will just spread the dust around instead of eliminating it.
- Wipe down vertical surfaces as the pet allergen can stick anywhere.
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