As a pet lover, it breaks your heart to suffer from pet-related allergies. After all, you just want to cuddle with your dog or cat without experiencing itchy eyes, wheezing, or rashes. Luckily, you can take measures to reduce pet allergens and live a happy life with your furry friend. Follow these six steps to relieve pet allergies.
How to Live with Pets and Allergies: Six Tips for the Animal Lover
Make Your Bedroom Off-Limits
Even if your pets rule the roost, take precautions to keep your bedroom off-limits. Pet dander and hair sticks in your sheets and exposes you to allergens all night long. You can avoid nightly attacks by steering Fluffy away from your room.
Spring for a Cleaning Service
Another good idea for an allergic pet-owner is to invest in a quality cleaning service to deep-clean your home. Hire a cleaner to specifically wipe down smooth surfaces, thoroughly vacuum the carpet and couches, dust and mop. Every few months or so, it’s a good idea to have your carpets deep-cleaned, too.
Get Your Pet Groomed Often
In addition to keeping a clean house, you should hire a groomer to professional clean your pet at least twice a month. They can thoroughly wash your pet’s coat, brush excess hair, and maintain healthy skin. You could just do this yourself, but that might cause an allergic reaction.
Ask for an Allergy Test
If your allergies seem out of control, ask your doctor for an allergy test. They can pinpoint the cause of your allergies. Surprisingly, you could be allergic to a plant nearby that your dog or cat comes in contact with, and not your actual pet. Once you know what you’re allergic to, you can take steps to remove it.
Use Vitamin Supplements to Reduce Dander
If you are allergic to your pet and not a plant, start giving them a vitamin supplement to encourage healthier skin. Most people are allergic to dander, or flaky skin, and not the actual hair of a pet. Healthy skin means less dander, and less allergies to boot.
Tame Household Pests
If dander isn’t your problem, but pests are, seek help from a local pest control company. Often, household pests that cause allergens stick onto dog or cat fur, causing annoying allergy symptoms. Make it a habit to check for fleas and ticks on your pet, especially if they’ve just been outdoors. A quick consultation with Naperville pest control experts can eliminate those pesky pests for good.
You don’t have to suffer unnecessarily with pet-related allergies when you follow these six helpful tips. Employ these practices for a few weeks and see the difference they make.
Amy Deeter
Tuesday 24th of April 2018
I enjoyed reading this. i have really bad allergies with pets
Chelsi Smith
Sunday 10th of January 2016
Great tips. thank you for sharing
Kate F.
Tuesday 17th of November 2015
These are great tips. I'm very allergic to cats, but only mildly allergic to dogs, so luckily I've always been able to have dogs.
veronica lee
Monday 31st of August 2015
I took an allergy test and found that I am allergic to my guinea pig's hay.They make my eyes itch. I replaced the hay with pellets and I'm okay now.
belinda bell
Friday 28th of August 2015
I use these tips because I love my fur baby and don't want to give her up