February 14, 2022
Wondering if you’re allergic to your pet but not sure?
Here are some common pet allergy symptoms:
- Congestion or runny nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Red, Itchy, or watery eyes
- Puffy eyes
If you're allergic to your pet, it can be a challenge to keep your furry friend around. Additionally, pet dander is a common trigger for certain health problems, like asthma and allergy attacks. However, there are some things that pet owners can do to reduce the symptoms and make their allergies more manageable.
Every year, an estimated 40 million people in the US are affected by pet allergies, with many of those being children.
5 tips to help you reduce pet allergies
1. Develop a Regular Cleaning Schedule, and Stick To It!
- Make sure to vacuum carpets and furniture regularly, as pet hair and dander can accumulate in the corners and cause allergic reactions.
- Wash any blankets or pet bedding that your furry friend sleeps or lounges in often. Make it a habit to clean any pet toys that may be laying around.
- Dust, dust, dust! Pet dander can also accumulate in areas where dust lies which can increase pet allergy symptoms.
- HVAC filters need to be swapped out at least every three months, but if you have pets, it’s recommended that you change HVAC filters monthly.
2. In Addition to Cleaning Your Home, Clean Your Pets as Well!
It’s not pet fur you’re allergic to, you’re actually allergic to the saliva and traces of urine (yes, gross) that are found on your pet’s fur, so it’s important to clean your pet.
- As a general rule of thumb, bathe dogs every four weeks and cats every four-six weeks.
- In between baths, quickly wipe them down with a wet wipe of any kind, but don’t use any type of bleach wipes on your pets!
- When cleaning your pets, remember to wipe down their paws as well.
3. Keep Pets Out of The Bedroom During Sleeping Hours
If you suffer from pet allergies, do your best to keep your pet out of the bed and bedroom when you’re sleeping, however, studies show that more than 56% of pet owners allow their pets to sleep in the bedroom at night. So that one may be tricky if you’re one of the 56%!
4. Choose Hard Flooring When Possible
We’ve all heard this one before, but it’s true. Pet hair and pet dander love hanging out in carpets, and no matter how much you vacuum, there’s just so much that is still left to cause problems if you suffer from dust mite or pet allergies.
5. Go See an Allergist
There are many easy things you can do at home to reduce your exposure to pet allergies but the absolute best thing you can do is to go see an allergy specialist and get your allergies treated once and for all. Immunotherapy is the best option for those who suffer from chronic allergy symptoms like the constant itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and cold-like symptoms. Immunotherapy is the process of slowly introducing your body to the allergens you suffer from, with the goal of building up the body’s immunity to the allergen. Over time as the immunity builds, the body will no longer react which leads to a decrease or complete elimination of allergy symptoms.
Allergy drops are a great way to help with pet allergies, decreasing your symptoms and allowing you to keep your beloved pet. Order your allergy test today to get started!
