Natural Solutions to Pet Allergies

Wheezing, coughing, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, rashes and difficulty breathing are all common symptoms for people with pet allergies. If you think you are allergic, don’t give up your pet just because of an allergy. There are ways to relieve your symptoms and keep puppy (or kitty) in your home.

The first thing to do is to get tested and have the allergy confirmed by a doctor or allergist. There are many types of allergies, and yours may not be pet-related (according to the Human Society of the United States, approximately 15% of the population is allergic to dogs or cats).

If you truly are allergic to your dog, your allergist will present you with options. Unfortunately, many allergists recommend getting rid of your dog without going over other options that are available. While there is no cure for allergies, you can happily live with your dog and make life a lot more pleasant by following some simple guidelines to help keep the house as dander-free as possible.

Avoid heavy carpets and curtains, which can be difficult to thoroughly clean and can hold far more of the particles that cause allergic reactions. Lightweight or sheer curtains and smooth surface floors like hardwood, tile, marmoleum, cork and bamboo are the best options.

If you do have carpeting and replacing it with a hard flooring is not an option, use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration system and have the carpet steam-cleaned several times a year. This will help keep your carpets cleaner and pick up more the dander from your floors.

Use an air purifier containing a HEPA filter to help remove some of the dander in the air. An added bonus is that air filters remove a lot more than just pet dander from the air. Indoor air pollution is a growing health risk and by using an air purifier in your home you’ll be breathing cleaner air (plus you’ll probably have to dust the house a lot less!).

Keep your pets off the furniture. If you need a good excuse to splurge on that Italian leather couch you’ve been wanting: leather furniture is easier to clean and holds far less allergens than upholstered furniture.

Most people spend more time in their bedroom than any other room of the house, making it an ideal room to be an “allergy free” zone by limiting or prohibiting your dog’s access to it. You should definitely keep him off your bed at all times (not even a quick five minute snuggle is okay).

Now time to make your dog as hypoallergenic as possible. Hygiene and good grooming habits are vital. Bathing your dog on a weekly basis can significantly reduce the level of allergens on fur. Such frequent bathing can upset the pH of your dog’s skin, so make sure to use a mild soap to prevent irritation.

In between baths, you can wipe your dog down with a wet cloth or hand towel.
Done on a daily basis this can help remove dander from your dog before he sheds it in the house.

Brush your dog regularly to remove dander and make sure to wash your hands and possibly change clothes afterwards. Brushing should be done outdoors and is most effective when done daily.

A good, well-balanced diet is essential. Make sure your dog’s food includes a sufficient amount of natural fats, to help make his skin less dry (which reduces shedding). If the fat content of his food isn’t sufficient, you can add a teaspoon of olive oil to his food (this also helps create a beautiful shine on his coat!).