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Preventive Measures For Pet Allergy

What are the best ways to avoid and minimize pet allergies?

No matter how cuddly, cute, and irresistibly huggable your cat or dog or any pet for that instance, the surest and still the best way is to keep away from these pets. Sadly, it is still best to keep all pets banned from your home not just on the inside but outside as well. Pet dander and other allergens from pets are extremely light and can float from the outside to the inside of your home.

However, if you are not willing to get rid of your pets, then you should consider a visit to your doctor or immunologist first before keeping your pet. Your doctor can provide a list of do’s and don’ts for you and corresponding first aid treatment. It might also help if you undergo an immunotherapy especially if you have a most severe reaction to the said allergens. Consider visiting also a veterinarian. Your vet can recommend a healthy diet and good grooming for your pet to minimize shedding of fur and dead skin or dander.

Some practical tips in avoiding pet allergies are largely dictated by common sense though. Like do not hug or kiss pet, avoid or minimize contact with your pet, and wash your hands immediately after stroking cats or dogs and other pet animals for that matter.

Avoiding or minimizing contact with your pets does not however ensure zero exposure to allergens from pets. It is also important to keep your home especially inside allergen free. Get rid of or steer clear of rugs, carpets, wool (even wool sweaters and the like) as fur, feathers, dander and other allergens can accumulate in it. If you can not get rid of these things, try using chemical or cleaning solutions to get rid of allergens from your rugs and carpets or wool clothing and the like. It is also advisable if you make use of electrostatic (HEPA) air cleaners. Make use of micro filter bag or double your filter bag in the vacuum to trim down the quantity of pet allergen accumulated in carpets and rugs that will escape into the air thereby back to your home. Make use of filters and screen on your room vents and keep litter boxes away from vents especially if you have a central air conditioning or heating system. Allergens from pets can also accumulate in upholstered furniture and couches. Consider covering your upholstered furniture and couches with plastic or any material that keeps fur, dander, feathers and other allergens away from your upholstered furniture and couches.

You can also avoid exposure to allergens by grooming your pet regularly. Of course, it is better if someone who is not allergic to pets will do this for you. Bathe your pet once a week or as recommended by your vet. Some shampoo and soap for pets are now able to inactivate allergens or neutralize allergens from pets. Brush your pet regularly outside your home or away from your home in open spaces.

Lastly, consider having a different pet that does not cause you allergies.