Having a dog or cat at home can be a joy, but it can pose several challenges when you have a pet allergy.
If you have this condition, you have to deal with constant sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and other respiratory issues whenever you inhale allergens from dog or cat dander, saliva, or urine.
But despite these challenges, you can still add a four-legged member to your family. By choosing the right dog or cat breed, having a good-quality vacuum cleaner for pet hair, and following other precautionary tips, you can manage your allergy while enjoying the perks of having a furry friend at home.
Living With Furry Pets and Allergies
If you have a pet allergy but want to have a dog or cat, follow these tips to minimise your discomfort and still have a happy, comfy home:
1. Get an allergy test.
Before adopting a dog or cat, get an allergy test to know the specific allergens that can trigger your symptoms.
Speak with your healthcare provider about getting an allergy test. This procedure can come in the form of a skin prick, intradermal testing, patch test, or IgE blood test.
The result will tell you if the proteins found in a dog or cat’s saliva, skin flakes, or urine can trigger your symptoms or if other allergens, such as pollen or dust mites, can cause them.
Your allergist or specialist will then measure your immune system’s response to different triggers so that you know where and how to reduce your exposure to allergens.
When you know what triggers your allergies, you can make informed decisions about bringing a furry friend into your home and create an effective plan for managing your symptoms.
2. Choose the right furry pet.
Certain dog and cat breeds are hypoallergenic, which means their saliva, urine, and dander are less likely to trigger allergy symptoms.
Some well-known hypoallergenic dog breeds include:
- Poodles
- Schnauzers
- Bichon Frise
- Portuguese Water Dog
Hypoallergenic cat breeds include:
- Siberian
- Balinese
- Oriental Shorthair
You can spend more time with your pet and manage your symptoms more efficiently if you opt for these hypoallergenic breeds.
3. Invest in a good-quality vacuum cleaner.
Tiny flakes of skin, dander, and other allergens can easily settle in carpets, upholstery, and curtains. A good-quality vacuum can keep your home free from these triggers.
At the very least, get a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. This feature effectively traps allergens, which helps keep your home cleaner and your symptoms more manageable.
If you want a more efficient, state-of-the-art vacuum cleaner, look for one with specially designed animal hair nozzles and a water filtration system. These attachments suck even the tiniest particles while the filter collects and binds them with water, which means you won’t be able to inhale them during disposal.
Look for products with these features when you buy vacuum cleaners online.
4. Keep your home clean.
Once you have a pet, vacuum your home daily. If you’re using a regular device with a HEPA filter, wear a mask when disposing of the dust bag.
You can skip wearing a mask and avoid inhaling allergens when disposing of the bag when you have a vacuum with a water filtration system.
Consider removing or replacing some of your fabric features at home since pet dander and other allergens stick to carpets, curtains, and upholstered furniture easily.
If you have carpets, remove them and stick with the original concrete, ceramic, or wood floor, or replace them with vinyl plank or linoleum flooring or easy-to-wash area rugs.
Cover or replace your furniture with leather, vinyl, canvas, or silk pieces, and opt for blinds or shades. You can also protect your pillows and throws from allergens with impermeable covers.
Regardless of the type of fabric you choose, wash them once a week to ensure they don’t collect dander and other allergens.
Also, regularly replace your HVAC equipment’s air filters since they capture airborne allergens and improve the indoor air quality. Opt for HEPA air purifiers to ensure you experience these benefits at home.
5. Practise proper hygiene habits.
Take a bath and change your clothes daily, preferably at night, to ensure no dander and allergens cling to your skin and garments. You may accidentally bring these substances to bed and inhale them while sleeping.
Moreover, be prepared to bathe and brush your dog or cat more often to reduce the dander and other particles they shed.
However, make sure your pet’s skin doesn’t dry out, which can happen when you bathe them frequently. Dry skin can cause them to release more allergens.
Use an allergen-neutralising shampoo and wipes with moisturising elements to help manage allergen levels in your pet’s fur and prevent dryness.
6. Establish pet-free areas.
Having pet-free zones in your home allows you to have a place where you can be less careful about allergy triggers.
Don’t let your dog or cat in your bedroom and bathroom. Your living room, den, and home office should also be pet-free since these are places where you can relax or work.
Even if you don’t let your furry friends enter these rooms, ensure there’s an air purifier in each one to keep the air healthy and clean. Install weatherstripping to the door and a door sweep to prevent pet dander from entering through the gaps.
Although your pet allergy may complicate your lifestyle, you can enjoy having a four-legged family member with these tips and practices.
