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taking control of allergies |
Allergies are one of the top reasons people cite when trying to get rid of their family pet. Most people have only mild allergies which can be easily controlled with the simple steps we list below. It does take effort on the part of the petowner, but it is a far better solution than trying to pawn your pet off on someone else. We encourage you to seek the professional advice of veterinarians and medical doctors for very severe allergic reactions.
It is possible for you to develop an allergy at any point during your lifetime. You may suddenly find yourself sniffling with watery, itchy eyes and not be able to put a finger on it. Then out of the blue someone will mention "maybe you are allergic to your cat". This may seem out of the question for Fluffy to be causing you this problem. However, we have good news for you. Managing a home with pets is a possibility for most people with mild allergies. Below we list some steps that we have to found to be effective for ourselves as well as advice from various sources.
 You will find below, a list of steps to take in managing a home with pets and someone who suffers from cat/dog allergies. There are just a couple of differences between what to do with a cat compared to a dog which we will point out toward the end. Most steps can be applied to either. Perhaps the most important aspect of these steps is to be consistent. These are tasks which should be completed as prescribed in order for them to remain effective:
- Dander is the culprit that causes allergic reactions - basically little, dried flakes of skin and dried fluid. Keep this from collecting around the house by using a HEPA filter on your vacuum and vacuum several times a week.
- Trade in your fabric drapes & curtains for blinds that can be easily wiped down.
- Keep your dog or cat from entering your bedroom - therefore creating a somewhat 'allergy free' zone for you to sleep in.
- Overstuffed, fabric furniture will collect dander as well as carpeting. Minimize fabric covered furniture and carpeting through out your home. Be sure to steam-clean carpets several times a year to remove allergens.
- Wash your hands after handling or playing with your pet - it will make a big difference for those with mild allergies!
- For those with doggie allergies (or extremely brave cat allergy sufferers), bathe and brush your dog two times per week. Check with your veterinarian for a mild, non-drying shampoo to use. If you do not use the right shampoo, you will cause the dog's skin to dry out and that will cause more dander. Check with your vet before choosing a shampoo.
- Allerpet-C for cats & Allerpet-D for dogs is a dander reducing product that is very easy to apply. Simply wipe the animal down daily with a washcloth moistened with the liquid. Many allergy sufferers swear by this product, but it must be used consistently! You should be able to find it at pet stores or your veterinarian's office.
 We hope that you find this information to be helpful in dealing with your own situations. We should reiterate that this column is not meant to take the place of medical advice. However, for most mild allergy sufferers, by keeping your home and pet clean - you can live a long, sniffle-free life with your pet.
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