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How to Treat Cat and Dog Allergies

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), between 15 and 20 percent of people are allergic to pets. (\Many people have allergies to their own cats and dogs, but choose to keep them as a member of the family. This is because there are many ways to treat pet allergies to make living with them bearable. Allergies to pets result in irritation of the nose, lungs and eyes. People with pet allergies experience nasal congestion, sneezing, itching eyes and trouble breathing, in some cases. If you love your pet and want to keep him around for years to come, treat your allergies with preventative measures and medication.

Things You'll Need

  • Hypoallergenic bedding
  • HEPA filter
  • Vacuum with HEPA bag
  • Anti-allergen room spray
  • Pet brush or comb
  • Allergy pills
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep your pet from entering your bedroom and use hypoallergenic bedding on your bed. This will give you an area to be free from allergens whenever necessary, especially when sleeping.

    • 2

      Purchase a high particulate efficiency air (HEPA) filter from a home improvement store and place it in your bedroom or living room. Keep the filter on at all times to remove the allergen from the air.

    • 3

      Get rid of carpeting in your home, as carpeting and upholstery fabrics collect allergens. If you must keep the carpeting, vacuum often with a HEPA vacuum or standard vacuum with a HEPA bag installed.

    • 4

      Spray the air and furniture with an anti-allergen room spray daily to neutralize allergens in rooms.

    • 5

      Have someone who is not allergic to the animal brush or comb the cat or dog every day to remove dead skin and hair. Wipe the pet down with allergen removing wipes or bathe the pet once a week.

    • 6

      Take allergy pills to minimize symptoms. Some allergy pills are over-the-counter, while others require a prescription from an allergist.

    • 7

      Get immunotherapy, or desensitizing allergy shots, from a physician or allergist. Patients can receive immunotherapy shots for dogs or cats.

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