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Relief From Pet Dander Allergies

Pet dander, a mixture of dried skin and hair particles produced naturally by cats and dogs, is a common household allergen. Light enough to be borne through the air, it easily comes into contact with the membranes of the nose, eyes and mouth. Symptoms from pet dander allergies include coughing, sneezing, watery or itchy eyes, wheezing and hives. Pet owners with allergies frequently seek ways to control their symptoms while keeping close to their beloved animal friends. Fortunately, there are many options.

  1. Concerted Approach

    • Roughly eighty percent of dog and cat owners keep their pets inside, according to a study cited by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Unfortunately, this means constant exposure to pet dander, and even moderate allergies can intensify in these conditions. Some pet owners buy short-haired breeds to help control the spread of dander, but this is partially effective at best. Others try to limit their exposure by putting their pets outside more often, but again this is only a partial solution. Even short-term contact with pets can leave dander on your clothes, and as soon as you walk back into your house, the dander comes with you. To truly diminish your exposure to pet dander, you'll need to take a more concerted approach.

    Carpets and Furniture

    • Begin with examining your household. Vacuum carpets and furniture regularly, and steam clean carpets on a regular schedule as well. Use micro-filtered vacuum bags to keep particles from blowing back into the room. Deep carpets and upholstered furniture are particularly prone to harboring dander. If you can afford it, switch to low-pile carpets and nonupholstered furnishings. If that's not an option, you'll need to intensify your cleaning schedule accordingly.

    Wardrobe

    • Examine your wardrobe. Sweaters, in particular, can carry surprisingly large amounts of pet dander, but any type of clothing can be affected. Wash your clothes regularly, and store dirty clothes in covered hampers. Wear T-shirts or other close-woven fabrics whenever possible.

    Washing and Grooming

    • If you suffer from dander allergies, wash your pet regularly. There are many shampoos on the market to help control dander. Having your pets groomed regularly by a professional also can help.

    Purify Your Air

    • Consider purchasing air purifiers for your house. Free-standing units can be placed in any room, and models with high-quality HEPA or electrostatic filters are easy to find. You also can buy allergenic filters for your central air unit or wall-mounted air conditioner. With all of these options, change your filters regularly for maximum benefit.

    Changing Habits

    • Controlling pet dander may mean altering some of the habits you have established with your pet. If your pets sleep with you on your bed or on the floor in your bedroom, your exposure to dander can be especially intense. Consider making your bedroom or bed off-limits. If this is not an option, wash your bedding frequently to reduce exposure. You also may consider making other rooms, like your den or living room, off-limits for at least part of the day.

    Last Resorts

    • In extreme cases, you may consider taking allergy shots to reduce your sensitivity to dander. Unfortunately, in the most extreme cases, the only viable solution may be permanently removing your pet from the home.

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