Hello all,
The other day my daycare buddy Oscar was telling me about an awful predicament his family is in. Apparently one of his humans has developed pretty bad allergies to pets, and it’s made their home life really hard. They refuse to give up and re-home Oscar, who is pretty sure that his name is now actually “ACHOO!!” Anyway, it’s a challenge for humans to work around pet allergies, but there is hope! Here are some solutions I’ve dug up for sneezy humans with pets.
What Causes Allergies?
The allergens that set your nose running and skin itching are most commonly found in dander, and saliva. The most common allergens are called FEL D 1 in cats and CAN F 1 in dogs (Yup, I’m a scientist now, by the way). Some animals have higher levels of FEL D 1 or CAN F 1 naturally. This means that you can be more allergic to an individual animal than others of the same kind. If you want a pet, but have allergies, shop around! You may come across a dog or cat that doesn’t set off your allergies at all!
Ways To Control Allergens
Since the main source of allergies is dander, the best way to control your sniffles is to keep your pet squeaky clean. Regular bathing and brushing (done outside of the house, preferably by someone who doesn’t have allergies) can help keep dander under control. Cascade Kennels’ grooming department is always happy to help with bathing and brush out services, too. Because of this, I am SO glad that my owners don’t have allergies! Baths…Yuck! Anyway, there are also sprays that can be used on pets to reduce allergens, such as Aller-Pet or AllerFree.
In addition to a clean pet, a clean home will also do wonders. A HEPA air purifier can help keep those nasty allergens out of the air. Be sure to clean floors, dust surfaces and wash bedding on a regular basis. Consider hardwood floors instead of carpet; carpet gathers dust and dander. Keeping animals out of the bedroom and off furniture is a good idea too. My sincerest apologies to my fellow animals that might now be banned from furniture.
Some humans even talk to their doctors and get allergy shots. These medically administered shots actually put the allergen into the body to gradually reduce your body’s sensitivity. I sure hate shots, but it sounds like it’s worth it to me!
The Bottom Line
Allergies don’t have to split up families or prevent humans from having pets. With some perseverance and creativity you can come up with solutions that work for everyone involved!
Until Next Time,
Finley
Executive Canine Quality Control Officer
Cascade Kennels, Inc.
