Allergy Relief

Pet Allergy Myths and Tips

Oct 18, 2007 @ 03:42 am by Admin

Think you’re allergic to pet hair? Think again.

The real problem is proteins contained in the pet’s saliva, dander, and urine. And despite what many breeders and pet stores try to tell you, some dog breeds are NOT better for people with asthma and allergies. There is no such thing as a “hypoallergenic” pet. This is simply a marketing gimmick and nothing else.

All dog breeds have dander, saliva, and urine. So one particular breed is not better than another. Allergies are as unique as the individuals that suffer from them.

Here’s some tips to help minimize the amount of pet allergens in your home. Remember, it’s not the hair, it’s the proteins.

Don’t groom your pet indoors. If possible, brush and bathe your pet outdoors. When your pet is bathed or groomed, dander spreads like wildfire. Keep it out of your house altogether and you’ll be much happier. Obviously, the person doing the bathing and grooming should not be the one allergic to the pet! But this shouldn’t be used as an excuse for not properly taking care of your pet’s hygiene. Studies find a significant reduction in the amount of pet allergens when dogs are bathed weekly but there’s little evidence yet that bathing works as well for cats.
Wash your hands every time you touch your pet.
Feed a high-quality diet. The definition of “high-quality” varies among pet experts but whatever you feed make sure your pet has a nice healthy coat. The right diet can minimize hair loss, reducing dander indoors. Talk to your vet about possibly supplementing your pet’s diet with something like DermCaps or 3V Caps.
Try Allerpet. This is a solution applied to your pet. The Allerpet website is very useful and contains a brochure if you’d to learn more about this product.
Make sure your dog is housebroken and clean litterboxes often. Urine contains allergy-causing proteins that when dry, float into the air and into your nose.

With a little effort, it’s possible to KEEP YOUR PET and GET RID OF YOUR ALLERGIES. Giving your pet up for adoption should be your last option–even though it will be your doctor’s first.