After a year of having severe allergy problems, including a persistent cough, that followed my seasonal allergies and never went away, I finally went to the allergist. There I heard the news that every pet owner dreads: I’m allergic to one of my animals.
My exchange with the doctor went something like this: he told me I was allergic to cats. I said that was strange, because although I’d been having problems I currently own a cat and have lived with one at several points in my life. I’d been told I had other severe allergies, so I guessed my issues stemmed from them.
The doctor said that sometimes people develop immunity to their own pets, but are still bothered by others. He said something along the lines of “surely you’ve noticed that when you visit friends with cats you begin sneezing and coughing and have a runny nose.” I shook my head. Many of my friends have cats and I’m never bothered at their houses, despite the fact that I frequently cuddle their felines. Plus I handle cats once a week as part of my shelter volunteering.
Despite my incredulity that my cat and not my dust mite or myriad plant allergies have led to my problems, I do believe that I might have a mild intolerance for my cat. I think that most people do; if nothing else, pet dander is an irritant for just about anyone, especially if left unchecked.
I blame my problems on the past two years spent in a poorly ventilated basement apartment. Still, my allergy problems were severe enough that I want to do whatever I can to prevent them from returning. I am considering immunotherapy injections (allergy shots), but in the mean time I want to try a few other options.
How pet owners can cope with allergies to their beloved animals is a popular topic around any pets blog. I want to share the tips I’ve learned for cutting down on pet dander for anyone else with similar problems.
-Buy a dander spray. You wipe it onto your pet’s coat and it helps cut down the dander.
-Replace your carpets with hardwood or other flooring, or if you can’t do that, vacuum at least once a week using a machine equipped with a regularly-replaced HEPA filter.
-Wash any blankets, pillows, sheets, etc. with which your pets come into contact every couple weeks (more or less depending on the severity of your allergies) with hot water. If you don’t want to or can’t use hot water, soak them in bleach for 20 minutes before washing.
-Brush and bathe your pets regularly. Dander shampoos are also available.
-Dust, dust, dust!
-Install HEPA air vent filters.
-Run an air purifier in your bedroom if your pets have access to it.
-Keep your pets out of your bedroom. I don’t like this rule because I love cuddling with my pets, but I’ve recently had to ban them from my bedroom anyway because they’re frequently disruptive to my sleep.
-This one works more for dust mites, but it can help with pet dander as well: enclose your pillows and mattress/box spring within allergen-blocking covers.
Most pet owners aren’t going to give up their animals if they find out they’re allergic. In addition to taking medication or receiving allergy shots there are other options for dedicated pet owners determined to continue living, and breathing, free with their pets.
Related Articles:
Pet Allergies: Living With Your Pet Anyway
The Nontoxic Home: Air Quality