How to Live With an Allergy to Animal Hair

Allergies to animal hair are not caused by the hair itself, but by a protein present in the pet's saliva and dander. Fortunately, you have options for dealing with the allergy other than getting rid of the pet.

Things You'll Need

• Air Filters
• Flitered Vacuums
• Power Brush Vacuum Attachments
• Distilled Waters
• Bromelain
• Quercetin
• Vitamin C
• Allergen Remover

Instructions

1. Wash your pet weekly. This will reduce the allergen levels. Use a very mild dog or cat shampoo to prevent your pet's skin from getting too dry.

2. Rub pet down with distilled water daily. It helps reduce allergen levels significantly.

3. Use one of the allergen reduction products on the market. They are sold in pet supply stores; you can use them instead of distilled water.

4. Vacuum daily. Use a vacuum with a good HEPA filter. Vacuum furniture and drapes as well as the floor.

5. Consider removing carpeting. Smooth floors such as tile or wood are much easier to clean, and animal hair doesn't cling to these surfaces.

6. Use an air filtration system in your house.

7. Minimize upholstered furniture and soft fleecy surfaces, which can harbor allergens.

8. Damp-dust at least once a week. The allergens are airborne and can stick to objects around the house, such as lamp shades or picture frames.

9. Keep pets out of bedroom.

10. Select a sofa or chair that will be the pet's spot and cover it with a sheet. It will be easier to keep your pet off furniture if the pet has a designated piece of furniture to sit on.

11. Wash the sheets once a week.

12. Wash or wipe down pet toys frequently. They carry allergens.

13. Confine pets to certain rooms if you have a large house.

14. Wash your hands after playing with your pet.

15. Keep pets outside if you have a safe place for them. For dogs, this means a fenced yard and a doghouse for shelter. Cats should not be kept outside unless you live in an area far away from traffic and natural predators.

16. Consider taking allergy shots to help desensitize you to the allergens.

Tips & Warnings

• Pet allergens can exist in a house long after the pet is gone. If you have allergies to animal hair and are moving to a new residence, check whether the former occupant had pets. If so, you should take extra steps to clean the house, especially the carpeting, before moving in. You may want to consider hiring a specialist if your allergies are severe.