How to Control Dog Dander
You used to have such a nice dog! But now it has dry, flaky skin, and there seems to be a thin layer of doggy skin flakes all over your house. Dog dander is dead skin flakes--almost, but not exactly, like human dandruff. The flakes become airborne and fly everywhere. Dander gets attached to the carpet, the drapes, your nice sofa, your bed, your pillows and mostly everywhere else. You cannot completely eliminate dander, but there are some measures you can take to reduce it.
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Things You'll Need
- Dog shampoo
- Slicker brush
- Omega-3 supplement
- Salmon oil
- Gloves
- HEPA vacuum cleaner
Instructions
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Bathe your dog frequently. Several times a week will be OK, as long as you remember to use cool water and special moisturizing pet allergy shampoo. The idea is to keep the skin healthy and reduce dog dander by washing it away before it has time to accumulate and fly everywhere. Obviously if you have a dander allergy, you should get someone else to bathe the dog.
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Brush your dog often. Get a slicker brush. These are used for horses, but your dog will enjoy the attention too. A slicker brush will remove dead skin, stimulate the production of natural oils and keep the hair looking nice and untangled.
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Feed your dog properly. If your dog seems to have very dry skin and dander is flying everywhere, the problem might be a case of omega-3 deficiency. Yes, that same omega-3 that is supposed to be good for your health. Dogs need it too, and usually it is not present in processed dog food. Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. A daily dose of salmon oil, cod liver oil or sardine oil should make for a healthier dog with a shinier coat and thus reduce dog dander.
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Create a dog-friendly environment. If you are not careful, your home can become a dander magnet just by virtue of having the wrong kind of decor. If you have dander allergies and you want to have dogs, you have to get rid of your carpets and rugs. Changing your drapes for plastic blinds would be helpful too. You cannot eliminate dander, but you can keep it out of your way.
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Get the right tools. If you can't get someone else to bathe the dog, get a protective mask and gloves. These will also come handy when you vacuum, as you will inevitably raise a tiny cloud of dandruff. Look for a HEPA vacuum cleaner, as normal vacuums may just make the problem worse.
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Tips & Warnings
While bathing your dog frequently may help reduce dander, if it is not done properly it can dry the skin, thus becoming counterproductive. Avoid using hot water, and don't forget to use a moisturizing shampoo.
