A pet allergy occurs when your immune system overreacts to a protein found in an animal’s skin, urine, and saliva. So, when your furry friend sheds hair, urinates, or licks you, that protein could be causing your allergy symptoms to go wild. (Did you know? Even “hypoallergenic” animals are not 100% allergen-free.) Consider implementing the following tips to manage a pet allergy:
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Pet Allergy Tip: Talk to Your Pet’s Vet
Did you know that a pet’s diet can affect how much (or little) shedding occurs? To minimize shedding, consider talking to your pet’s vet about which food would be best to help your four-legged friend from shedding so much.
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Pet Allergy Tip: Enforce a Pet-Free Space
To help get the best sleep possible, we recommend keeping pets out of your bedroom. If you get roughly 8 hours of sleep each night, that’s one-third of your day! To have one-third of your day be in a space that is free of allergies will contribute to fewer allergy symptoms and deeper rest. Instead of your body fighting off allergens during your sleep, it will be repairing and rejuvenating your body as it should.
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Pet Allergy Tip: Use HEPA Filters
HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. These filters trap frustrating allergens that a regular filter would not be able to trap as well. Consider several places in your home that utilize filters and change them out regularly:
- HVAC System
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Air Purifier
Note – If you fail to change them out regularly, mold may grow on the filter which is not ideal.
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Pet Allergy Tip: Keep Pets on the Floor
Pet hair can easily get trapped in furniture upholstery. Unless you’re vacuuming your furniture every day, we recommend keeping pets off the couches, chairs, and beds. If possible, replace carpet with hardwood or LVP flooring. The hair cannot get trapped in this type of material. Instead, it will stay on top of the floor until you sweep or vacuum.
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Pet Allergy Tip: Protect Your Car Seats
Most pups love a good car ride with windows down and tongues out! When your furry friend is in his seat, make sure the seat has a removable seat cover on it. After the ride, wash the seat cover in hot water to kill any germs and allergens.