5 Tips for Reducing Pet Allergies

Spring means allergy season is here, and allergies to pets can be a big problem for pet lovers and pet parents. It’s also the time of year for pollen, mold, and dust, so allergy sufferers double up the dose of misery. Even if you aren’t directly allergic to your pooch, they act like furry dust mops that trap and hold allergens.

It doesn’t have to be spring for you to react to your pets with allergy symptoms. These symptoms include itchy eyes, coughing, wheezing and/or hives. Whether it’s allergy season or any other day, we have a list of tips to help reduce those allergies.

Tips to Reduce Pet Allergies

• Bath your pup weekly in plain water. This will reduce the risk of allergic reactions by rinsing away the dander.
• Wear an old shirt to play and cuddle, then change clothes and wash your hands and face.
• Create a “pet-free zone” such as the bedroom, and make it off-limits to the pet.
• Invest in an air purifier. Air purifiers rid the air of dust, pet hair, and dander. You can also get HEPA filter air cleaners added to central heating and air conditioning which when used at least four hours per day can help remove allergens from the air.
• Brush your pets thoroughly to get rid of hair otherwise shed in the house. We love the Furminator grooming tool. It pulls off 90 percent or more loose fur and it works on cats, too. Different sizes are available at pet products stores.

We would love to hear from you if you have any tips or tricks that help you get through the allergy season!