Pet Allergies

There are many pet owners and pet lovers who suffer from non-life threatening allergies that actually live with pets despite having allergies for them. These people choose to live with their pets because the advantages seem to outweigh the disadvantages of pet allergies.

Most cats and dogs can cause allergic reactions for pet lovers. Cats tend to cause more reactions than dogs, even though some people are more sensitive to dogs than cats. There are no “non-allergenic” breeds of cats or dogs. Even hairless breeds can cause symptoms.

Before you bring home a new pet, first consider whether you will be able to live with the symptoms. In the case of children, most tend to outgrow allergies.
Below is a list of five steps that can reduce pet allergenic symptoms:

1. Create an "allergy free" zone in your home—preferably the allergic person's bedroom—and strictly prohibit the pet's access to it. Use a high-efficiency HEPA air cleaner, and consider using impermeable covers for the mattress and pillows.

2. Use HEPA air cleaners throughout the rest of the home, and avoid dust-and-dander-catching furnishings such as cloth curtains and blinds and carpeted floors. Clean frequently and thoroughly to remove dust and dander, washing articles such as couch covers and pillows, curtains, and pet beds.


3. Bathing your pet on a weekly basis can reduce the level of allergy-causing dander (shed old skin cells) by as much as 84 percent. Cats can get used to being bathed, but it’s critical to only use products labeled for them; kittens may need a shampoo safe for kittens. Check with your veterinarian's staff or a good book on pet care for directions about safe bathing, it’s a good idea to use a shampoo recommended by your veterinarian or other animal care professional.

4. Don't be quick to blame the family pet for allergies. Ask your allergist to specifically test for allergies to pet dander. Many allergy sufferers are sensitive to more than one allergen. Reduce the overall allergen level in your environment by concentrating on all of the causes, not just the pet allergy.


5. Try treatments. Additional treatments for allergies to pets are include immunotherapy (allergy shots), steroidal and antihistamine nose sprays and antihistamine pills. It is important to find an allergist who understands your commitment to living with your pet. A combination of approaches—medical control of symptoms, good housecleaning methods, and immunotherapy—is most likely to succeed in allowing an allergic person to live with pets.

(Information provided by humanesociety.com)
About Queen City Petsitting

Serving the Charlotte area, Queen City Pet Sitting offers an array of services worthy of any pet owners respect. Jump onboard the Pet Taxi for a ride to the veterinarian, order a quick grooming, or even ask for an errand run to return your late movie rentals. Whatever the case may be, these pet care sitters promise to get it done!

To learn more about Queen City Petsitting, visit us at www.queencitypetsitting.com