Humane Education



Allergy Sufferers: Keep Your Pets
By Jacob Maslow of Allergy Be Gone
Guest Blogger on PetsNewsandViews.com

Whether he or she is named Fido, Luna, Max, Chester, or Rin Tin Tin, pet owners love their pets. Pets prove to be loyal and loving companions to many. But, uh oh, what happens when you or a family member becomes allergic to this cherished family member?

Allergies, including allergies to pets, are on the rise. There are a number of factors contributing to this unwanted occurrence; the primary factor being pollution. However, when you or a family member becomes allergic to your pet, it becomes personal and much more problematic.

If you suffer from dust mites, you can remove your carpets and draperies, Simply replace them with products that do not create a breeding ground for the little vermints. And, you can easily use allergen protective covers for your bedding. You take whatever means you can to get rid of the allergic trigger. When it’s your pet, what do you do? Pet allergy sufferers not only suffer with their allergy symptoms, but they have the added concern of possibly having to give their pet away. Hold on though, don’t panic. There’s plenty you can do to reduce symptoms from pet allergy triggers, otherwise called pet dander.

10 Steps to Reduce Your Exposure to Pet Dander


  1. Keep your pet out of the bedroom.
  2. Use air purifiers in the bedrooms and other rooms you spend time in, such as the living room and/or the playroom.
  3. Use a HEPA filter on each air purifier and a high quality filter for each air conditioner in your home. HEPA filters are specially designed to trap and eliminate 99.7% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. The more allergens trapped, including pet dander, the less allergens in your home.
  4. Vacuum carpets and unholstered furniture regularly, and make sure you use a HEPA vacuum cleaner filter. Again, these filters drastically reduce the allergens in your home.
  5. Dust regularly, at least once a week, using a microfiber cloth/duster, or damp cloth.
  6. Do not run your ceiling fans. Dust, including pet dander, collects on the blades. If you turn it on, the allergens in the dust become airborne causing allergy symptoms in the allergy sufferer.
  7. If possible, remove carpets and heavy draperies and replace with products such as wood or tile flooring and blinds.
  8. Wear an allergy mask when dusting and vacuuming.
  9. Use HEPA filters in your heating system.
  10. Place filters over your air vents.

While there are even more strategies you can use to keep your home allergen-free and reduce your allergy symptoms, these 10 steps will get you headed in the right direction and certainly help reduce your exposure to your pet’s dander.

One last note, consulting with an allergist and possibly getting allergy shots is also another avenue you can look into. The shots help your body tolerate the allergy triggers that are bothering you, including pet dander.

Allergy Be Gone is a family company owned and managed by an allergy sufferer. The founders, Marc and Allen Barsano, have always been concerned with helping people who suffer from allergies. For this reason, Marc and Allen are dedicated to providing useful and regularly updated allergy avoidance information. Their blog is updated daily and their Allergist Directory is quite popular..