8 Tips to Tackle Dog Allergies and Enjoy a Happier Home

According to the American Pet Products Association, there are currently over 70 million pet-owning households in the United States. This means there are a lot of people out there living with furry friends. Unfortunately, some of these pet lovers must contend with dog allergies as an unfortunate side effect. However, this doesn’t mean you have to leave your pets outside or give them up altogether. With a little perseverance and planning, you can tackle your dog allergy and enjoy a happier home with your canine companions. If you live with dogs and are allergic, it’s important to understand that it is not their fur that causes an allergic reaction; rather it’s their saliva and oils from their skin that triggers the immune system response in most people who suffer from dog allergies.

Prevention is key.

If you see the signs of a dog allergy in yourself, it’s important to take preventative measures as soon as possible. If you have a dog and are allergic to it, but haven’t yet taken any steps to minimize your exposure to it, your allergies are likely to get worse over time. Dog saliva and skin oils are sticky and stay on carpets, furniture, and other household surfaces for long periods of time. The longer they are allowed to linger, the more concentrated they become, and the greater the risk they pose to allergy sufferers. Even the most well-behaved dogs will inevitably leave behind some saliva and oils when they groom themselves, or when they sit or lie on surfaces in your home.

Keep the house clean.

Dog allergies are triggered not only by a dog’s saliva and skin oils, but also by their dander (tiny particles produced as a result of the shedding process). The dander is often trapped in carpets and rugs, particularly in rooms where a dog spends a lot of time. This is why cleanliness is key for allergy sufferers living with dogs. You will want to vacuum frequently (daily if possible), and thoroughly, in order to remove as much dander from your carpets as possible. It’s also important to use the correct setting on your vacuum, using a high suction setting on stubborn areas, like rugs. It’s also a good idea to invest in a quality vacuum cleaner, like a Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine.

Install an air purifier.

Air purifiers are great at removing dander and other allergens from the air in your home. For some allergy sufferers, they can be just as effective as removing the allergens from surfaces like carpets and furniture. If you have a dog and are allergic to it, an air purifier, particularly one with a high-quality HEPA filter, is an excellent investment. You can choose between models that are tabletop or wall-mounted, and there are also popular models that combine air purification with UV light that can help eliminate germs and microbes. When purchasing an air purifier, it’s important to look for a model that’s designed for pet owners. These units filter out pet allergens from the air, like dander and hair, as well as dust and other allergens.

Invest in a good mattress and pillow.

If you’re allergic to your dog, it might be a good idea to invest in a good, allergy-proof mattress. This will help to minimize the amount of dog saliva and oils you’re coming into contact with, which can be particularly helpful if you share a bed with your pooch. If a new mattress isn’t in your budget, you might be able to save a few bucks by covering your existing mattress with a mattress protector. You can find allergen-proof mattress protectors in most online and offline stores. It’s also a good idea to invest in a special pillow that can help minimize the amount of dander you’re inhaling while you sleep.

Try vacuuming with a room buster brush.

If you’re allergic to dog dander and it’s too expensive or impractical to replace your carpets, you might be able to minimize the amount of dander in your home by vacuuming regularly with a room buster brush. These brushes have stiff bristles that can be used to pull dander out of your carpets. They are particularly good at lifting dirt, dust, and allergens from dark-colored carpets. While these brushes can’t entirely replace regular carpet cleaning, they can help break up and remove a significant amount of dander from your carpets. Beware, though, that these brushes might not be as gentle on your carpets as a regular vacuum cleaner. They can also be loud, so it might be a good idea to use them during times of day when you’re not likely to be disturbed by the noise.

Get an epidermal barrier product (e.g., Shammamoor).

If you’ve tried all of the above methods and are still struggling with dog allergies, you might want to get an epidermal barrier product, or EBP. EBP is a synthetic barrier that can be applied to your skin to help minimize the amount of dog saliva and oils that come into contact with your skin. EBP products can range in price, but they are often cheaper than getting allergy shots or anti-histamine medications. It’s important to remember that EBP products are not guaranteed to protect you from allergies, but they can make a big difference for some allergy sufferers. To apply the product, follow the instructions included in the package. It’s important to follow the application instructions carefully, and to make sure the product is applied thickly enough to cover all the areas of your skin that come into contact with your dog.

Use odor-eating products.

If you’ve tried all of the above suggestions, and you’re still struggling with dog allergies, the last thing you can do is try to reduce the amount of dog dander in your home by using odor-eating products, like air fresheners. These products trap odors inside a sponge or mat, where they can be more potent, and release them at a later time. These kinds of products will only make the problem worse, because they’re likely to trap and re-release the dander and other allergens in your home. Instead, try using odor-eating sprays, which actively destroy the source of the smell. These sprays can be used to kill the bacteria that causes the smell of dog saliva and oils, as well as mold and mildew that can exacerbate allergies.

Conclusion

Of course, when a dog has allergies, the best way is to seek help from the veterinarian in time. Professional treatment will help the dog alleviate a lot of pain and get better faster.

If you suspect that your dog has contact allergy, you must find out what the cause is. Contact allergy usually does not need to see the veterinarian. You only need to consider the time when it takes into account the new environment or places new things in the home. You can deal with the simplest allergy, but sometimes you need to take a slow test to find out the root cause.

A clean room can effectively reduce the risk of allergies and make us feel good, so it is very necessary to keep the house and dogs clean. For the sake of dogs and our health, it is worth doing for a long time to often remove dust, clean and clean bedding.