Solving Allergies to Pets
Allergies to cats happens year round…and shouldn’t get in the way of the bond. Image Copr Maria Magnus/Flickr
Hot weather may mean more time spent indoors avoiding the sun for both people and pets. It’s also the time of year for pollen, mold and dust, so allergy sufferers double up on the dose of misery. Two days ago the blog discussed tips for pet allergies, and today it’s time to figure out what to do if you’re allergic to the pet you love. Even if you aren’t directly allergic to your cat or dog, they act like furry dust mops that trap and hold allergens that do set you off.
The last figures I heard guestimated that about 40 million Americans suffer from dog and cat allergies. Nearly 30 percent of cat owners are allergic to their cats. Symptoms include itchy eyes, coughing, wheezing and/or hives.
Sensitive people don’t react to the pet hair at all. Instead a specialized protein found in the saliva and skin causes the reaction. Any pet may provoke an allergic reaction–there’s no such thing as a “hypoallergenic” pet, despite marketing claims you may hear.
LIVING WITH PET ALLERGIES
Washing the pet weekly in plain water dramatically reduces allergic reactions by rinsing away the dander. If like my dog Magic, your dog may welcome a dowsing with the hose to cool off in this hot weather. For cats, use a wet washcloth and wipe them down, since they tend to object to dunking. Your own physician can guide you about human health concerns. But there are steps pet owners can take to feel better, without having to give up their special cat or dog.
Create a “pet free zone” such as the bedroom, and make it off limits to the cat or dog. That gives you eight or more hours a day of reduced exposure.
Brush and/or comb your pets thoroughly to get rid of hair otherwise shed in the house. Have a non-allergic family member take care of this duty. I love the Furminator grooming tool. It pulls off 90 percent or more loose fur, and with a German shepherd, I know from shedding! It works on the cat, too. Different sizes are available at pet products stores.
Cat people may react more to the dusty litter than to the cat. This is a great excuse to have one of the kids take on pet potty cleaning duties, so the allergy sufferers avoid exposure.
Allerpet® can help by cleaning a pet’s coat of dander and other allergens such as dried urine and saliva, common irritants that trigger human reactions. After a thorough brushing to extract dead hair, Allerpet is applied to the animal’s coat and does not harm the pet or leave a residue on furniture or clothing. The product is a gentle emollient that is non-toxic and safe for use around small children, plants and animals. Allerpet®/D is designed for dogs and Allerpet®/C is designed for cats, but can also be used on ferrets, rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice and other furry critters. Both products are available over the counter at pet products stores.
There are some individual cats that may be less “allergenic.” Siberian cats, for example, are known to produce less of the Fel D1 protein that people react to. But of course it’s not the FUR that causes allergic reactions, it’s the dander (dried skin secretions containing Fel D1, combined with dried saliva, urine, etc) so a hairless kitty isn’t necessarily the solution.
How do you manage your pet allergies? Maybe having someone else groom the cat or scoop the litter (the dust can set you off, too!) may mean you can tolerate more close encounters of the kitty kind. Please share your experiences. What would say/do if a human loved one became allergic and the doctor said, “get rid of Fluffy.”
Not gonna happen in MY world, what about yours?
Here’s a video that got a lot of response when it aired (FYI, those kittens are now adults living with loving families).
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
