Pets are a wonderful addition to the family and they can be your best friends. If you have allergies or asthma however, the furry form of a dog or cat or hamster or rabbit can also be your worst enemy. Pets that are warm blooded, everything other than fish and reptiles, will shed dander, which is a combination of dead skin cells, dried saliva, and fur or feather shreds. Dander can trigger asthma attacks and severe allergic reactions in people with pet allergies to dander, fur, or feathers. For severe cases of allergies it is recommended by St. Louis MO allergist to be a pet-free home, especially if children are involved. However, there are several things you can do to lessen pet allergens at home without getting rid of your beloved pets.

Minimize contact – You can reduce dander, fur, and other allergens in your home by relegating your pets to the outdoors as much as possible. At the very least, dogs and cats should not be allowed in the bedrooms and never on the beds. Smaller pets like hamsters and rabbits need to also be kept out of children\’s rooms.

Wood flooring in the home and blinds instead of drapes traps less dander and are easier to clean. Making it easier to keep dander and pet related allergens in check.

Clean, clean, clean – and this is not talking about the dog or cat, though that is important and will be discussed later. Dusting and vacuuming frequently can help keep dander from accumulating around the house and keeps the air cleaner. St. Louis, MO Allergist do sat it is still a good idea to do the house cleaning when the person with allergies or asthma is not at home so any allergens present are not kicked up into the air while they are around. Wood and tile floors make cleaning faster and easier too.

Bathe your pet – Research has shown over the years that frequently bathing your pet an be a great way to reduce the allergens that are found in their dander. You cannot keep your pet from having dander, almost all breeds of dogs and cats have dander because of the fibers of their hair and the way they shed. What you can do is lessen the potency of dander so when it gets into the air it does not cause severe symptoms.

Washing your dog several times a month can be a great way to lessen the dander load. The same may hold true for cats but due to the innate difficulty of bathing felines, it is hard to determine if the results are worth the effort involved.

Clean cages and bedding – Though smaller pets such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, rabbits, mice, ferrets, birds, and other small animals typically confined to cages are less of a problem when it comes to causing flareups for allergy and asthma sufferers. Dander and urine accumulation can still lead to acute allergy or asthma attacks.

Cages need to be leaned often and are best kept out of bedrooms and it is best to change the bedding and do the cleaning outside if possible. Likewise, litter boxes must be regularly emptied and are best moved out of living areas. Your dog and cat can also benefit from having their bedding and favorite toys washed now and then to keep allergens from accumulating there as well.

Learn about the symptoms of allergies by consulting with a qualified St. Louis MO allergist today. To make an appointment now, visit this website at http://www.stlouisallergyrelief.com/.

Learn about the symptoms of allergies by consulting with a qualified St. Louis MO allergist today. To make an appointment now, visit this website at http://www.stlouisallergyrelief.com/.

Author Bio: Learn about the symptoms of allergies by consulting with a qualified St. Louis MO allergist today. To make an appointment now, visit this website at http://www.stlouisallergyrelief.com/.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: St. Louis MO Allergist