Allergies: how to live with an animal

Pet allergies are one of the leading reasons for shelter surrenders. It is estimated that between 2 and 15% of humans are allergic to cats. Allergy symptoms can occur at any time in a person’s life and can cause a lot of discomfort such as skin and eye irritation, sneezing, fatigue and even create serious health problems such as asthma or chronic sinusitis. It is important to consult a doctor and an allergist to identify the origin of the allergies and have a treatment plan.

However, for people with milder allergies, it is possible to apply some advice to reduce your reactions to your animal.

Here are some simple steps to reduce allergy symptoms:

• Do not allow your pet to enter your room and especially not to go into your bed. If this is not possible, make sure to wash your bedding regularly.
• Wash your hands after touching your pet and avoid touching your face or eyes at all costs. This can really help you tolerate your pet.
• Rinse with warm water and soap for a shallow scratch or bite.
• Use a sticky roller to remove hair from your clothes and other fabrics in your home. Ideally, have as few fabrics as possible such as carpet, stuffed animals, comforters or cushions. These are reservoirs for hair, dust and mites!
• Vacuum with a HEPA filter as often as possible to prevent hair buildup in the home.
• Ask a family member to brush the pet regularly to avoid dead hair in the house. For a dog, regular grooming at a groomer may be beneficial.
• Use an air purifier in rooms where you spend a lot of time. The purifier is most effective in small rooms such as the bedroom or office.
• Spray the Quebec product H2zoo on your pet’s coat. It has the effect of preventing dander from ending up in the ambient air. Several customers seem to have seen a difference in their allergy symptoms by using this product, but the Proanima team has never tested it.
• Try Purina’s new Live Clear cat food that is said to reduce allergens in cats. This is the first product on the food market that offers a solution for allergies. However, we have not yet read any reviews or research on this subject.
• Finally, several people have also seen very good results following acupuncture sessions.

What about hypoallergenic pets?

If you don’t have any pets yet, it is possible to turn to a so-called hypoallergenic animal. It is important to understand that this type of animal creates fewer allergies but is not completely hypoallergenic.

In cats, certain breeds are less likely to create an allergic reaction: Russian Blue, Siberian, Devon and Cornish Rex, Abyssinian, Balinese and Sphynx.

On the dog side, it would be more the breeds whose hair is woolly or sheds very little: Poodle, Schnauzer, Bichon Frise and Maltese, Irish and Portuguese Water Dog, etc.

We know that animals occupy an important place in our lives, and that the inconvenience of allergies is sometimes less important than all the benefits that their presence brings us. Sometimes you have to give yourself time to adapt before giving up and having to part with your pet. Of course, we are not human health professionals and we strongly advise you to consult a specialist for your allergies.

Do you have any other tips to suggest to us to reduce allergies? Write to us at info@proanima.com