So, you’ve started sneezing and wheezing and think it’s the pet’s fault? Well, you might be right. But you might not be. And if you really are allergic to pets, there are strategies to help you peacefully co-exist.
Step 1: Get Tested
Allergic reactions can come from all sorts of sources: plants, dust, animals, foods, etc. So before jumping to the conclusion that you’re allergic to certain animals, be sure to visit a doctor who can correctly diagnose your allergies. You may even be surprised by the outcome. For example, you might think it’s your dog that’s triggering your allergies only to find out that it’s a certain kind of pollen that collects on its fur in the backyard. You’ll only know once you get tested.
Step 2: Adjust your environment
If it turns out that you are allergic to pets you already live with, there are steps you can take to minimize the allergens that bother you.
- As sad as it may be, you may want to stop allowing your pet to enter your bedroom. Give it a good, deep clean, then keep the door shut all the time. This way, that room remains an allergen-free zone.
- Add HEPA air filters throughout your home to keep the air as clean as possible.
- Replace more permeable furnishings (cloth curtains/blinds, carpeting, etc.) with items that won’t be as likely to attract and hold onto fur and dander.
- Clean or wash fabric items often: rugs, bedding, couches, clothes, towels, pillows, etc.
- Give pets a weekly bath to wash away the allergy-causing dander. While it’s not common or usually necessary to bathe cats, you can teach your cats to get used to it if you know how to do it correctly. You may want to consult your vet on safe practices and products for bathing your cat.
Step 3: Get treated
If you have a relatively minor allergy, you can probably treat it effectively with immunotherapy including allergy shots, nasal sprays, or pills. Be sure to choose a doctor who understands and respects that you want to do whatever you can to continue living with your pet.
If you suspect a pet allergy before adopting a pet, it’s smart to see a doctor who can help with a specific diagnosis. Every allergy is different, so you may not react poorly to certain kinds of pets or breeds. And this can help you choose the right pet for you.
The good news is that a combination of the steps above can often help you live with your pet without much of a problem. If you’ve tried everything and nothing is helping the situation, you could find yourself considering rehoming your pet as a last resort. If that’s the case, it’s critical to do your due diligence in rehoming responsibly so that you can ensure your pet will have a safe and happy life with a new family.
