How to Keep Pet Dander From Interfering With Your Home Life
We love our pets, but sometimes they can bring on some unexpected stress for us: pet allergies. Keeping your house up to par when it comes to eliminating allergens can be tricky, especially for pet owners who have dogs that shed a lot. As spring cleaning starts to creep into our minds, we decided to dive into the world of pet allergens to help our pet parents out with understanding what they are and how to keep them from interfering with a clean house year round.
The common belief with pet allergies is that they are caused by pet hair, but most allergens are found in a pet’s dander. This is typically why pet allergens are problematic because of its small size and ability to linger in the air for a long time. Since our pets with fur undergo wardrobe changes with the different seasons, many thick-coated pets shed heavily and release their under-layer fur, which releases dander into the air. If you have a dog that sheds a lot year round, dander has a way of getting in the carpets and on surfaces all the time.
As many as 20% of people worldwide are allergic to pet dander and for some this isn’t a big deal. They may get a little sneezy around dogs but it’s nothing that a tissue can’t fix. For others, pet allergies can be a real problem and can cause asthma attacks, sinus infections and some of these other symptoms:
Coughing
Chest tightness
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Watery, red or itchy eyes
Skin rash or hives
Some pet parents might be wondering about their hypoallergenic dogs, but the truth is that the term ‘hypoallergenic’ has been commonly misconstrued as meaning these dogs are guaranteed to be safe for those with pet allergies. ‘Hypoallergenic dogs’ is a term that is used to describe dogs that either produce less allergens than other dogs or don’t shed as frequently. There may not be a breed that is 100% hypoallergenic, but there are breeds that are less likely to stimulate allergies in people. These breeds produce less dander and saliva than others, making them possibly a better option for those with pet allergies:
Bichon Frise
Afghan Hound
Schnauzer
Poodle
Chinese Crested
Maltese
American Hairless Terrier
Irish Water Spaniel
Yorkshire Terrier
Bedlington Terrier
Shih Tzu
Wheaten Terrier
Portuguese Water Dog
These breeds should shed less than most other breeds, which can help out their owners and family members from sneezing as much since the dander and saliva remain on the hair that stays in the hair follicle. So less shedding equals less allergens roaming in the house. But not all dogs are built the same, so the breeds that shed more than others may need some extra help when it comes to clearing pet allergens and dander in the house.
Clean your home frequently, especially where your pets spend the most of their time. It can be a daunting task, but if you can get into a routine and clean on a daily basis you can minimize how much dander is around your house. Bedding, clothing, rugs, dog beds, carpets and any fabric surfaces are must clean spots, especially if your dog is allowed to snuggle in bed with you or have their roam of the couch. Regular vacuuming is also one of the most important ways to reduce pet dander, although some people have found that their allergies are reduced when they change from carpet to hardwood floors since dander easily embeds itself on carpet fibers and hardwood floors are easier to keep cleaner.
Have pet free zones in your house. This may be a hard one for some people, but if you have some family members that are really bad with dander this could be a game changer. Keeping your pet away from some rooms can greatly reduce the allergen presence, especially if you want to make your bedroom a pet free zone. This will keep dander off of your sheets and away from embedding itself in your carpet fibers. If you do choose to share your bedroom with your pup, make sure to clean your sheets often to minimize allergens.
Let fresh air inside and circulate your air. This can be a tricky one in the colder months, but maintaining some fresh air throughout your home is an easy way to help remove pet dander from around the house. Open windows, run a fan or turn on the air conditioner to create an exit for the allergens. Make sure your HVAC filter is replaced regularly and consider using filters that are specifically designed for allergies. You could also invest in an air purifier. They not only reduce pet allergens but can also help reduce other allergens that don’t come from your pet.
Bathing and brushing should happen weekly. Brushing is something that might have to happen daily depending on how furry your pet is, but bathing your pet weekly can help eliminate dander and let it go to a more suitable place like down the drain. Brushing can release lots of dander into the air, so if possible you may want to look at brushing your pet outside so less dander is released in the home.
Pet dander will always be part of having a pet, but understanding where it comes from and how to help handle it can make a pet owner's life a little easier. Sticking to cleaning routines can have a huge impact on pet allergens around the house and can be the difference between sneezing all the time and sneezing once in a while. Dander doesn’t have to be a large part of your life with a pet if we can take the time to care for our surroundings and give our pets the proper care and grooming they need.
Dander may be part of your daily life but there is something that should be an even larger part of your life - daily dog walks for your dog! Less frigid temps and more warmth from the sun is on its way and there is no better time to get your dog out and about than now. Let a local daily dog walker help you out, like Going Mutts Pet Services. We do walks, potty breaks, playtime and always have time for extra belly rubs during our visits. To customize your pet’s exercise routine, drop us an email at info@goingmuttspetservices.com or contact us on our website!
Sources:
https://www.trusens.com/news/blog/pet-dander-solution/
https://filterbuy.com/resources/how-to-guides-and-hvac-maintenance/getting-rid-of-pet-dander/
https://ecologyworks.com/blogs/blog/how-do-you-neutralize-pet-dander
https://neatorobotics.com/blogs/all/7-tips-for-reducing-pet-dander-in-the-home
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/hypoallergenic-dog-breeds-is-there-such-a-thing
