Easy Tips for Living with Pet Allergies

We have discovered in the seven years we have been doing cat rescue two things are for sure: more adoptions occur in the summer and more people "dump" their animals at various shelters during the summer- with the number one reason being cited as the reason for owner surrender as pet allergies.

"They make a pill for that now, don't they?" is one of my favorite quotes, and it is from an allergy pill commercial. The advertisement with the mother- in- law with the cats all over the kitchen. That commercial always brings about a chuckle.

I know how she feels. I am allergic to cats... and I am in cat rescue. Thank goodness for Zyrtec and how it is now over the counter.

However, for some, allergy medication alone is not enough to decrease one's reaction to pet dander. What to do?

Easy tips for living with pet allergies- think naked

Aim for a fur-less floor. Pull up carpet as dander can remain trapped beneath the carpet. Hard surface floors such as hardwood or tile are easiest to clean if you have pets that shed. We rescue persians... guess what... they shed a lot. We pulled up our carpet and were thankful to discover concrete underneath. A little stain later and we have great looking easy to care for floors. A friend of ours, who also does rescue, recently had bamboo flooring installed in her home... with a little water based finish, she is assured her floors will last forever. (I am not so sure about forever, but for at least 15+ years!)

Easy tips for living with pet allergies- think bold

Decorate with different style prints, not solely solid prints. Consider stripes, paisley, tweed or even be tongue in cheek and use animal print. Not only will the prints hide cat hair, from guests, not from you, but it will wow up your home. We defur our furniture twice weekly... there are some many new gadgets out there to help with this endeavor. I still prefer a damp sponge. Less fur, less dander. Easier breathing.

Easy tips for living with pet allergies- be a Merry Maid

Dust weekly, not as needed. Animal hair can be anywhere. Especially around lamp shades. Regularly wipe them down. Close off any unused air vents. (We use them all, so all of ours are open, but you might have an extra room which only gets minimal use.) They say go bagless, using a HEPA vacuum filter... however, we love and will remain with our Oreck.

Easy tips for living with pet allergies- cleanliness is next to....

I told my friend who is highly allergic to cats to bathe her cat (named Lucky Dog... as she was one lucky dog for my friend rescuing her) every ten days as not to dry out her coat. She told me... bluntly, that she bathed her cat weekly with Paul Mitchell pet shampoo and Lucky had better a coat than most people have hair. Okay then. It worked.

Easy tips for living with pet allergies- Everything comes out in the wash

We love slipcovers. We love all things washable. Blankets, sheets, pet beds, pillow covers all are washed on a regular basis. And we have a Duncan Phyfe sofa! Another friend recently purchased new living room furniture. She is owned by several Maine Coons kitties: her solution... microfiber. She has discovered it is easy to care for and easy to clean. She also suggests micro suede or ultra suede as safe for animal homes.

Love yourself, love your pet. Make your home easier to live in- for both of you.