5 Tips for Ridding Your Home of Pet Dander

You love your pet, but you have allergies. Can you create a peaceful co-existence? Perhaps you take allergy medication to control your allergies. However, having a pet can aggravate them. You’re not giving up your four-legged loved one, though.

Our board-certified allergists with Advanced Allergy & Asthma can help you navigate life with a pet when you have allergies. The following are five strategies to minimize pet dander in your home. 

Establish a regular cleaning routine for your home 

Dusting and vacuuming your home regularly helps mitigate pet dander. Always use a HEPA filter on your vacuum. If your dog sheds noticeably, you may need to vacuum daily.  Don’t forget to vacuum your upholstery and curtains with the appropriate vacuum attachments. 

Use a damp microfiber cloth to trap dust instead of spreading it around with a dry cloth. Wash your pet’s belongings each week using hot water: bedding, toys, and blankets. 

Bathe your pet regularly

Bathe your dog based on their breed and coat type. Brushing your dog’s coat every day helps remove dander before it starts floating in the air in your home.

You don’t want to bathe your pet so much that you destroy the natural oils their body needs. Spot-clean your furry friend with doggy wipes. Wipe your dog’s paws when coming in from outside.

Pay attention to filters and consider purifiers

It’s easy to forget to change your HVAC filters. Make changing the filters a recurrent event on your calendar. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. During very cold or hot weather, you may need to change them more frequently.

Consider an air purifier. Use HEPA filters to trap airborne dander. 

Reduce dander-trapping materials in your home

Drapes, carpets, and rugs all trap dander. Your pet’s dead skin cells can burrow into both carpet and padding. Soft cloth pillows and upholstery also hold dander.

Consider replacing drapes with shutters, shades, or easy-to-clean blinds. Flooring rather than carpet gives your home a modern look and reduces dust and allergens. Leather or pleather upholstery won’t trap dander as cloth upholstery does. 

Consider pet-free zones in your home

If you have allergies, it’s best to keep your furry friend outside of your bedroom. You need a good night’s sleep, and minimizing allergens helps. 

Call Advanced Allergy & Asthma or request an appointment through our online portal today. We help keep your allergies under control. You can have a good quality of life with your furry loved one when you have allergies.