Studies show that 15 percent of the population is allergic to dander, the microscopic proteins secreted by an animal’s skin that linger in a pet’s fur and float in the air. If an important person in your life is dog-allergic, don’t give up on the family pooch - try these simple house- and dog-keeping tips to ease the allergic person’s discomfort.
Brush and comb Fido often, and wash his coat every few days with TheraNeem Pet Shampoo, adding a few drops of pure TheraNeem oil while working up a lather. The shampoo’s soap-free formula is safe for frequent use, as it won’t dry out a dog’s skin. The extra boost of this emollient oil will ensure that a dog’s scalp and coat stay moisturized, so less dander and shedded hair will be released into your environment.
Think about it: just as a dried-up Christmas tree drops its needles, dry skin sheds particles and hairs. You can "moisturize" your dog from within by adding a few drops of olive or flaxseed oil to his kibble – this too will help cut down on irritating dander and shedded hairs.
If the air is dry, pets’ skin will release more dander, so keep the atmosphere moist with a humidifier, or set up a homespun version by filling a small cast-iron pot with water and setting it atop the radiator or stove top to create steam.
Dust traps allergens, so clean your home often to eliminate dust. Use a high-tech vacuum cleaner such as the Dyson, designed to pick up pet particles, or the Halo, which goes after dust mites with a built-in Ultraviolet light. Invest in a HEPA air filter to help minimize airborne allergens.
Eliminate wall-to-wall carpeting and area rugs, which trap allergens and are tough to keep clean; opt instead for bare wood, tile, or vinyl floors, and swab them regularly. Apartment-dwellers who must cover the floor for soundproofing purposes should investigate modular carpet tiles by InterFaceFLOR. They’re a cinch to keep clean if someone has an accident – simply lift up the affected tile(s) and wash them. If that doesn’t work, the tiles are inexpensive enough to replace.
Windows are magnets for indoor and outdoor allergens, so avoid fabric draperies, which attract and hold those allergens, in favor of wipeable shades and blinds. Better yet, dress windows with inexpensive, pleated-paper temporary blinds. Available at paint and hardware stores, these are attractive enough for any room in the home, simple to install (just peel and stick), and so inexpensive (about $8 each) that you can simply toss and replace them whenever they get dirty.
Be strict about keeping the dog out of the allergy sufferer’s bedroom at all times - close the door. The person with allergies should peel off all clothing before entering the bedroom, so allergens aren’t tracked in (and while you’re at it, substitute fiberfill pillows for feather ones, which aggravate allergies).
Finally, try the homeopathic remedy Apis mellifica, available over-the-counter at your neighborhood health food or Whole Foods store.
