Did you know that over 70 percent of households in the United States share their lives and living space with pet dogs and cats? Yes, this is a fact and this report is to help those who love their pets and desire to live with them as comfortably, happily and allergy free as possible!
First you need to know that it's not your pet's fur, dander or hair that is the real problem. The real culprits are tiny proteins that are secreted by glands in your dog or cat. The allergen protein is found in the fur, saliva, urine, mucous, salivary glands and hair roots. This protein will stick to your pet's fur and dander Dead Skin but know that the fur and dander itself is not what you're reacting to.
Cat Dog Pet
For cats the protein is called the Fel D1 Glycoprotein,
For Dogs it's called Can F1 Protein
These proteins are very potent and can quickly cause an allergic reaction for those that are sensitive to them. They are also very sticky and quick to stick to your clothing furniture, bedding and carpeting in your home or office environment. Unfortunately these proteins are not sticky enough to prevent them from going airborne into the indoor breathing environment when disturbed. Cat allergen is often stronger then dog allergen and more people react to cats. Dog allergen can also be very strong but reactions from dog dander vary from breed to breed.
The good news is there are steps that can be taken important steps to allow you or your allergic family members to limit and control the pet allergen so you can live in harmony with your beloved dog or cat! If you are diligent and follow these guidelines it can make a huge difference for those that suffer from dog and cat allergies.
The Steps to follow
First and foremost, KEEP YOUR HOME CLEAN!
Be diligent about cleaning hard services, carpeting and furniture of dust and allergens. Use a damp cloth or micro fiber cloth to clean hard surfaces and Vacuum Often! NOTE: It is very important to own and utilize a quality HEPA vacuum cleaner that is totally sealed! Most vacuum cleaners including so-called HEPA and HEPA type vacuum cleaners leak air and allergens from their case even if the HEPA filter is sealed in the machine. If you have a dog or cat many of the allergens that escape from an unsealed vacuum cleaner will be from your pets! If you would like to test your vacuum cleaner for leakage it's easy to do. Just place your vacuum cleaner into the beam of light that shines through your window and turn on your vacuum cleaner.
Don't even clean with it. If your vacuum cleaner is not sealed and most are not you will see thousands of particles including pet allergen spewing from your vacuum cleaner and back into the air that you breath! We have found that the Air Storm HEPA vacuum cleaner to be the best on the market. It's sealed like a drum and no pet dander will escape from it. NONE! The Air Storm HEPA vacuum cleaner is also made in the USA, it's lightweight and easy to operate. I'm going to say this again because it's very important. Vacuum Often!!!
The next step is to have quality HEPA room air cleaners or HEPA air purifiers in any room that you spend time in. HEPA room air cleaners are very important in the fight to remove airborne pet allergen, other allergens and dust from your living space. A quality HEPA air cleaner or air purifier should be able to clean pet allergen and other airborne allergens in an open room or area up to approximately 1000 square feet or be able to exchange the air through the HEPA air cleaner or air purifier to clean an average bedroom sized area approximately 12-15 times per hour. It is also important to choose HEPA air cleaners or air purifiers that have low filter replacement costs.
Stay away from so-called air cleaners and air purifiers that do not have HEPA filters in them to actually remove the pet allergens and other allergens from the air. Also stay away from ionizers that will drop floating allergens from the air and onto your furniture, carpet and onto your bed while you are sleeping. Ionizers do not filter the air and are not the answer for pet dander problems. We have found these brands of HEPA air cleaners and HEPA air purifiers to do the best job. The Austin Air Healthmate HM-400 HEPA air cleaner, The TRACS HEPA air purifier and the EZ Air HEPA air cleaner.
If you have ducted central air or heating, it is a good idea to utilize a quality self-charging electrostatic air filter for your system. These air filters are custom made to size, washable, approximately 90 percent efficient and will last for years and years. A proper air duct cleaning company can often remove many pounds of pet allergen, dust and other allergens from your ducted central air or heating system. To find a quality and knowledgeable air duct cleaning company go to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association website in Washington DC.
OK this one may be difficult for you to do but it is VERY IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS keep your pets out of your bedroom. This will allow you to keep the most important room in your home more pet allergen free to allow you to sleep better at night. You can call your bedroom "The Allergy Free Zone!"
Other Important Things To Do
If you can, replace your carpet with tile, linoleum or hard wood floors and instead of sweeping it puts the allergens airborne again use a quality SEALED HEPA vacuum cleaner with a floor nozzle to contain and remove the allergens. Again, check out the Air Storm HEPA vacuum cleaner. It has a great 14-inch wide floor nozzle and no pet allergen escapes from this incredible vacuum cleaner. Replace cloth curtains with washable / vacuum able blinds.
Wash your dog or cat once a week to reduce the protein allergen sticking to their fur. Once a week can really make a difference and YES Cats will get used to their weekly bath and even enjoy them in time.
If you are highly allergic, don't wipe your eyes with your hands while playing with your pets. Then wash your hands after playing with your pets, and wash your clothes often. Don't leave your pet allergen covered clothes in your bedroom! Keep a hamper in a hallway bathroom.
Cover your car seats and porous fabric furniture with sheets that can be washed and when you are able too, switch to wipe able / cleanable leather or faux leather furniture.
There are companies that offer chemical sprays that claim to reduce, retard or remove pet allergens. We have determined that diligent cleaning using our provided information will do the best job of keeping you and your pets together as one big happy family!
However if you can't comply with these important steps to keep your home more pet allergen free you can always make that visit to your local allergy doctor for prescription nose sprays, antihistamine pills and immunotherapy allergy shots The allergy shots can improve your pet allergy symptoms but they often do not eliminate them entirely.
Your allergy doctor will most likely tell you to get rid of your pets Yeah Right! or when you do keep your pets your allergy doctor will tell you to follow the above information even if you do get the sprays, drugs and allergy shots.
Here is a list of dogs that are said to be less reactive to people with pet allergies
Airedale, Basenji, Bedlington terrier, Bichon frise, Chinese crested Irish water spaniel, Italian greyhound, Kerry blue terrier, Maltese Poodle, Portuguese water dog, Schnauzers, Shih tzu, Soft-coated Wheaten terrier, Tibetan terrier, Tibetan mastiff, Wire-haired fox terrier, Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican hairless), Bonus Information For Cat Lovers!
Pet Allergy Information - How to Live With Your Cat Or Dog
There is an amazing company called Allerca that has scientifically developed a breed of cats that are hypoallergenic! They are very expensive but this company is for real. Ask for Simon.
It is our hope and desire that you will follow our steps and the above information. We would like you to be able to keep your wonderful pets so you can enjoy their company and love for the many years to come!
If you require more help or additional information on controlling dog and cat allergies, please see our website at http://www.aircleaners.com or call Barry Cohen the owner direct for free personal help and guidance. Call Toll Free 1-888-578-7324
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Cleaning The Air You Live With For Smoke, Dust, Allergy And Asthma Control.