Hypoallergenic Dog Management Tips

Hypoallergenic Dog Management Tips ? Hypoallergenic dog breeds are breeds that may produce less of an allergic reaction in people who suffer from dog allergies. There are a few main causes of ...

Hypoallergenic Dog Management Tips

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Hypoallergenic dog breeds are breeds that may produce less of an allergic reaction in people who suffer from dog allergies. There are a few main causes of allergic reactions but the one most people think of梔og hair梚s actually not one of them. Hair, however, does seem to enhance allergic reactions for people, but the main cause is from dander produced by the dog抯 skin.

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When you are looking for a hypoallergenic dog, Jared Lansky feels it is important to run tests with several dogs from the same breed (that you are looking to get). This is because allergic reactions to dogs within the same breed often vary from dog to dog. Low-shedding breeds with a single coat have shown to induce less allergic reactions than hairier, heavy-coated dogs, simply because less dander is produced. The same goes for smaller dogs; they are a safer bet for people allergic to dogs because the amount of dander available on their body is much less than that of a bigger dog. After you have picked out your dog it is important to take good care of it so as to keep the risk of having an allergic reaction down.

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An everyday thing to do with your new dog is to brush it or comb it daily, and to do it outdoors if you can. This will keep most of the dander off of your dog and doing it outside makes it less likely that you run into it later (like in your living room).

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Along with brushing your dog you want to make sure you bathe it frequently. This removes allergens such as dander and saliva and reduces shedding. There is even anti-allergen pet shampoo on the market to help prevent your dog抯 skin from drying out. You should also wash your dog抯 bed, cushion, blanket, etc. two or three times a week for the same reason.

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Again, since the dog抯 skin is the dander-producer, it is wise to give your dog a multivitamin and a fatty acid supplement to keep its skin healthy.

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To be safe you should not allow your dog on furniture that you use often. This is why it should have a blanket or cushion that it can lie on and that you can wash easily. Also, because a dog抯 saliva can also induce allergic reactions you should train your dog not to lick you.

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One of the biggest and best things you can do is to just vacuum frequently, preferably using a vacuum with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This filter helps reduce dust and allergens by trapping small particles and re-releasing dirty air.

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Although it may take a little extra effort to stay allergen-free, the reward of owning a loving dog is well worth it, says Jared Lansky. A hypoallergenic dog is still a dog. They don抰 call it 搈an抯 best friend?for nothing.