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Living With Pet Allergies --- Reduce Allergens Of 4 Common Pets

2016/5/4 10:08:18

It is estimated that almost 70 million households in the United States have at least one warm-blooded pet. But for those who suffer with allergies, this can mean the air is bombarded with allergens that can cause chronic symptoms and more serious flare-ups. Here are suggestions for managing 4 popular household pets.

Birds---Regardless of the kind of bird you select, they will generate dust through preening, flying, and usual daily activities. They also eliminate food very quickly and can produce fecal material and urine more than 30 times each day.

It is important to line the bottom of the cage with paper, and change the paper daily to avoid growth of mold on food and excrement. Keeping the paper clean will also minimize the amount of waste that can dry and become airborne.

Powder-down birds are notorious for the amount of dust they produce. These include the Cockatoo, Cockatiel, and African Grey.

Misting your bird daily will also help wash away the excess dust and invisible dander from their skin. Some birds prefer a bowl of water that they can splash in and clean themselves. Observe their reaction and determine which method your bird likes best.

It is rare that the feathers cause allergic reactions but rather the protein in dander, urine, and saliva that is such a potent allergen. A completely cleaning of the cage once a month can kill pathogens that can cause problems for you and your bird.

Dogs---The adage that a dog is man's (woman's) best friend is borne out by the fact that there are over 78.2 million owned dogs in the United States according to the American Pet Products Association completed in 2012.

Brushing your dog regularly outdoors is one of the best ways to reduce allergens. Even though hair is not an allergen the dander (dead skin flakes), dried saliva, and urine are, and they can all become attached to your pet's hair. Taking the time on a regular basis to remove loose hair can drastically reduce the number of potential airborne allergens.

Bathing your pooch weekly can help remove additional allergens and keep skin healthy. Check with the veterinarian for product safety and best frequency for your pet.

Cats---More people are allergic to cats than most other pets. This has been attributed to their extremely potent urine. In the wild the smell is designed to ward off predators. The Fel d1 protein found in their urine, dander, and saliva continues to cause major grief for those with allergies.

Reward your cat for using the litter box and be close to fanatical about keeping it clean. Your cat's nose is keener than yours and it will be more likely to go in the box if it smells good. Keeping it clean will also prevent waste from drying and become available to cause symptoms when inhaled.

Ferrets---These funny characters are becoming increasingly popular as pets. They are smart and have shown themselves to be capable of being trained to use a litter box.

It is the ferrets' musky smell that often causes problems for those with allergies. This odor is produced by the sebaceous and scent glands and many find it really offensive.

Neutering and spaying can greatly decrease the smell. In females this procedure comes close to completely eliminating the smell, and in males it makes it much less noticeable.

Keep the cage clean by disinfecting it once a week. You can cut down on the smell by washing their bedding weekly as well.

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