How do I reduce pet dander in my home?

Question

My father is currently dating a woman who has severe allergies to many various things. This includes the family dog, Molly. It is currently not an option to get rid of the dog, so we need to find some ways to majorly redcue the pet dander in order to make his girlfriend more comfortable. Please help!

Answer 1

Controlling pet dander allergies
Before making your pet the scapegoat for a family member's allergy, make sure that it is truly so. The best way to tell if the allergy is indeed present is to remove the allergic person from the pet's environment for a week or two, and see if their allergies improve. You may also wish to consult your allergist.

If a pet allergy has been confirmed, the best method of controlling it is avoidance. Sometimes, the best solution may be to find the pet another home. However, you must remember that pet allergen may remain in your home for up to six months.

If the family is unwilling to remove the pet, you can follow these hints to reduce pet allergen exposure:

The pet should at least be kept out of the patient's bedroom and, if possible, outdoors. Indoor pets should be restricted to as few rooms in the home as possible.
Allergic individuals should not pet, hug or kiss their pets because of the allergens on the animal's fur or saliva.
Keep pets off furniture, especially upholstered furniture where animal dander can be transferred.
Litter boxes should be placed in an area unconnected to the air supply for the rest of the home, and should be avoided by allergic individuals.
Always wear a protective mask and gloves when grooming your pet.
Remove clothing worn after grooming or playing with pets. Keep the clothing, now full of animal dander, out of the bedroom. Wash clothing with Allergen Wash.
Always wash your face, hands and arms after grooming or playing with pets to remove animal dander.
Try Allerpet Solutions on your pet to notice a difference in your pet dander allergy.
Nothing beats a bath for your pet, especially if using Allersearch Pet Shampoo. Cats that are bathed from a young age tend not to mind being washed.
Another great product is Allersearch Anti-Allergen Dust Spray. This non-toxic formula helps reduce many of the common allergens found in the home.
Air currents from forced-air heating and air-conditioning will spread the allergens throughout the house. Homes with forced-air heating and/or air-conditioning may be fitted with a central air cleaner, or a room air purifier can be used at least four hours per day.
Use HEPA vacuum cleaners or high efficiency vacuum cleaner bags. These dramatically reduced the amount of dust, allergen and pollens pumped back into the air by the vacuum cleaner.
On a similar note, those allergic to birds should not use feather pillows or down comforters. If a feather pillow is used, it should be encased in a protective cover, so none of the feathers can escape.

Answer 2

Some good tips for removing dog and cat dander from the air are:

1. Keep pets out of the bedroom
2. Use a portable HEPA air filter
3. Use a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner
4. Bathe/wipe down pets on a regular basis
5. Wash hands after touching pet
6. Do not have hamsters or mice as pets
7. Replace carpeting with hardwood flooring
8. Wash bedding on a regular basis

Answer 3

Has she met the dog? Dog allergies are breed specific. She may not have a problem.

Constant cleaning. The dander cn be as small as a flake of skin, it will be in the furniture, the carpet, the blind, curtains, on the top of cieling fans, in the dust- everywhere.

I would start limiting your dogs access to certain rooms. Try to keep him out of the main room that she will be frequenting. It is easier to get dander off of tile or wood rather then trying to remove it from carpet. If you have a large tiled kitchen you may want to keep him there.

Give the dog frequent- at least once a week- baths. If it is a shedding breed take it outside and brush it everyday.

If you can afford it- get your capets extracted by a professional company.

Do your best at cleaning furniture, beat the be-gesus out of it. Vacuum it- anything you can.

Change all the air filters in the house.

That is a tough break. I live with allergies and my mother is an allergist. There are lots of things she can do as well, but it may not be your place to suggest them. Simply taking meds before she comes over would help. There are lots of lifestyle changes she could make- she would need to discuss those with an allergist.

Answer 4

In all honesty the only way is to get ride of the family dog. I had lung surgery three months ago. I had a dog. I was told when I came home that the pet had to be gone and the house aired out. Because it would be bad for my lungs, and pet dander is impossible to get rid of. The window were open and the smell was so bad. I had all my furniture cleaned, I have hard wood floors. Could not get the smell out of furniture. I had to spay with my mother for 3 weeks. I am a very neat person, I just did not notice the dog smell until I had been away from it.

Answer 5

She probably really isn't allergic to your dog. That's usually cats, their saliva is what does it. Anyway if she truly is than vacuum the crap out of your home and give your dogs a bath with aloe shampoo (for dogs) and also rub in baby oil.I have a lab and it really slows the hair from falling out.thus less dander.

Answer 6

-vaccum, everything, everyday (including the dog)
-brush the dog a lot (outside)
-let the dog stay outside more often
-make certain rooms of the house rooms off limits to the dog so the woman can at least have a few rooms she can sit in comfortably
-tell her to take clairatin before she comes over
-depending on what type of dog it is, you can take it to a groomer and ask for advice...maybe get it a super short hair cut so you can bathe/brush her easier and more effectively
Good Luck

Answer 7

Brush your dog more often, so that the dander doesn't get on the furniture in the first place. If that doesn't work, tell the girlfriend to deal with it.

Answer 8

bye bye animals?? If there's a pet, there's dander...... remove all carpetting, and clothed furnature. . . bathe animal once weekly..... It's a not of work. Unfortunately, my allergies forced me to find a new home for my animals

Answer 9

I would brush her outside, Dust every thing, Fans, air filters etc, I would also try opening all th windows, and the house air out. Vacuum once everyday. I hope this helps

Answer 10

put pil in the dogs food. It is a combination of spices really. It helps dandruff, and helps the dogs fur coat.