Tag: allerpet

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Pet Grooming to Control Allergies

If you have allergies to your pets you know it is important to keep them groomed.  Regular grooming reduces the amount of loose skin particles (dander) and hair available to be shed.  The actual allergy causing agent is a protein that is found in the saliva and urine of animals.  However, as they lick themselves and empty their bladder, this protein adheres to the skin and fur and is just ready to flake off and become airborne where you can inhale it and become sick.  So, think of pet grooming to control allergies as nothing more than controlled shedding.  You are removing the bits before they fall off on their own and stick to your belongings. You are deciding where and when the shedding will happen!

What are the proper tools and procedures for pet grooming to control allergies?  Is it different from standard pet grooming?

While grooming needs vary depending on your pets breed, at a minimum you should brush your pet at least once a week.  Not only is it good for your allergies, it is also good for your pet.  If your pet likes to be brushed (I have one cat that loves it and one that hates it), it is also a great opportunity to spend time together.  Your pets skin (like your own) is the largest organ of the body.  Regular brushing will spread oils, remove dead skin and dander, and keep fur from becoming matted.  It also stimulates the skin and makes the pet feel good (except for our one cat that hates being held).

If you aren’t sure what kind of brush to use, talk to your vet or a local groomer at one of the big box pet stores. They can direct you to the right brush for your pets fur.  Our cats get brushed with a soft bristle brush as they both have short to medium length hair that is not coarse.  I brush first with the lay of the fur and then against it. I am really gentle around the face.  I don’t brush near the eyes because they really don’t like it.  But one cat is crazy for being brushed on the cheeks and belly.

If you use Allerpet coat conditioner, this is a great time to apply it.  After you are finished brushing the animal, just rub them down with a rag moistened with the Allerpet pet allergen eliminating solution.  It will work to remove any of the bits of protein that weren’t removed by brushing.  As a bonus, it will make the pets fur very soft and shiny.   See our very own Rory, a Shiny Black Cat., after her application of Allerpet/C.  Now that is one shiny black cat!

If you are extremely sensitive to your pets, it might help to get a family member or friend to do the grooming.

Remember, grooming alone won’t stop your allergic reactions, but anything you can do to reduce your exposure to allergens will reduce your reactions. That’s a good thing for both you and your pet, and that’s nothing to sneeze at!

Til Next Time

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Allergy Control Products for Seasonal Allergy

When you think of allergy control products for seasonal allergies, the first thing that comes to mind is probably your antihistamine or your rescue inhaler.  However, with judicious use of avoidance tactics and some other allergy control products, you may reduce your dependence on these medications.

Now, no one is advocating that you toss your prescription medications in the trash or tossing out your inhaler. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any changes in your allergy control program before you make them.

That being said, wouldn’t it be great to make it through the season without that darned ragweed ruining everything?  So here are a few things you can do that won’t cost a dime.  First, start visiting Pollen.Com on a regular basis to get your pollen forecast. They even have a mobile app for your smart phone! Plan your outdoor activities according to when pollen counts are expected to be low.  Also, on those beautiful clear windy days, stay indoors and keep the doors and windows shut.  Those are the prime times for pollens to be released.  The opposite is true.  Rainy and damp days are the best to be outside and right after a rain shower, airborne pollens will be at their lowest levels.

When it comes to allergy control products, if you are allergic to pollen, a mask is your best line of defense. If your job or personal activities require you to be outside during high pollen counts, protect yourself by wearing a mask.  The Q-Mask is a perfect lightweight mask for protecting against pollen and it can be washed and used again and again.

The same indoor/outdoor rules go for your pet.  Pets can carry loads of pollen on their fur and when they come inside, they spread it all about the house. This turns your pollen-free home into the great outdoors!  If your pet must be outside on those high pollen count days, then groom them with Allerpet as soon as they come inside.  The same solution that works to break down pet allergen works on pollen as well.

 

Speaking of pollen removal, when you come inside, change your clothes and wash your hair. That will get the pollen off of you.  Don’t change clothes in the bedroom!  That will just spread the pollen over the place in which you are going to sleep for 6 to 8 hours. Bad idea!

If you have a HEPA air cleaner like an Austin Air or an Alen Air, be sure that you keep them running.  By following these simple tips you may have a more comfortable seasonal allergy season.

Til Next Time!

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