Are your Allergies Kicking Up?  Try Grooming your Pet

It's sniffling, sneezing season - and it's not all due to the common cold.  

Allergies often flare at this time of year triggered by more than just pollen.  With our homes closed up tight for the colder weather, many allergy triggers come from indoors -- including mold, dust and animal dander. 

For pet owners, the problem can be aggravated by those walking dust mops that share our lives.

There is a solution:   frequent grooming can help reduce many triggers by removing not only pet dander, but other allergens that collect on the coats,   The professional groomers at Best Friends recommend the following steps if your home contains an allergy sufferer:

• Shampoo regularly.  Thoroughly cleansing your pet's hair and skin will remove dander and allergens, which help keep allergies under control.   Use only a shampoo formulated specifically for pets because animals have a different skin pH than people.
• Always use a conditioner.    It's important to follow every shampoo with a conditioning rinse or moisturizing treatment.   This step will help to keep dander down and reduce future accumulations of allergens on your pet's coat.
• Brush and comb weekly, more often for pets with long hair.   If possible, do these brushing sessions outdoors to keep dander and allergens from circulating in your home. 
• Use a conditioning spray before brushing.  It will make working through tangles more comfortable for your pet, and will also help to reduce future build-up of allergens.

If your allergies are severe, don't tackle grooming yourself since it may actually aggravate your symptoms.  Instead, set up a regular appointment with a professional groomer.  New grooming procedures can actually reduce pet shedding at home, helping to keep some allergy triggers under control.
 

What else you can do
Some other simple steps can greatly improve the allergy sufferers comfort:

• Keep everything as clean and free of dust and dander as possible.  Use a damp cloth to dust, and vacuum the floors instead of sweeping.
• Use an air purifier.  Look for ones that contain a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter.
• Keep pets out of the bedroom. Experts say that if you can breathe pure air for 8-10 hours each night, you can tolerate more exposure to allergenic substances during the day.
• Be sure your pet is getting sufficient oil in his diet. Some foods and supplements are specifically formulated to reduce dry skin and keep dander down.

For more advice on pet grooming, contact  your local Best Friends center.