Q: Can I live with a pet if I have allergies?

A: It depends. Some people with allergies can live with pets - it all depends on you and your allergies. If your allergies are mild, you can reduce or eliminate your allergic reaction to pets by reducing the amount of pet allergens (dander, saliva) you come in contact with. Some reduction techniques include:

• limiting pets access in the home to rooms with hard surfaced floors, or at least keeping them out of the rooms where you sleep
• frequent (weekly) bathing of pets to reduce dander
• have a non-allergic family member brush the pet daily
• vaccum all surfaces frequently
• use an allergen-reducing topical product such as Allerpet daily
• don't keep pets outdoors (see why) - pets kept primarily indoors will actually carry less allergens and dust on them that those kept outdoors

Some people find that they have less allergies to certain pets - one cat could make you sneeze up a storm, while another may not effect you at all. Before you acquire a new pet, try to spend as much time as possible interacting closely with them to see if you have a reaction.

Related Links

rhinocortaqua.com - though this site is for a medication, this page has other good tips helping relieve your pet allergies

petallergy.com - tips and advice about coping with pet allergies. Visitors can also test their "Allergy IQ" and get information about the differences between colds and allergies.

wonderpuppy.net - stresses the cleaning aspect of allergy control, plus lots of links to even more info

BEST Training
Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA
361 S. Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105