When a member of the family develops allergies to dogs their doctor most often recommends the following measures:
- Containment of the dog – preferably by keeping the dog outside at all times
- Bathing and brushing the dog often (sometimes too often!)
- Removing carpets and replacing furnishings with fabrics (such as sofas) for non-fabric ones
- Preventing the pet from sleeping with the allergic individual
- Installing efficient air purifiers with a HEPA filter
- Giving the dog away
While the recommendations above might be necessary in decreasing an allergic reaction on the
allergic patient, some of these recommendations by your MD do NOT take into consideration the negative impact on the pet!
Before you confine your dog to living outdoors, please consider the following options:
- Segregating the dog to certain parts of the home. So the dog will live inside and be a full-member of the family but will not be permitted in the bedroom of the person suffering from allergies.
- Bath your dog twice a month and brush him daily, if at all possible. If you are able to brush your dog with regularity you can contain most of the hair and dander that can be left behind and cause the allergic reaction.
- Vacuum as often as possible to remove any possible allergens.
- Purchase good quality air purifiers with a HEPA filter that can be placed in areas where the dog will be permitted.
- Use a hypo- allergenic cover for your pillow
- Wash your pet’s bedding in hot water twice a week
If the efforts above fail to give relief from pet allergies consider co-owning your pup. Perhaps he can live in a friend’s home for part of the week or with a family member while you get to visit him and still keep him as your pet. Social isolation is a well-fare issue for most dogs.
Please consider all possible alternatives so that your dog does not relegate to long and on-going hours with no human social interaction.