Welcome back to Talking Tails!
On one of our recent days being out-and- about, our Mom was talking to someone who said she loves dogs, but she is allergic to them. We were shocked to learn that people can be allergic to sweet, loving, adorable dogs!
From what we understand, dogs produce allergens in their hair, dander, saliva, and urine. If you are allergic to these, you may experience an allergic reaction, including a runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing, skin rash, and, in extreme cases, shortness of breath and wheezing. We just want to love you and don’t mean to cause you such problems!
Obviously, the best way to manage your allergy is to avoid contact with dogs. If, however, you cannot resist having a dog, there are strategies that can help to minimize your allergic reaction.
Restricting your dog to a few rooms may reduce the amount of allergens that you are exposed to on a daily basis. Keeping your dog out of your bedroom is highly recommended. Airborne allergens can be diminished by giving your dog a weekly bath.
Using a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner on a regular basis (every few days) can decrease the level of allergens in your carpet and on your furniture. Some vacuum cleaners have special filters for removing allergens. High-energy particulate air (HEPA) cleaners purify the air and can lower allergen levels. This is a good investment for your bedroom.
Although a truly allergy-free dog breed does not exist, a few of our canine buddies are hypoallergenic. These breeds have a non-shedding coat, which produces less dander, the primary cause of most pet allergies in humans. Some of these hypoallergenic breeds include bichon fries, Chinese crested, Irish water spaniel, Italian greyhounds, labradoodles, maltese, poodles, Portuguese water dogs, schnauzers, and wheaten terriers.
We hope you find a dog that works with your allergies because we are a valuable addition to your life.
Talk to you soon!
Buster and Joey
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