Having a dog as a pet can be a very rewarding and joyful experience. Dogs really are man’s best friend. They can provide you with companionship when you need it most. Unfortunately, many people are allergic to dogs. The severity of a dog allergy can vary. Some people experience full-blown symptoms like a runny nose, itchy eyes, hives, eczema, and shortness of breath. Other people may just experience symptoms here and there. Just because you have a dog allergy, doesn’t mean you can’t have a dog or be around them. Here are some tips that you can use to minimize your symptoms.

Regular Cleaning

Most people are allergic to the dander of the dog, the fur of the dog or the saliva. All three of these things can be found around the house when you have a dog. In order to decrease symptoms, you’ll want to clean frequently. A good vacuum can suck up fur and dander, preventing it from being blown back out into the air. You should be vacuuming once every few days. Wiping down surfaces and floors can make a big difference as well. Weekly cleaning is beneficial.

Minimize the Green

It’s important that you avoid all allergenic substances if you are allergic to dogs. Getting flared up from something else will only cause your dog allergy to be worse. Clean your home, keep your dog clean, keep their fur groomed, and you can run an air purifier with good quality air filters to reduce particulates in your indoor air. Outdoor allergies can be an issue as well. Grass pollen, tree pollen, and weed pollen can make you feel lousy. There are a number of benefits to artificial grass, with its hypoallergenic nature at the top of the list.

Keep Dogs Out of the Bedroom

A lot of people find that their symptoms become unbearable when they have their pet in bed with them at night. It’s a good idea to have a separate spot in the home where your dog can sleep. Keep your bedroom door closed during the day to prevent your pet from going in there.  

Don’t be discouraged if you find out that you have an allergy to dogs. If you regularly groom your pet, keep them away from pollen, and keep them out of your bedroom, you can still coexist happily together. You’ll just have to put a bit of effort into managing your symptoms. Thanks to these helpful tips, you can still keep your furry best friend around.