Three Tips for Combating Cat Allergens in Your Home


As loving cat owners agree, nothing beats having a furry friend at home. Tension relief, stress reduction, and companionship are significant benefits that pets provide. However, that furry face you look forward to seeing at the end of the day can also cause problems. Animals can exacerbate Las Vegas allergies, among others in your home, even if they don’t affect you. What most people don’t realize is that animal fur is not the main problem. The problem primarily lies with a protein found in your pet’s dander and saliva. You may not realize how dirty your house has become until a visitor arrives. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to clean up your house when you have cats.

Wash Your Pet

Since an animal’s skin and saliva can trigger an allergic reaction, one of the best ways to solve the problem of pet-induced allergies is by keeping your pet clean. Experts recommend washing your cat or dog at least once each week to curtail allergens. Your veterinarian can recommend a shampoo if you’re not sure what kind to get. If your cat doesn’t like to be washed, or if you don’t have the time to clean your cat, consider a professional groomer. If you hire a groomer, be sure to ask him or her to wash your cat’s face and ears in addition to the rest of the body. In between weekly washings you can use a hypo-allergenic wipe on your pet to remove allergens.

Use a Filter

A plug-in air filter combats tiny allergy-producing particles in the air. Filters can be placed throughout the house for better air quality control. Once filters were a more costly means of keeping the air in your home clean. Now, filters are more affordable and, therefore, a practical option if you’re looking to eliminate cat dander from your home. At a minimum, filters should be placed in your home’s guest bedroom and in common areas where everyone likes to spend time. For optimal effect, you should start running them several days in advance before visitors arrive.

Do a Thorough Cleaning

One of the most effective ways to prevent cat dander from spreading around the house is to clean every crack and crevice in your site where dander can quickly start to accumulate. One of the simplest but most effective ways to eliminate dander, therefore, is to clean your house thoroughly. That includes dusting all surfaces (ceilings, walls, baseboards, and solid furniture), then wiping down the area with a rag and all-purpose cleaner. Be sure to get all the nooks and crannies.

If you or a family member are suffering from pet allergies, it’s time to get the situation under control. Just contact Dr. Tottori, a pediatric immunologist Las Vegas and an acclaimed allergist committed to making patients feel better. Call (702) 240 4233 or visit www.tottoriallergy.com today to make an appointment for yourself or a family member.