Tips and tricks for living with animals when you’re allergic

Written by: Nao Mitsutomi

Being a dog and cat lover but being cursed with allergies towards them has got to be one of the saddest things ever.
I myself am allergic to dogs and cats (but don’t worry, I live with a cat so I’ve got things under control 😎), and have had my fair shares of sneezing and watery eyes when being around them. But don’t worry, there are steps you can take to making being around your furry friends more tolerable! Here are some tips and tricks, some of which I myself use, for living with furry friends when you’re allergic! 

Create a pet-free zone in your home
It’s recommended that you create a pet-free zone in your home so that you’ll have a guaranteed space where you can comfortably hang out without having to worry about allergic reactions. Often the bedroom is a good option. Yes, unfortunately, this means that you won’t be able to cuddle up with your furry companions at night, but it’s important to have a space where you can take a break from constantly being around allergens!

​​Clean, clean, clean!
Vacuuming and dusting frequently can help greatly reduce your exposure to allergens!

Get a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter.
Using vacuum cleaners and air purifiers with HEPA filters can help reduce the particles that exacerbate allergies!

Bathe your pet.
Regularly bathing your pet can reduce the allergens on your pet’s coat!

Medication
If your allergy symptoms are mild, they can be treated with over-the-counter allergy medication!

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