Reducing allergens from the dander in cats
How to live with a cat when you
are allergic to cats
MetPet.com Staff Writer
Is someone in your house sneezing and wheezing? Giving
your cat a weekly shower can reduce allergens by 44%. Giving your cat a
weekly bath can reduce them by nearly 80%. Having your cat ever talk to
you again is another question. We define a bath as immersing your cat in
warm water up to his chin, soaping him thoroughly and rinsing him thoroughly.
Although there are no cats in Antarctica, cat dander and it's
allergens show up there probably brought in on clothing and supplies.
Someone blamed the Scots and their thick wool sweaters but that was only a
rumor. In other words, there is no place on earth that is likely safe from
cat allergens!
Washing the cat is only a part
of the solution. Houses, cars, clothing, etc. that have not been near a
cat for years can still contain dander. Carpeting, bedding and clothing
have to be thoroughly cleaned at the same time for the best effect.
Some other ways to minimize the problem:
- To keep the amount of allergens to a minimum, prevent your cat
from going into areas where the sneezer spends a great deal of time such as the
bedroom or den. If that isn't possible, keep the bed covered during the
day a large sheet and remove it before bedtime.
- Invest in hard surface floors (wood, laminate, vinyl, marble,
tile, etc.) which are easier to clean than carpeting. If you must have
carpeting, consider a short pile industrial carpet instead of a shaggy one.
- Add new, high quality Hepa filters into the furnace and air
conditioning system.
- Open the windows on a nice day and let the breeze blow
through. For the most cleansing effect, create a cross-breeze by opening
windows on opposite sides of the house to suck the air through and indoor
pollutants out. Most houses are highly insulated for climate-control which
also makes them hold onto indoor pollutants.
- Invest in a new, powerful vacuum cleaner and change the bags
frequently.
- Invest in an air cleaner particularly in the bedroom.
- Replace curtains and heavy drapes with easy to clean roll up
shades, washable fabrics or wide slatted shutters or blinds.
Alternatively, cleaning curtains, drapes and fabric furniture thoroughly will
also do the trick.
- Consider allergen-reducing bed covers, mattress pads and
pillow cases that have a tight weave to prevent allergens from getting through
to you.
- Remove excess pillows, rugs, wall hangings, blankets, books and knick-knacks
from the house or place them in barrister bookcases. These bookcases,
widely available from any office supply store, have glass doors that keep dust
collection to a minimum.
Related Information:
Bathing The
Cat: Wet Baths
Minimizing Allergens in the Bedroom
|
