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Archive for the ‘Pet Allergies’

Animal Lovers and Pet Allergies

June 01, 2007 By: Hazy Category: Pet Allergies No Comments →

Pet allergies can be pretty tough on you but they are even harder when you are actually an animal lover. I’ve mentioned my sister and her cat Topaz before. He recently passed on and even though she is allergic to cats she went out and bought 2 new cats. Pet allergies can be managed which is why she has chosen love over convenience.

Animal lovers worldwide shudder to think of themselves being unable to care for and play with their favorite pets, yet this happens to many people each year. Pet allergies cause many would-be pet owners to turn away from buying that cherished pet because of fear of the uncomfortable allergic reactions they have to pets. While some people are extremely allergic to pets of any kind, most people are only allergic to one variety of pets, and that is most commonly the cat. Still, pet allergies can be debilitating if one hasn’t figured out the cause. They may compound the problem by continuing to keep their animals indoors. There is help for those who want to have pets and who deal with allergies too. Steps can be taken to reduce the allergy symptoms associated with your pet.

Pet Allergies and Reduced Exposure

The first helpful tip for those who have pet allergies but want to own a pet or keep the ones they have is to possibly move the animal from the indoors to the outdoors. Many people have been able to continue owning pets while being allergic to them because they simply don’t keep them in the house where all the dander can build up and cause problems. It is definitely easier to have a dog outdoors than a cat. Carpets are a place where much of the allergens like to hide, so cleaning these carpets is also required in order to reduce one’s exposure to them. Pet allergies can often be helped by keeping the animal confined to one or two rooms of one’s home. Though this can be challenging it can be done with the entire family’s help.

Pet grooming has taken off. It is interesting to see shops popping up everywhere. There no doubt must be an association between a clean pet and less allergies. People are more aware now that having a pet groomed or grooming one’s own pet is another way to reduce exposure to the harmful allergens that can cause reactions. Shampooing and brushing can also be helpful when dealing with these annoying pet allergies. Washing rugs, curtains, and other decorations that can collect dander and fur is important as well in order to keep the allergen from accumulating in the home.

An interesting approach to take for finding out if you have pet allergies is to take care of a friend’s pet for a period of time in your own home. This will confirm what type of allergy symptoms you may experience and also see what it really takes to take care of a pet day in and day out. If you are an animal lover don’t despair. With the proper research and strategies you can find the right pet for you.

Pet Grooming Kit With Video

Yeast Allergy : Good for the Waist

May 25, 2007 By: Hazy Category: Food Allergies, Pet Allergies 2 Comments →

If you are a glass is half full person you may think that a yeast allergy is the greatest thing since sliced bread, please forgive the pun. If you are not that type of person you might not be happy with your food choices. It might not matter that the low carb diet brought about by a yeast allergy can lead to a smaller waistline.

Most people love their bread, though it’s not always good for their waist lines. Carbs are everywhere and they are particularly tempting for those on a low carb diet. You never realize how many carbs you eat until you are forced to eliminate them from your diet. What would happen if you couldn’t eat bread because of an allergy? That’s right, there are people with a yeast allergy, who can’t eat or drink anything with yeast as an ingredient. You may not realize it, but many things are made out of yeast. And, depending on the severity of your yeast allergy, you may not be able to enjoy bread, beer or any other yeast oriented products ever again.

Yeast can be broken down into 2 categories, baking yeast and brewers yeast. Baking yeast is used to aid in the cooking of baked goods like bread, cookies and cakes. Brewers yeast is used in the making of beer but is also known to be used in supplements. An allergy to brewers yeast would be very tough for a beer lover.

A yeast allergy for carb lovers can be devastating. As with many allergies some people go through life feeling the discomfort of allergies but not knowing that they have them. They don’t realize that they are causing themselves the discomfort by not identifying their yeast allergies. If your allergist tests you and confirms your yeast allergy you will then have to deal with the reality of having to manage your allergy in a world full of foods that contain yeast.

If your allergy isn’t that severe, you may be able to get by eating only certain foods with very little yeast in them. There are also some supplements and medicines that you can take to alleviate the symptoms of yeast allergy or at least lessen them. With these you may be able to enjoy your favorite foods without fear of a yeast allergy attack. Symptoms of a yeast allergy can include:

  • fatigue
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • depression
  • dizziness
  • muscle and joint pain

These are just a few of the symptoms that have been associated with a yeast allergy. If your allergy is severe it is highly likely that will have to give up yeast products altogether.

So your best bet is to look at the bright side. Yeast allergies can force you to change your diet for the good. A low carb diet has already been shown to help you shed unwanted pounds. Make sure to check with both your allergist and dietician about your allergy. They can provide you with the balanced plan to not only eat right but avoid those yeast allergy attacks that could have been plaguing you for years.

Dog Skin Allergies - Yes They Do Get Them

May 09, 2007 By: Hazy Category: General Allergy Information, Pet Allergies, Skin Allergies No Comments →

Many people seemed to think that dogs are immune from many of our ailments but they are not. Dogs get skin allergies just like some of us do. Dog skin allergies can make your dog’s life miserable. Most dog owners think of their pet as a member of their family so you want to make sure that you help them feel better if you can. They can’t talk so it is up to you to notice their symptoms.

What Are Some of the Symptoms of Dog Skin Allergies?

If your pet is consistently scratching or sneezing whenever they come in from outside, or if you notice a rash on their skin, your pet may have dog skin allergies. Dog skin allergies can cause your pet to break out in rashes. In many cases they can even lose their fur in certain areas of their body. Depending on the severity of the dog skin allergy, you should take your pet into the vet at the first sign of an allergic reaction to determine what is causing your dog’s skin allergy.

People Training for Dogs: The Dog Whisperer


The Vet is Your Best Bet

A variety of things can be causing your dog’s allergic reaction. Only a visit to your veterinarian can confirm your suspicions. If this is the case, your vet can test your pet to see what he or she is allergic to and what is causing their dog skin allergic reactions. If it’s something that’s in your yard, such as a certain plant or flower, you should get rid of it immediately. Similarly, if it’s something in your house that is causing your dog’s skin allergy, you should remove that, as well. Your vet may also be able to prescribe some kind of medication, either topical or ingested, that can help to alleviate some of the symptoms they are experiencing.

Dog is man’s best friend and, for that reason, you want to make sure your pet is in top physical condition. If they are constantly suffering and you make no effort to find out why, you aren’t showing your pet the love they deserve. Make an appointment with the vet to see what is causing this discomfort. If your vet determines that your dog has dog skin allergies, ask what can be done about it. If something needs to be removed from your house or yard, then remove it, your pet is well worth it.

Your Dog Can Have a Normal Life

Dog skin allergies can affect the quality of your dog’s life. It is up to you to pay attention to them and examine them when they are showing symptoms of dog skin allergies. Your veterinarian will give you the strategies and treatment options to help you manage the dog skin allergies. It is up to you to make sure you do everything to make sure the canine member of the family is feeling as well as he can.

Dogs For People With Allergies Are Being Breeded Daily

May 05, 2007 By: Hazy Category: Pet Allergies No Comments →

Dogs for people with allergies do exist. Many people these days would love to have the companionship provided by a dog of their own but suffer from allergies that prevent them from this pleasure. If you would have asked me if there were really options for people who suffer from dog allergies a few years ago I would have said to go get a bird or a fish but now I have discovered that there are a wide variety of dogs for people with allergies. Science has played a role by cross breeding certain types of dogs.

If you are like the many people allergic to dogs you may find yourself sneezing when you are around them or in a house of a dog owner. These allergy symptoms can be caused by the dogs fur or the dander that comes off their skin. Dander is similar to the dandruff in humans.

One of the many hypoallergenic dogs available today is the Cockapoo. This dog is a mix of Cocker Spaniel with a Poodle. You may ask why this combination and the reason is a bigger sized dog that sheds less since Poodles don’t shed. If you are into smaller dogs a Poodle might be a good choice for you since they are one of the best dogs for people with allergies.

A great place to get a list and ideas for getting allergy free dogs is your local pet store. You may also find that some dogs may cause more severe allergic reactions than others. Just because your brother’s German Sheppard sends you into allergic fits doesn’t mean that all dogs will give you that severe a reaction.

So what are some good dogs for people with allergies?

Here is a list of some of the popular ones:

  • Poodle
  • Cockapoodle
  • Labropoodle
  • Yorkipoo
  • Border Terrier
  • Bedlington Terrier
  • Bichon Frise
  • Chinese Crested
  • Irish Water Spaniel
  • Mexican Hairless
  • Kerry Blue Terrier
  • Maltese
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
  • Spanish Water Dog
  • Portuguese Water Dog
  • Schnauzer

Be sure to ask your pet store or veterinarian about the sizes. Some people may prefer larger dogs versus smaller ones. Some people may want more macho looking dogs like the Labropoodle. You need to make sure you find the right dog that does not shed. As you can see by the above list there are many dogs for people with allergies. You too can find that special dog that is not only your pet but your friend. Don’t forget the basics of cleaning your dog regularly and vacuuming as well. This will help you have the best relationship you can have with your hypoallergenic dog.

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Managing Dog Allergies: Basic Strategies

April 26, 2007 By: Hazy Category: Allergy Types, Pet Allergies No Comments →

Is man’s best friend becoming your worst enemy? People who suffer from dog allergies can feel pretty conflicted. On one hand they love their canine friend but on the other they suffer with a variety of symptoms that can make their lives miserable. If you aren’t sure whether you are allergic to dogs or want to figure out strategies for managing your symptoms so that you can keep your Lassie, then this article is for you.

Pets are pretty common in American households 6 out of 10 homes have one. Unfortunately the numbers also show that 1 out of every 10 people suffers from some sort of animal allergy. When it comes to pets cats tend to be the worst culprit in causing allergies but dogs are right behind them. Since dog allergies are a common problem, the good news is that there is a lot of information available on how to treat and manage an allergic reaction to your pet. If your reaction is not severe, and if you do not have other serious complications such as asthma, you should be able to successfully manage your allergic condition so that you can experience many symptom-free days.

How to Identify Your Dog Allergy

The most recommended strategy for identifying dog allergies is to remove the person you suspect is allergic from the environment. This can be done for a week or two to see whether the person experiences any of the symptoms they were complaining about. You might think it would be easier to remove the dog but pet dander can remain in the environment that the animal lives in for up to six months after the pet is removed. If moving the person away for a couple of weeks is too difficult, you can also ask your doctor to perform an allergy test in his office to see if the person indeed has a dog allergy.

What Treatment Options Do You Have?

Dog allergies are usually associated with dander or saliva of the animal. These allergens tend to cling to many surfaces. They also can hang around for a long time. This quality makes it difficult to completely rid a home of the allergens responsible for dog allergies, even if the animal is removed. It generally will take up to six months for the home to become free of allergens once the pet is removed.

The drastic treatment is to give the dog to another good home. This can be a big problem because family members are usually attached to the dog and consider him a part of the family. This option can be the last resort unless you have someone that just can not live with their symptoms. An example of this would be someone with asthma.

If the symptoms are mild there are other options. First, keep your pet out of the bedroom. This is an area where you spend a significant amount of your time, particularly sleeping. Get rid of old carpet that can harbor the allergens. Go for bare floors, in our house we always start out with hardwood floors and use throw rugs that can be washed in hot water. An air cleaner with a HEPA filter can also be an effective way to keep allergens at bay in certain areas of your house, Oreck has a great line of air purifiers that can help.

Dog allergies may be a common problem but you can learn to manage them. If all else fails and you do have to get rid of your beloved pet you might be able to replace them with a dog breed that is known to cause less dog allergies.

Cat Allergies How to Cope

April 19, 2007 By: Hazy Category: Allergy Symptoms, Pet Allergies 1 Comment →

Our feline friends can sometimes be closer to us than many people yet if you suffer from cat allergies this relationship can be challenging. How do you cope? Pets have become such a great part of our lives. They provide comfort in times of loneliness and a hobby that helps to pass the time. Though the typical household pets are cats and dogs, pets can be any animal like rabbits, fish, and birds. Some people even like snakes and lizards. All that said cats are one of the most popular which can cause problems for household members that suffer from cat allergies.

Allergic reactions to cats can range from mild to severe so before you buy one you should definitely assess whether you might have any cat allergies. Unfortunately many people find out about their allergies after the fact. Asthma has been found to be a determining factor in how allergic you may be. 4 out of 10 asthma sufferers have cat allergies. On top of that they experience more symptoms when exposed to cats than to dogs.

What causes such an allergic reaction? A protein that is found in the cat skin and saliva seems to be the driver. When cleaning themselves cat lick their fur, depositing the protein on their fur. This allergen will produce a reaction to those that are sensitive similar to reactions to other allergens like pollen, dust or dander. When the protein becomes airborne and the allergy sufferer comes into contact with it the symptoms begin.

While there appear to be dog breads that are somewhat hypo allergenic (produce fewer allergic reactions), male cats cause more allergic reactions than female because of the testosterone level in the male cat’s glands. This testosterone in turn increases the protein. The cat allergen is found mainly in homes where cats live but due to the nature of it can be found wherever a cat owner may go. The protein allergen is quite sticky and can be carried on people’s clothing from place to place. The protein particles which cause the cat allergies can remain in the air for long periods of time.

If you are allergic you will more than likely have a rapid reaction as soon as you enter the room. If there is a cat or multiple cats in a room the reaction can be severe. The most common symptom of cat allergies is wheezing and can begin by just entering a room with cats. However, there are more subtle, delayed reactions as well that may last longer. If you are continually exposed you may experience chronic asthma. Eczema or hives are other possible symptoms.

The safest bet for coping with cat allergies is to avoid these animals as much as you can. Sometimes that is not a practical option and you may want to try to manage your symptoms for the sake of others in your household. In this case it is recommended that you try to confine your cat to certain areas of the house. Keep them out of your bed and bedroom for sure. Also purchasing a hepa air purifier and cleaning regularly will help in managing your cat allergies.