Pet owners know that one of the most devastating things to find out is that they themselves or a member of their family has developed cat or dog allergies. Before you do anything rash, be sure to get confirmation that it is indeed an allergy. If the allergy test is positive, discuss with your allergist about the severity of the allergy. Before you try to rehome your pet, try some of these pet allergy relief tips:

1. Wash and brush your pet often

Dog and cat dander allergies can be relieved by making sure you maintain your pet’s hygiene. A thorough weekly brushing and bath can help limit the amount of dander circulating in your home. There are also specialty shampoos that can help get rid of dander too.

2. Keep your bedroom and bed off limits

The bedroom and the bed of the allergy sufferer needs to be completely off limits. The pet should not be allowed in the bedroom and surely should not be on the bed. This will give you or the person with allergies a room to go to if they need to find some relief for their allergies.

3. Carpets need to go

If you have rugs in your home, they should go. Rugs and carpets tend to hold on to fur, dander, and other things that will cause allergies to flare up. If you have carpeting in your home that you just can’t get rid of, you can invest in a carpet cleaner. Buy one that made specifically for homes with pets. Cleaning your carpets once a week will help alleviate some of the issues.

4. Allergy medication or shots

Your doctor may also prescribe an allergy medication to help combat some of the symptoms related to your pet allergies. For those whose allergies are not severe, a little medication may be enough for you. For those who would rather not have the hassle of a daily medication, allergy shots are also an option. These are typically given either weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly depending on the severity of your allergies.

5. HEPA air filters

HEPA air filters are a type of air filter that works by pushing the air into and through a mesh that will then trap any particles that could cause your allergies such as pet dander. HEPA filters can be found in vacuums, in portable air purifiers and even for home air conditioners and furnaces.

Before giving up your pet for adoption, it is worth giving some of the tips and tricks a try. You love them like family, so you want them to stay with you if possible! If you must rehome your dog or cat, please do your research beforehand to ensure they go to a kind and loving home.