Petland Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel Florida, offers advice to reduce pet allergy symptoms
Contact Information:
Vickie Sargent-Kler
813-973-7667
Full Description:
Allergies to Pets Nothing to Sneeze About -
Petland Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel Florida – Spring has almost sprung and so have seasonal allergies. And while many of us know how to keep our seasonal allergy
symptoms in check, allergies to pets often prevent people from enjoying the human-animal bond, or, even worse, force an owner to give up his best friend.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America states six out of every 10 people
in the United States come in contact with cats or dogs. Fifteen to 30 percent of people
with allergies will have allergic reactions to them. “Fortunately, there are ways to alleviate allergies caused by pets,” said Vickie Sargent-Kler of the Petland store in the Publix Shopping Center, in Wesley Chapel. “What many people don’t realize is that they aren’t allergic to the animal, they are allergic to the dander.”
Dander is the dead skin that is continually shed. Pet hair is not in itself an
allergen, but it can collect dander, dust and pollen. People can also be allergic to their
pet’s saliva or urine.
If you are thinking about getting a new puppy or kitten,Sargent-Kler says there
are breeds that seem to be better for allergy sufferers. “There are some dogs that seem to have less dander and these include Poodles, Bichons and Maltese.”
If you already have a pet that is causing allergic reactions or are introducing a
new pet into your home, Sargent-Kler says there are many things you can do to reduce
allergy symptoms.
• Keep animals out of the bedroom and off the bed. Wash all bedding in 140-degree
hot water at least twice a month to kill any allergens or bacteria.
• Use a vapor steam cleaner to clean your home, as the steam provides a chemical
free method of killing cat proteins and dog/cat dander.
• Install a good HEPA air cleaner.
• Use allergen air filters in your furnace.
• Cover your air vents with vent guards, which can trap dander and keep it from
circulating in the air.
• Clean and vacuum regularly with a vacuum outfitted with a HEPA filter.
• Keep your pet off of dander-collecting furniture or use a slipcover that can be
easily removed and washed.
• Brush your pet daily (brush your pet outside to keep the dander from going into
the air inside your home).
• Shampoo your pet using an allergen-reducing shampoo, like Allerpet. Bathing
your pet on a weekly basis can reduce the level of allergens on fur by as much as
84 percent.
• Keep your pet’s skin healthy with a good diet, mulitivitamin and a fatty acid
supplement.
• Wash your hands after handling your pet.
• Bare, uncarpeted floors are best as carpet can trap allergens.
• Wash your pet’s bedding and toys regularly.
• Using Anti-allergen sprays and detergents can also reduce allergens.
Any and all of these can help make your life with your pet more enjoyable, says
Sargent-Kler. Even just implementing a few of the tips can make a big difference.
“The bottom line is people love their pets and we want to do everything we can to
educate them about steps that can be taken so the health of both the customer and the pet is ensured and they can enjoy their human-animal bond.”
The Petland store in Wesley Chapel is part of Petland, Inc., a franchise operation with more than 200 quality, full service, retail pet centers across the United States, Canada, Japan, Chile and South Africa. For more information on Petland, visit www.petlandwesleychapel.com.
