Do you suffer from asthma or have an allergy to pet dander? If so, you might worry that you can’t share your home with a dog! However, keep in mind that plenty of people have allergies and successfully own a dog. If you’re a dog lover, however, you might be desperate to find a way to share your home with one.

Some of it depends on the severity of your symptoms. If you only have mild symptoms, such as congestion and sneezing, you may be able to successfully share your home with a pet. If your symptoms are more severe, such as shortness of breath, it can be more challenging.  Here are some tips that can help you cope with your allergies.

Allergy-proof house

There are certain updates you can make throughout your house to help your allergies. For example, installing a HEPA air filter can help remove dander and other allergens from the air. If you don’t have the finances for a whole house system, at least put a filtration system in your bedroom or living room. 

If possible, you’ll also want to replace any carpet in the house with hard-surface flooring. Allergens can become embedded into the carpet. And whenever you walk across that carpet, the allergens get stirred up into the air. Hard-surface flooring is much easier to keep clean.

Keep dog out of bedroom

Make your bedroom into an allergy-free zone that the dog is unable to go into. This can help lessen the severity of your symptoms since you won’t be breathing in the hair and dander while you’re sleeping. 

If your dog is already used to sleeping in your bedroom, you’ll at least want to start training them to stay off of your bed. When your dog jumps on your bed, all of that dander and whatever allergens might be in their fur gets transferred onto your bedding, which can cause your allergies to flare up.

Choose a dog that sheds less

If you haven’t yet adopted a dog, you might want to consider looking at breeds that are considered hypoallergenic dogs. While these breeds still shed, they tend to shed less than other breeds. They also produce less dander. 

There is a wide range of hypoallergenic dogs, from small breeds such as the Bichon Frise and larger breeds such as the Giant Schnauzer. The less hair and dander in your house, the less likely your allergies will be triggered.

Create a grooming schedule

Keeping your dog groomed can help decrease the number of allergens in your house. You’ll want to get into the habit of regularly brushing and bathing your dog. Bathing your dog weekly helps to get allergens and dander off of your dog's skin. 

Brushing the dog at least twice a week can help get rid of any loose hair, as well as get rid of bits of dander. However, it isn’t recommended that the person with allergies be the one to brush the dog since brushing tends to send allergens into the air. Wiping your dog off with a damp towel can also be useful if you’re unable to brush.

Clean, clean, clean

In addition to keeping your dog clean, make sure to keep your house clean! Vacuuming your floors and upholstered furniture frequently, washing your bedding, wiping down walls, and dusting hard surfaces can help reduce the number of allergens in your home. 

While you might already have a cleaning schedule that helps reduce your allergens, be prepared to clean even more once you bring a dog home! Dogs spend time outside, which means that they're going to be bringing dirt and other allergens into your home.

Consult an allergist

There are medications out there that can help with mild allergy symptoms. Talking to your primary doctor or an allergist will give you a better idea of what medical treatment might be available to you.

If your allergy is mild, it might be managed by the use of an OTC medicine or nasal saline.

Depending on how severe your allergies are and your overall health, you might also be a good candidate for immunotherapy, which is a series of allergy shots. 

In conclusion

If you have allergies, but also have your heart set on sharing your home with a dog, a combination of the above tips might be able to help you! However, keep in mind that everyone is different. While the advice above might work for some people, it might not work for others, depending on the severity of the allergies.