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If you know you have a cat allergy but don't yet have a cat, you may want to consider breeds that may naturally cause fewer allergic symptoms, like hairless Sphynx or Devon Rex. (Unfortunately, there's no such cat or dog breed that has no absolutely allergy-causing genetics; even hairless cats groom themselves with their allergy-causing Fel d 1 protein-infused saliva.) Adjust Your Environment Swap rugs and carpets for smooth floors: Carpets and rugs trap hairs and absorb microscopic pet dander that's tough to get out. Pet hair will just lie on top of hard floors like linoleum and wood, making it easier to clean without getting embedded. According to the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, carpets contain 13 times more cat allergens than hardwood or smooth flooring. If you can't get rid of your carpet, consider getting a carpet cleaner like my favorites above to pull out embedded fur and clean fibers with a soap-water solution. Don't let pets in your bedroom: Limiting the rooms that allergy-causing pets can be in is a good way to minimize dander and allergen spread around the home, especially if the pet lies on your bedding. (If you don't want to shut out your pet from the bedroom, try to avoid having it on the bed and clean your bedding very often.) Air purifiers: If you live with a pet, air purifiers are your friend. They help to circulate and purify air, getting rid of smells and microscopic debris, including dander. It's generally recommended to have one air purifier for every 300 to 500 square feet. (Check out our full guide to the best air purifiers to find the best one for your home/needs.) I have an air purifier specifically designed for homes with pets, featuring stronger HEPA filters made to catch microscopic dander and hair, which are the root causes of allergies. I have one near my litter box to purify stinky smells and in my bedroom, where my cats most often hang out. Leave windows open when possible: Ventilation and air circulation are super helpful to keep airflow moving, making less opportunity for dander and fur to settle and embed. Photograph: Lisa Wood Shapiro Airdog Pet Air Filter Clean, Clean, Clean Brush your pet daily with a moist brush or cloth: I know it seems counterintuitive to deal with fur if you're allergic, but be sure to brush the pet outside or in contained area to limit the amount of errant hairs (and vacuum directly after). Regular brushing helps keep shedding at bay, which means less fur around your house. If possible, keep hair short and clean. Many of my allergy-prone friends swear by Allerpet (for cats, $10; for dogs, $13), a waterless shampoo that reduces dander. Wash clothing and bedding often: If you've held your pet or slept with it, wash the clothes or bedding after, and daily if possible. Make sure to wash at high temperatures. Wash your hands frequently to reduce the spread of allergens on skin. Vacuum daily: After researching and talking to experts, vacuuming daily is probably the most effective way to reduce allergens around the home. I'd recommend anyone with allergies to invest in a robot vacuum so that it can be continuously vacuuming throughout the day to keep floors constantly clean. (Be sure to check out my guide to the best vacuums for pet hair for my favorite options for homes fighting fur.) Wet cleaning is best: Dusting or sweeping doesn't actually pick up all of the hair and dander, it just scoots allergens around. Wet cleaning helps the fur and microscopic dander cling to the surface, making cleaning more effective. Although they can be pricey, I'm a huge fan of combo robot vacuum-mops. Rather than having to manually vacuum and mop daily, a smart little machine does it for you, self- emptying and -cleaning so you don't have to deal with potential allergens. I run a robot vacuum and mop cycle throughout my apartment daily, and it's made a huge improvement in my roommate's allergy symptoms and generally makes the house feel much cleaner. Pet Food Additives There's research that egg-derived antibodies against the allergen Fel d 1 found in saliva are “shown to significantly reduce active Fel d 1 in cats’ saliva and dander, […] egg yolk antibodies bind to Fel d 1 and neutralize it before it spreads in saliva and dander,” says Anthea Schick, a veterinary dermatologist at Thrive Pet Healthcare. “Peer-reviewed studies show that cats fed a diet containing an anti-Fel d 1 egg product significantly reduce active allergen levels, [and] individuals with allergies experienced reduced symptoms when interacting with cats fed this diet.” Many people swear by this antibody additive, which can be directly applied as a topper to food. The brand most recommended to me was Pacagen ($58), a powdered additive that should be added to food or fed twice daily. Consult Your Doctor Talk to your doctor about allergy tests and potential medicines, like a daily allergy pill or a longer-term allergy shot. Even taking an over-the-counter allergy pill like Zyrtec can be helpful when allergy-related symptom flare-ups occur. Oftentimes, people who are exposed to the allergen over time can have steadily decreasing symptoms. “Some people experience a decrease in symptoms after years of exposure […] Allergen immunotherapy—allergy shots or drops—remains the most reliable method for building long-term tolerance in people,” says Schick. Meet the Experts James Lyons, ER physician at Synergy. Anthea Schick, veterinary dermatologist and senior national specialty director of dermatology at Thrive Pet Healthcare.
