Tips to care for your Hypoallergenic dog.
Hypoallergenic Dog Management Tips
Hypoallergenic
dog breeds are breeds that may produce less of an allergic reaction in people
who suffer from dog allergies. There are a few main causes of allergic
reactions but the one most people think of—dog hair—is actually not one of
them. Hair, however, does seem to enhance allergic reactions for people, but
the main cause is from dander produced by the dog's skin.
When
you are looking for a hypoallergenic dog, Jared Lansky feels it is important to
run tests with several dogs from the same breed (that you are looking to get).
This is because allergic reactions to dogs within the same breed often vary
from dog to dog. Low-shedding breeds with a single coat have shown to induce
less allergic reactions than hairier, heavy-coated dogs, simply because less
dander is produced. The same goes for smaller dogs; they are a safer bet for
people allergic to dogs because the amount of dander available on their body is
much less than that of a bigger dog. After you have picked out your dog it is
important to take good care of it so as to keep the risk of having an allergic
reaction down.
An
everyday thing to do with your new dog is to brush it or comb it daily, and to
do it outdoors if you can. This will keep most of the dander off of your dog
and doing it outside makes it less likely that you run into it later (like in your
living room).
Along
with brushing your dog you want to make sure you bathe it frequently. This
removes allergens such as dander and saliva and reduces shedding. There is even
anti-allergen pet shampoo on the market to help prevent your dog's skin from
drying out. You should also wash your dog's bed, cushion, blanket, etc. two or
three times a week for the same reason.
Again,
since the dog's skin is the dander-producer, it is wise to give your dog a
multivitamin and a fatty acid supplement to keep its skin healthy.
To
be safe you should not allow your dog on furniture that you use often. This is
why it should have a blanket or cushion that it can lie on and that you can
wash easily. Also, because a dog's saliva can also induce allergic reactions
you should train your dog not to lick you.
One
of the biggest and best things you can do is to just vacuum frequently,
preferably using a vacuum with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
This filter helps reduce dust and allergens by trapping small particles and
re-releasing dirty air.
Although
it may take a little extra effort to stay allergen-free, the reward of owning a
loving dog is well worth it, says Jared Lansky. A hypoallergenic dog is still a
dog. They don't call it "man's best friend" for nothing.
About the Author
Jared Lansky is a student in California who is currently studying Journalism.
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