We all love our pets. Their happy faces and wagging tails or rumbling purrs add a little sweetness to each day. If you fall into the group of people allergic to pet dander, time with your furry friends might leave you feeling congested and itchy.
Any pet can create dander, but cats and dogs are the main culprits, with approximately 30% of people displaying an allergy to them.[1] While allergy symptoms can be irksome, there are ways you can manage them without losing time with your pet.
1. Clean Your Home
Pet dander builds up in your home if you don’t regularly clean it up. Each week, take the following steps to clean your home:
- Sweep, vacuum and mop all floors; if possible, choose a vacuum specializing in animal fur
- Remove and wash all sheets, pillowcases and comforters
- Vacuum your couch and any other upholstered seating
- Lint roll upholstery after vacuuming
- Lint roll your bare mattress top
- Spray down hard surfaces like your shower, countertops, sinks, shelves and tables
In addition to the above weekly tasks, you should wash your pillows every two to four weeks.
2. Wash Your Pet
Cats will bathe themselves regularly, but dogs should get a bath every one to two weeks—depending on how much they shed—and be brushed regularly. While you don’t bathe cats, you can remove built-up fur and pet dander with a brush. Try looking around Hollywood Feed for a cat-specific brush.
3. Change Your HEPA Filter
The air filters in your home need to be changed regularly to work at their best. Double-check the packaging on your HEPA filter for information on when it needs to be replaced.
4. Keep Pets off Furniture
This tip may be impossible for some pet parents, but do your best to keep your pets off your bed and, ideally, off the couch. You can try placing pet beds in your bedroom and living room to encourage them to sleep somewhere else. If you can’t keep them off the furniture, just make sure you bathe and brush them, vacuum and lint-roll the upholstery, and change your bed sheets regularly.
5. Schedule an Allergy Consultation
If your pet dander allergies are stopping you from enjoying time with your adorable cat or dog, we can help. Contact Eastern Oklahoma Ear Nose and Throat – Yale Office to schedule an allergy treatment consultation with one of our specialists.
[1] Cleveland Clinic. (2025, May 21). Pet allergies: Causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17702-pet-allergies