Don't Give Up a Beloved Pet Because of Allergies
by A. Van Bavel, angelike@io.com
All animals have dander and all guardians of these animals suffer to some degree from allergies caused by this dander. However, there is a way to mitigate, if not eliminate, the allergens caused by dander.
Both my husband and I suffer from allergies and these are exacerbated by kitties. However, after some research, we discovered that there is a way to eliminate the allergens caused by kitty saliva. Yes, a cat's saliva is the culprit!
There is a type of food mixture that we make and give them every morning (just a tablespoon). It has 1 part brewer's yeast, 1 part oat bran, and 2 parts lecithin (found at health food stores). We mix that all up with soft cat food and water. It is refrigerated until gone (with 3 kitties, it doesn't last long). The brewer's yeast helps control the dander and provides a lot of minerals for the kitties. The oat bran helps eliminate hairballs, and lecithin helps it all go down smoothly and brings out the luster of their coat. They adore it, but don't give them too much!
You can also use brewer's yeast tablets as treats. They are a good source of B vitamins for your pet. There are vitamin mixtures available to promote healthy coats and a healthy coat produces less dander. Vitacoat is a good one. These products are available at pet supply stores.
We also brush their coats at least once a week - more if the season is changing, because they shed for winter and for summer. This is particularly important for older kitties, because it helps them keep their coat clean. For out-of-season shedding, there is a product called Mrs. Allen's Shed-Stop. It is made by Farnum, a company known for its holistic approach to allergies created by the fur on furry animals. Shed-Stop is composed of natural vitamins, minerals, oils and herbs. It supplies life-extending nutrients to follicles to condense shedding into a controlled seasonal burst instead of a prolonged process.
We also wash our kitties with pre-moistened wipes called Pals Quick Cleansing Wipes, which eliminate dander. Or, get a bottle of AllerpetC (for cats) and put it on a paper towel or washcloth. Though there are no pre-moistened wipes for dogs, you can get AllerpetD, which is for dogs of all breeds. There is also Nature's Miracle Dander & Odor Eliminator for both dogs and cats. It removes dander as well and comes in a spray pump bottle. You can buy these products from Foster and Smith at 1-800-826-7206. Their website is drsfostersmith.com. I'm not promoting this company, just suggesting where you can purchase these products. I believe other pet supply companies have similar products. This stuff works!
Carpet is the worst promoter of allergens. If you can't get rid of your carpeting, there are other ways to control the allergens. If you live in an apartment, get your apartment's maintenance staff to change your air filter once a month (they're supposed to do this anyway). Or, if you live in a house, set up a schedule to change your air filter once a month. Clean your ceiling fans at least once a month and when vacuuming, wear a facemask. A bandana will do the trick. Try and vacuum at least once a week. You could also get an electrostatic air filter for your home. They are available for about $15 at Home Depot. They work great!
Use these techniques and within a few days you should notice a BIG difference!