Controlling Allergies Cat Dander Causes

Cat dander causes allergic reactions in about 1 in 10 people, and among them are many cat owners. Controlling the allergies cat dander causes is possible for both cat owners and other allergic people who come in contact with felines. Understanding how the allergies develop can help you find solutions for the problem. There are no cures for allergies, but you can control them.

Cat Dander

The dander is shed by all cats, regardless of their type or length of coat. The dander particles are barely visible and they are airborne. The dander can be inhaled and it can also penetrate the skin, causing allergic reactions. The cat dander allergy control can be performed in a few steps:

• Reduce the dander shed by your pet
• Reduce the dander from your home
• Allergy treatment

Reduce the Dander Shed by the Pet

The dander shed by your pet may be reduced if your pet has a healthy diet and uses products that don't cause dry skin. Cats with dry skin will shed more dander. The quality of your pet's skin can be controlled by feeding him a balanced diet and by using the right products.

The diet of the cat should be a balanced mixture between proteins, fats and fibers. The fats are essential in maintaining the cat's skin healthy. Fatty acid supplements can be added if the skin looks dry. There are also immunity supplements that can keep the skin healthy. A dysfunctional immune system can result in a poor skin quality.

The products you use on your pet are essential. If these are not appropriate, they can cause flaky skin and even skin irritations or infections that will cause more intensive dander shedding. Always use products that are created for cats and that have a normal pH for cats. If you notice your cat's skin gets flaky, you need to switch to hypoallergenic products. Don't bathe your pet too frequently, as this can cause dry skin.

Reduce Dander from Home

The dander from your home can be reduced by:

• Cleaning the home regularly, which will guarantee you will have fewer allergic reactions.
• Grooming your pet, so that he won't shed as much dander. Don't bathe your cat, but use a sponge dipped in water or an oat rinse.
• Keeping an area where the cat doesn't have access (i.e., the bedroom).
• Installing air purifiers that can filter the air and reduce the impurities, including the cat dander.

Allergy Treatment

Getting treatment is also important in controlling cat dander allergies. There are three types of treatment available for cat dander control:

• Allergy shots, most often recommended because the shots can provide long term relief and have no major side effects, but may not be effective in 25% of people.
• Antihistamines that can be administered regularly, but should be rotated every three months.
• Steroids, only recommended for serious allergic reactions.