6 Things in Your House That Could be Triggering Your Pet's Allergies

Did you know that your pet could be allergic to everything from their own beds to your pets?

Unfortunately, figuring out what could be causing allergies in your dog or cat can be a lengthy process, and a particularly hard one when dealing with household allergens.

Potential Household Triggers for Your Pet's Allergies

Here are some unexpected causes of household pet allergies and how to determine if your dog or cat is reacting to them.

Dust Mites

Dust mites allergies are more common than you think. In fact, dust mites, molds and pollens are the three major airborne allergens that pets are susceptible to.

While every pet can respond differently, and with varying levels of severity-to dust mites, most pets will demonstrate allergies to dust mites through their skin.

Unless you wash it regularly, your dog's own bed can trigger an allergic reaction. "Pillow", bedding and carpets are frequent sources for dust mites, as well as hard-to-clean areas underneath sofas or beds.

Dog Bed Stuffing

Certain materials and fabrics in your pet's bed can cause an allergic reaction, but it's more likely that it is the dust mites causing your pet to have an allergic reaction.

There are hypo-allergic beds on the market, but regardless of the type of bed your pet uses, it is important to wash it frequently to get rid of the dust mites and to remove the dead skin from the bed.

If that doesn't help, check if the bed is made with wool, down or feather-based materials, as these are more likely to cause allergic issues.

100% cotton is much less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

Other pets

Your pet can actually be allergic to new animals that are introduces into the home. Pets can be allergic to a new animal, and just like people, they can develop allergies to dander at any point in their lives.

While this isn't a common allergy, it does happen and could be something to look into if you can't seem to find any other causes for your pet's allergy.

Typically, allergic pets have reactions to more than one thing in the environment, so it's best to talk to your veterinarian about finding the source of the allergic reaction before jumping to the conclusion that another pet is the cause.

Chemical Skin Irritants

Contact dermatitis can be caused by a lot of things, with household cleaners ranking high on the list.

This is good reason to use all natural cleaners, as they will be less likely to cause contact dermatitis.

In addition to abrasive cleaners, you should also watch out for shampoos, detergents, soaps and hair sprays as potential possible contributors to pet allergies.

Some laundry detergents and soaps can make fabrics more irritating and thus generate an allergic response, so look for organic, unscented detergents that are free from dyes and perfumes to wash anything your pet sleeps on.

The problem with contact dermatitis is that the cause of the problem can be very difficult to determine, as the number of products used in many homes is quite large.

One of the most surprising yet frequent causes of contact dermatitis is seen in dogs who lounge by the pol or swim. Exposure to the chlorine treated pool water over time can cause an allergic reaction.

Indoor Plants

There are many indoor and outdoor plants that might trigger an airborne or contact allergic reaction in your pet. Any flowering houseplant has the potential to cause pets to have an allergic reaction. Symptoms typically occur seasonally and present as itchy skin, excessive grooming, rashes, sneezing and eye discharge.

No matter what type of houseplants you have, be aware that the potting soil may be harboring mold, which can also cause allergies in your pet. To prevent mold in the soil, don't over-water your plants, and keep them in a well-lit and ventilated room.

Smoke

Pets-cats especially, can be very sensitive to smoke, as it is a respiratory irritant. Smoke of any kind can cause issues, including smoke from cooking.

Pets who live in homes with people who smoke cigarettes are more likely to develop atopic dermatitis, an allergic reaction that causes itchy skin. Some pets can suffer from asthma from inhaling the chemicals and irritants.

Other signs that your pet might be having an allergic reaction to smoke include shortness of breath, watery eyes, sneezing or difficulty breathing. If you suspect your pet is allergic or is showing signs of breathing difficulty, talk to your veterinarian right away.

How to Determine What's Causing the Allergic Reaction

If you think your furry companion is having an allergic reaction to something in your home, you can do an elimination trial. Try thinking about anything new in the home, such as new laundry detergent, air freshener or cleaning product.

If you haven't added any potential allergens lately. Eliminate as many possible allergens or irritants as possible and seeing if your pet gets better. Then, you could slowly add things back in and monitor.

Minimizing the Allergens in Your Home

In addition to removing products that might be causing pet allergies, the best advice is to clean thoroughly, wash bedding often and clean with all-natural materials. Also, a HEPA filter can help pull dust and pollen out of the air.

Vacuuming frequently using a high suction vacuum and disinfecting surfaces regularly are also musts if you share your home with an allergic pet.

Changing furnace filters monthly, avoiding wool blankets in the home and adding plu-in air purifiers in every room can also be very effective.

Be sure to talk to your veterinarian about your pet's allergies and what might be causing them. Your veterinarian can provide more in depth guidance and can recommend treatment and management options.