Here’s a question for you: are people more likely to be allergic to cats or dogs? If you said “cats,” you’d be correct! According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies.
Why?
Two words: cat dander.
While many people think allergies are caused by their cat’s fur, this simply isn’t true. The real culprit is cat dander, a dust-like substance consisting of white flakes of cat skin and cat fur. Like all humans, cats shed skin cells every single day, which means that cat dander builds up in your house over time. But don’t stress. This article will cover six easy ways to get rid of cat dander.
#1. Brush and Groom Your Cat Regularly
The simplest way to remove dander from your cat’s buddy is by brushing and grooming your cat regularly. To do this effectively, grab yourself a deshedding brush from your local pet store. Then, gently comb your cat 3 – 5 times weekly, depending on whether your cat has long or short fur.
Now, if you have an allergy to cat dander or fur, you may be worried that brushing your cat will cause their allergies to flare up. While there is a risk of this, you can minimize it by using gloves, wearing a face mask, and brushing your cat outside or on a towel.
#2. Stop Bathing Your Cat
As a cat guardian, I’m sure you are aware of how tricky it can be to bathe your cat. Thankfully, you don’t have to! Unless your cat is covered in a substance they can’t clean themselves (i.e., poo, oil, rubbish, mud, chemicals, foods that are toxic to cats), there is absolutely no need to bathe your cat.
In fact, bathing your cat strips their fur and skin of essential oils, making their skin dry and increasing their cat dander production. If you are looking to reduce dander, stop bathing your cat regularly, and take up brushing instead. Trust me, it works!
#3. Apply Cat Dander Remover Spray
If you have a long-haired cat or a cat that overproduces cat dander, you may want to try a cat dander spray like Allerpet. These sprays keep your cat’s skin healthy and subtle, which will decrease cat dander production. To use the spray, you simply need to moisten a small cloth with the spray, then gently rub the spray on your cat from nose to tail. Dry with a towel once finished, and brush.
Treat your cat with dander spray bi-weekly for best results, and consult your vet if cat dander production doesn’t decrease.
#4. Watch What Your Cat Eats
Low-quality cat food increases cat dander production, as it fails to meet the nutritional needs of your cat. To decrease the production of cat dander, choose a high-quality cat food recommended by your vet.
Your vet may also recommend a food rich in fish oil or Omega 3, as these contain fatty acids. However, it is best to consult your vet before switching to these foods, as they are not suitable for all cats.
If you watch what your cat eats, you can reduce cat dander production significantly – as higher quality food will improve the quality of your cat’s skin and fur.
#5. Vacuum Regularly Using a HEPA Filter Vacuum Cleaner
If you want to reduce the amount of cat dander in your home, make sure you vacuum your bed, carpet, furniture, and fabric surfaces at least once a week with a HEPA filter vacuum. A High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter is a type of filter that can capture fine particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Since about 75% of cat dander particles are in the 5-10 microns range and 25% are in the 2.5 microns range, a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner can catch dander more effectively than a regular vacuum. Invest in a HEPA filter, and decrease your cat dander problem with ease.
#6. Get an Air Purifier
While HEPA filter vacuums are an effective tool in reducing cat dander, they can also blow particles around your house (including cat dander particles). TO avoid this, invest in an air purifier to go along with your HEPA filter vacuum.
An air purifier is the perfect solution for catching airborne allergens – even the microscopic ones that your eyes can’t see. There are many air purifiers available today, including large purifiers for large rooms, small air purifiers for bedrooms, and portable air purifiers for families on the move. We suggest using an air purifier in your house’s main rooms and running these for at least one hour each week.
Conclusion
Cat dander is a major problem when it is left untreated, which is why we recommend taking steps to reduce the amount of cat dander in your home. If you follow the tips in this article and invest in an air purifier, we guarantee you can decrease the amount of cat dander in your home in weeks, if not days.
Karie is a science-obsessed writer with a sensitive nose. She has been using air purifiers for many years, and uses them obsessively to keep her home dust-free. She is passionate about helping people find the right air purifier for them.