How to reduce allergies to your pet rodent

Household pets like your favourite cats and dogs are not the only pets that can cause coughing and sneezing. Any pet with fur or hair can trigger an allergic reaction. Rodents- rats and mice, in particular, are the most common animals that cause allergic diseases. Some of the reported symptoms of these allergies include rhinoconjunctivitis, urticaria, asthma, and anaphylaxis.

In all rodents, the various sources of allergen include their dander, hair, saliva, urine, and serum. Among these, urine also represents a major source of allergens in rats and mice.

Most major mouse and rat allergens are produced in the liver under the influence of androgenic hormones.

We have compiled three things you can do if you or any member of your home is allergic to your pet rat:

1. Make Sure  you carry out steps to make physical contact with your pet safer

This can be achieved by doing the following;

• Ensure clothing that covers skin are worn
• Ensure cotton gloves or sturdier, gardening gloves are worn.
• Abstain from rubbing your eyes especially after touching them.
• Ensure clothes are changed clothes and washed immediately.
• Ensure hands, arms, neck, face and any other part of your body that’s come in contact with rats are washed as soon as you finish interacting with your pet rat.
• Ensure you have an Air Purifier in your home and around your rats' cage
• Ensure you bathe pet rats weekly bmy using baby shampoo ot soaking in warm water then rinse well after.

1. Clean Thoroughly and Frequently to Reduce Human Allergies

• You necessary do not have to clean your rat's home yourself. If possible, get someone else to clean your rats’ cage if you’re allergic. If no one else is available, wear a surgical mask while cleaning to reduce inhaling any allergens.
• Ensure your rats’ cage is cleaned every day and replace anything soiled with new or fresh items. You can try changing everything every 3 days instead of daily and see if the allergic reactions are still improved. If they don't improve, return to thoroughly cleaning and changing boxes, bedding, litter, etc. Everyday.

We have some products that would make Pets healthcare cleaning easier here

1. Using some prescribed medication

• You could use some Clariton which is an antihistamine that works very well for many people, some Zirtec, or Benedryl.
• Use could also use Nasal spray with antihistamines and decongestants.

Discuss with your doctor or specialist before using any of the drugs we suggested above. You can also check with your doctor to know more about any medications that can be prescribed to alleviate allergies to your pet rats.

You can also do the following about your pet allergy:

1. Ensure your pet is kept outside your bedroom and surrounding
2. Ensure you use only synthetic pillows
3. Ensure visits with pet-owning friends are carried out outside your home so they dont bring dander inside your home
4. Ensure you do not hug or kiss your pet. If you have to, ensure you wash up properly
5. Try brushing and grooming often can help get rid of dander
6. Always have a vet on speed dial when your pet portrays strange behaviour. It may be ill and the illness may be contagious

We hope you found this very helpful. Check out our page for more helpful content and products for your pet rat.