Allergic to your pet? These tips might help

Suzie Sloan's dogs love their Atlanta backyard, and Suzie and her husband love their dogs.

"I'm pretty obsessed with them, actually," Sloan laughs.

So much so the dogs have their own Instagram account, @theadventuresofharveyandpete.

WATCH: How can your survive the dreaded pet allergies?
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"I feel like everything we do, we do with our dogs," Sloan says. "We go hiking. We go for long walks in the city. We go to the dog park."

But a few years back, the Director of Development for the non-profit rescue PAWS Atlanta got tested for allergies to pinpoint what was causing her sinus congestion and sneezing.

"And they said my whole back lit up, including dog and cat dander," she says.

You heard that right. Among other things, Sloan is allergic to Pete and Harvey.

And Decatur allergist Dr. George Gottlieb says pet allergies are one of the top reason patients come to his clinic for allergy shots, because they're sensitive to a protein that dogs and cats produce.

"It's on the the hair," Gottlieb says. "It's on the skin, it's in the saliva, it's in the urine. It's really in most of the secretions of the pet as well."

And Dr. Gottlieb says there's no such thing as a hypoallergenic pet, though smaller breed dogs tend to cause fewer problems.

So what can you do if you love your pet, but your allergies don't?

"One, it helps greatly to wash a pet," says Dr. Gottlieb. "With dogs, that's easy. With cats, you have to sort of get them used to that."

Washing your hands often, especially after petting your dog or cat, can also help.

So can getting a HEPA filter for your home.

Hardwood floors are better than carpet, which can collect dust and dander.

And, you may want to take an over-the-counter antihistamine, which Suzie Sloan does, along several other medications.

She also rinses her sinuses twice a day with a battery-operated irrigator.

But, in in her bedroom, a problem.

Pete the dog.

Bedrooms should be pet- (or in this case Pete-) free.

"This is probably an example of what you shouldn't do with allergies," Sloan laughs. "But I'm a softie. It's hard with a face that is that cute."

So, yes, Sloan says, the pet allergy struggle is real.

But Pete and Harvey aren't going anywhere.

"Oh, no," Sloan says. "The battle is not adding another dog to our family."

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[NiOtnsgtr]

It's not 'just a congestion' for all of us.

[Juhani]

I couldn't believe the dog was on the bed. When we had a dog (and I want one again) she was not allowed near the bedrooms. Even so I couldn't sleep at night due to breathing problems. Went to the doctor who said I had allergy bronchitis. I now have to use an inhaler.
Maybe her allergy is not as bad? Trust me if it's so bad you literally cannot breathe... you don't let the dog near your bed.

[SoniaJbrt]

Just found out I'm allergic to our dog. He's just a puppy, but short hair, sheds a lot, big dog breed. Cleaned up some hair today. That's all I did for the day besides making dinner. Just felt terrible! Sneezed, sore throat, headache, tired, itchy skin. I'm never doing the hair cleaning again, it was too much.

[stateyourname]

Eversince ive had my dog my other nostril has been congested and no medecine would heal it because i play with my dogs everyday and i would sneeze and have runny nose almost everyday

[ewwwwpuck]

It's the opposite here it's easy to wash my cat but not my dog XD

[jones]

Pro Plan has a line of cat food that reduce cat allergen. I wonder if one day they will have for dogs.

[clarayes]

Moving right by the ocean and bathing in the salty water will clear allergies too.

[allerpet-demite]

Shameless plug: Many people have had great success with our Allerpet product especially if bathing your Cat does not sound like a fun idea.

[GODMODE]

Some people put their desires before common sense. Either that or they are just so incredibly lonely and dead inside, that they cannot make the sacrifice of a pet-less life for their own health.

[emileromero]

Hey anyone had mocus in airways . Shortness of breath. A lot of sneezing abd coughing

[vanshikamukheja]

Furr Coat Syrup has made a noticeable difference in my pet's coat health. It's helped reduce shedding and improve overall coat texture, making grooming sessions easier and more enjoyable. Thank you, Planet Ayurveda!

[thevoid]

I’m allergic to my dog it’s not that strong but I have to not itch my eye and I always forget it

[coleheisner]

He looks like Hitler and Freddie mercury

[poundhernation]

Not helpful at all, just basic common sense information. Yall can do better!

[rominapradosmaffia]

These tips aren’t even tips. It’s common sense. I was looking for something more 😢

[kevinpotter]

Being allergic to pets is just silly af