Can You Really Vacuum a Cat?
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CLEVELAND , Ohio - (August 11, 2009) - As temperatures rise this month, people aren’t the only ones shedding layers—cats are also thinning their coats for the steamy days ahead. While clumps of cat hair can be annoying to clean off upholstery and carpet, what can be even more annoying is the reaction many allergy sufferers have to the little tufts.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not cat hair that is the allergy culprit. People with cat allergies are actually reacting to proteins in cat saliva that can be found on cat hair, and the proteins in urine and dander (dried flakes of skin).
Despite the sneezing and wheezing, cat owners often don’t have to give up their pets to live in allergy-free harmony. There are several strategies for coexisting without irritation. Check out these tips from www.cleanhomeideas.com to learn more.
Tips for living with a cat allergy:
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If possible, invest in a central vacuum system and use it at least twice weekly. Traditional vacuum cleaners may be able to capture shedding fur, but they also often re-circulate particles of dander right back into the indoor air. A central vacuum system, by contrast, pulls nearly 100 percent of all particulate matter into a hose that transports it to a sealed container away from living spaces. If you can’t get a central vacuum system, at the very least use a vacuum cleaner equipped with a Hepa filter.
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Believe it or not, some cats will actually tolerate being vacuumed gently, and a few even consider it a treat! It might be worth a try. There are special pet-vacuuming attachments available for central vacuum systems. Pets seem to tolerate these because the noise level of a central vacuum system is substantially lower than that of a traditional vacuum cleaner, so the sound is much less alarming to an animal’s sensitive ears.
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Regularly wipe down flat surfaces and walls with a dampened cloth.
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Try to contain the cat’s living area. At minimum, the cat should not be allowed in bedrooms. An alternative is to allow the cat to go outside, which eliminates a good deal of the hair and dander that would otherwise end up in the house. Just make sure the animal is neutered or spayed.
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Replace drapes and curtains with slatted blinds.
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Always wash your hands after petting a cat, and avoid touching your face — especially the eyes. If you are very allergic, avoid touching Fluffy altogether.
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Ask your vet about a special spray you can apply to your cat’s coat to minimize dander.
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A non-allergic housemate or family member should clean the litter boxes regularly and brush the cat, preferably outside (use a leash in case the cat hates being brushed and tries to run away).
If your allergies persist, ask your veterinarian or doctor about other alternatives. For more tips for controlling allergies, visit www.cleanhomeideas.com.
About www.cleanhomeideas.com:
The site is sponsored by H-P Products, Inc., a Louisville, Ohio-based manufacturer of central vacuum system floor care products, including the VACUFLO® and Dirt Devil® lines of central vacuums.
