How to Help Cat Dander

Cat dander is more than a mere annoyance. If you suffer from cat dander allergies, you may endure harsh adverse health effects from these tiny hair and skin particles. Cat dander does not need to inhibit your ability to own or bond with your beloved pet, however. By keeping dander under control, you can minimize negative health effects while maintaining a clean home and ensuring that your cat's coat remains soft and clean.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat brush
  • Dander-relief cat shampoo
  • Towels
  • Paper towels
  • HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner
  • Steam cleaning vacuum
  • Carpet shampoo
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Instructions

    • 1

      Neuter your male cat. According to Vet Info, neutering can result in less allergen-rich dander in your male cat. You can neuter your cat at almost any age, but WebMD recommends waiting until the cat is at least eight weeks old.

    • 2

      Brush your cat every day with an appropriate brush. Use a hard brush for short-haired cats, and use a wire brush for long-haired cats. If you suffer from cat dander allergies, have someone brush the cat on your behalf, as you will receive excessive exposure to dander while brushing.

    • 3

      Bathe your cat once a week. Place about three inches of lukewarm water in your sink, place the cat slowly and gently inside and use your hand to distribute the water along the fur. Lather a dander-relief cat shampoo along the fur coat and rinse with warm water. Use towels to dry. It may take a while for your cat to adjust to the process of bathing in water, so remain patient and go slowly.

    • 4

      Dampen a paper towel with warm water and wipe down the cat's fur coat once per day. This will remove all of the loose fur, skin and dander, dramatically reducing the amount of shedding. You may want to do this a few hours after brushing, to ensure ongoing removal of dander throughout the day.

    • 5

      Maintain a clean home to prevent the buildup of dander. For excessive dander, you may need to vacuum your carpet as often as once per day (using a HEPA-filtered vacuum). The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends steam-cleaning your carpet regularly for best results. Additionally, dust all of your furniture, wipe down countertops, windowsills and any other surfaces where your cat frequently walks.