Grooming for Allergies

[Toby2]

My friends are all, to a man, allergic to dogs. We brush out our boy, but it just seems to make him shed more (I didn't think it was possible! Black fur EVERYWHERE).

Is there a shampoo, air freshener, vacuum clearer, brush, or other miracle product that would help our friends be comfortable in our home?

[redridinghood1313]

have you tried a shedding rake? And it might be good to groom your dog outside. My hubby is allergic to dogs. And while jack is allergen reduced (most of her shed hair is retained) she isn't hypo allergenic. I take her out to the yard to brush and comb her out and I go over her with a rake and brush and comb her again. She'll be more or less shed free for a day then.

[wftmomx2]

There is something called a furminator that many grooming salons now use. I think it is sort of a combination brush and vaccuum cleaner...not sure but it is supposed to really reduce shedding.

[portraitz]

What about shampoo?

[ZenTrainer]

There is something called Allerpet that you put on your hands and then rub your pet down with. I know people with allergies and asthma who live with pets due to this product.
You can also vaccuum very well right before your friends come over and air filters/purifiers are great too.
Plus I always ask people what number they are. On an allergy test you are a 1 to a 4. I am a 3 on dogs and cats (4 is the highest) and I live with cats and dogs, and work with cats and dogs. Many people have never been tested and they just THINK they are allergic!
I like to call their bluff.

[momof2labs]

There is also a product at petsmart that is supposed to reduce shedding. I think there are several different ones. It would be in the section with the vitamins and joint pills.

[tftmom]

I groomed professionally for over twenty years. A grooming rake is a good start. Start just above the hocks and work up the dogs back to his head in small sections. Then work along the belly and up each side and up to the head in front. Then get a fine-toothed metal comb and go over the dog again. If the dog's coat is very thick you may need to do this over several days. There are hypo-allergenic shampoos which can be helpful. Are you sure your friends are allergic to dogs and not to plant material on your dogs coat?

[Reggies mom]

My daughter has severe allergies to dogs and cats--but the allergy is to their dander not the fur itself.
She gets hives from Winston, Boston Terrier, and has no reaction to Reggie, Irish Wolfhound.