Just because you have pet allergies doesn’t mean you can’t buy your kids that puppy they’ve been begging for. Sometimes people develop allergies as they get older, and the prospect of being forced to give away a beloved companion you’ve had for years isn’t exactly attractive. Don’t fret! There are steps you can take and allergy control products to you to reduce the effects of pet allergens and many ways to minimize their presence in your home. All it takes are a few targeted allergy control products and some simple rules to help you live comfortably with your furry friends for years to come.

Dander is the key culprit when it comes to pet allergies, but there are simple changes you can make around your house that can greatly reduce your exposure to your pet’s dander. Vacuuming your house as often as you can is the most obvious step. Pet dander loves carpet. There are hundreds of thousands of tiny fibers it can hide in and hang onto. When you’re vacuuming your carpet regularly, you don’t give the dander a chance to get settled in, and if you’re using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, you’re cleaning your air at the same time. If you have hardwood floors you know how pet hair can gather in corners and under couches like tumbleweed. These should be vacuumed often as well.

Head dander off early by bathing your pet at least once a week. You can never eliminate your pet’s dander altogether– it’s like skin cells; it will always be there. But you can reduce the buildup on Fido’s fur with frequent coat care. Just make sure you use the right shampoo so that you don’t dry out your pet’s skin. Brushing is also important, but should be done outside, otherwise all the dander you brush off will fly into the air inside your house. There are also allergy relief products that you can smooth onto the coat that will cut down on the dander buildup. Ask a vet for recommendations.

It’s hard to designate a specific area for your pet, particularly if you have a cat. People think of their pets as members of the family, and you wouldn’t confine Aunt Marge to the laundry room, would you? Since most pets have the run of the house, it might be easier to designate one pet-free room. Your bedroom is a great option for this since it’s where you sleep and where your clothes are. If your pet is never allowed in your room it’s going to be harder for the allergens to get there, which will make sleeping allergy free a whole lot easier. Unfortunately, allergens are sneaky and like to travel through the air. But you can trap allergens and strip them out of the air is with an air purifier. And air purifiers don’t just trap pet allergens. They’ll clean other types of allergens and impurities from the air as well. You’ll feel better knowing that you’re not the only one in your house benefiting from cleaner air.

Pet allergies don’t have to keep you from owning a pet. Today there is a whole world of pet allergy relief products and tricks that make living with your best friend not only tolerable, but downright pleasant. For more tips on enjoying your pet, even with allergies, learn more at the ASPCA.