House dust mites are tiny bugs found in every home, and some dogs can be allergic to them. These mites feed on skin scales and dander shed by humans and animals, making sleeping areas a common location for them. Dust mites prefer homes with high humidity, but it's important to note that a house dust mite allergy is not an indication of a dirty house. Even well-maintained homes with carpeting and high humidity will have some dust mites.
Let’s dive into 10 different steps you can take as a dog owner to limit your precious pup’s exposure to dust mites in their environment.
Steps to Take to Mitigate Dust Mite Risk
To reduce the presence of house dust mites in your home and minimize your dog's exposure to them, the following measures can be taken:
1. Stay Vigilant of Your Dog’s Sleeping Areas
If possible, keep your dog off your bed. If not, use plastic mattress covers or an impermeable barrier in your dog's sleeping area on the bed. Wash and heat-dry bed linens weekly and regularly replace bedspreads, pillows, and mattress covers.
2. Toss Those Feather Pillows
Avoid using feather pillows around your allergic dog, as they can harbor house dust mites.
3. Properly Use Dog Beds
Cover dog beds with plastic, fill them with cedar, or treat them with insecticides inside the cover. Wash the covers weekly and air out or put the beds in the dryer. Replace all dog beds every six months unless the entire bed, including the stuffing, can be laundered weekly.
4. Use Dog-Friendly Furnishings
Choose décor and furnishings that do not retain dust or are easily cleaned. Opt for closed bookshelves instead of open shelves, washable curtains instead of blinds and heavy draperies, furniture with simple designs instead of ornately curved pieces, wooden or plastic furniture instead of upholstery, and easily cleaned decorations instead of dried flowers or straw.
5. Upholstered Furniture
Any upholstered furniture used by your dog should be covered with a plastic throw cloth, such as anti-bed-wetting mattress pads.
6. Stay Away from Stuffed Dog Toys
Replace stuffed dog toys with new ones that can be laundered and dried weekly.
7. Keep Up with Frequent Cleaning
Vacuum and dust your dog's environment frequently, preferably when the dust-sensitive dog is not at home, as cleaning can stir up allergens and increase exposure.
8. Control Humidity
Use air conditioning or central heating to maintain low household humidity. Regularly change or clean filters on air conditioning or heating systems. Avoid confining your dog to areas with high humidity, such as the laundry room, bathroom, utility room, basement, etc.
9. Prioritize Flea Control
Regular use of pet flea control products is associated with lower levels of house dust mites in the home. Consider keeping all pets in your household on year-round monthly flea control if your pet has house dust mite allergies.
10. Say Goodbye to Carpeting
Large amounts of house dust mites can live in carpeting. If possible, remove carpeting or keep your pet out of carpeted rooms. If carpeting is necessary, opt for area rugs that can be machine-washed and heat-dried weekly. Sprays that break down house dust mite particles causing allergies are available, but their effectiveness is uncertain.
When in doubt, your vet can help guide you through creating a dust mite free environment that will benefit your four legged friend.
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