COPD and Living with pets-Lovego Weekly Report

Weekly Report

COPD and Living with pets

Having COPD comes with various challenges, and sometimes, it may mean having to give up some things that are important to you. Between having to modify your home arrangement and give up strenuous physical activities, you may also need to decide whether or not you can still keep your furry, four-legged friends.

It is common knowledge that having pets in the home, especially cats, dogs and other animals that shed fur, may be a cause for concern if you have COPD. Animal dander, in some cases, can make symptoms more severe, and can even be a trigger for exacerbations. Despite all these, many COPD patients have opted to keep their pets close, and so far have been able to manage well.
Additionally, studies do claim that animal therapy, or the presence of a pet in the home, does have certain benefits such as stress relief and as an aid in coping with the disease. If you have a pet or are thinking of getting one, yet are concerned with the challenges it may pose to your condition, here are some things you can do to make sure your pet doesn’t contribute to any COPD exacerbations.

Have an allergy test. This is one of the first and most important steps you should do before considering keeping an old pet or getting one. This test usually involves either a skin test or a blood test, where medical laboratory personnel try to determine which substances you are allergic to. If results show that you aren’t allergic to animal dander and fur, then you can keep your furry friend close by. If, unfortunately, you are allergic to this, you may have to consider going without a dog or cat, as allergens trigger mucus buildup and airway constriction, which can lead to exacerbations. As you can see, this test can ultimately determine whether or not you can have furry animals inside your home. You can ask your doctor where you can get an allergy test done.

Vacuum regularly. Once you decide to keep a pet, you should maintain your indoor area free from pet dander and fur. Choose a high-powered vacuum to do the job for you, as such models are more efficient and do a more thorough job. Set a regular schedule for vacuuming your carpets and rugs to eliminate any fur, dander or dust that may trigger COPD symptoms. Make sure to get all the areas around your home that your pet goes to, since eliminating as much fur and animal shedding is crucial. If you’re unable to do the vacuuming regularly, you can also ask a family member or friend help every now and then.

Opt for hardwood or tiles. Instead of the usual carpeted floors, you can take a big step to reduce animal dander in your home by going for hardwood or tile flooring instead. Though carpets may be more comfortable for you and may be easily vacuumed, they are actually more difficult to maintain. Over time, dust, animal dander and fur can get lodged and tangled into the carpet fibers and may not be readily removed by vacuuming. Tiles and hardwood are much more convenient to clean, and you can be sure that no particles get stuck or lodged into cracks and fibers. Replacing your carpet with hard flooring is ultimately an investment for your health.

Check your litter box. Anywhere there’s a cat, a litter box isn’t far away. Though such things may seem quite innocent, a number of kitty litter brands can have dust issues. Pouring out the litter usually raises dust, which can severely irritate the airways. There are actually litter brands that are low-dust alternatives, so better choose from among these types. If you can’t find one, another resort would be to have someone else do the litter-changing for you.

Bedrooms should be kept pet-free. No matter how much you love your pets and want to be around them all the time, you have to see to it that your health is kept a priority. Thus, this “no pets” rule should hold, even if just in your bedroom. Your room is where you spend 6-8 hours of your time sleeping, and as much as possible, should be the area that is impeccably free from any allergens or irritants. So unless you want to vacuum your room every day and change the sheets every night, keep your pet away from your bedroom at all costs. This will make sure that you have a place to run to whenever your COPD symptoms get overwhelming and if you need an escape from the other areas of the house.

Choose an appropriate pet. If all else fails and your cat or dog can’t stay with you, you can opt to have another type of pet that doesn’t shed and give off dander. Such options are getting a fish aquarium, a bird, or a small reptile (an iguana or lizard can do). On the brighter side, such types of animals do not require a high level of maintenance around the home. These options can also help cheer you up with their charm and color.

While life may be easier without a pet to clean up after, anyone who has had a dog or cat can understand how precious such companions can be. Though many people enjoy the presence of a cat on their lap or a dog beside them, the presence of these companions is all the more comforting to people who have certain health challenges. Ask any pet lover, and you’ll know that the joy and cheer these pets bring is more than enough to make up for the extra effort needed to keep the home neat and clean.


Do you have a pet of your own at home? We’d love to hear your tips and stories on living with pets despite having COPD!

Lovego Service

Email: service@oxygencare.cn

Tel:86-0755-23733851

Add: Building B, LC Hi-tech Park, Longhua District, Shenzhen, China