Besides preparing your home, one of the important things to remember when getting a new pet is your health. Though these pets can be really cute and having them around to keep is surely an awarding experience, you have to make sure that everybody in the household can handle the new dog. Allergies are very common occurrences when people – especially first time pet owners and young kids – are exposed to animals, whether it be a dog, a cat, a mouse or a snake.
The most effective way to diagnose if a person has an allergy to a Shih Tzu is to expose oneself to the dog. Allergies are very specific reactions and unique to every person so there is no better way to know but to get the allergy itself. Try to look for a friend who has a pet Shih Tzu and try to stay over, preferably overnight. If you are allergic, it will surely show within minutes to a few hours of exposure to the dog. It is also better if there are no other furry animals, whether a dog or cat, in the house for you to make sure that it is just the Shih Tzu causing the reaction. Moreover, do not forget to buy an antihistamine drug and prepare lots of water before your allergy experiment. Once rashes, shortness of breath, wheals, and itchiness are felt and observed, immediately drink the necessary medications and get out of the Shih Tzu’s reach. This only means one thing – a Shih Tzu is not for you.
However, if the case is you already acquired a Shih Tzu and you found out that you are allergic to it, try to return the pup to the breeder. But if you have already fallen in love and can’t give up the pup, there are still other ways to prevent allergic attacks.
First is clip the Shih Tzu’s hair as short as possible. This will lessen the shedding of dander, which is the most common cause of allergic reactions in humans.
Second, make sure to bathe your Shih Tzu 3x a month or every week to avoid dander build up on the pup’s skin. Use a good quality shampoo and conditioner. It is suggested that you dilute the conditioner and leave it on lather on the dog’s skin to hold the dander and prevent it from falling down.
Furthermore, keep the dog away from the allergic person’s room and make sure to vacuum the floor and rugs everyday. Also, remove all carpets because these also hold dander and allergens. You can also put an electronic air cleaner throughout the house. Ultimately, see an allergist who may advise you on what’s the best thing to do with regard to your health.
Though these may not assure you of totally avoiding an attack, they are worth a try. However, if you must really give up your Shih Tzu, make sure to find him a loving home who will also take care of your little one’s health and love him as you do.
