We so often hear about people who move in with their girlfriends, boyfriends or new spouses only to find themselves miserable because they’re allergic to the pet that came along with the house. For the pet owner, it’s terrible to have to choose between giving up a beloved animal companion and a watching a friend suffer from allergies to it. Fortunately, that choice may be avoidable, says Dr. Phillip Raclyn, director of Yorktown Animal Hospital.    

Raclyn says one key to reducing the allergic burden on people with pet allergies is diet—the pet’s diet, that is. “Feed the pet an excellent food that is all-natural and grain-free,” he says, “and add omega-3 fatty acids to the diet, as well as a great supplement we carry called Bio-Coat.”   

A medical option for the allergy sufferer is a custom-made vaccine that can be created from a cat’s dander or a dog’s fur. “These vaccines can, over time, greatly reduce the symptoms of allergies to pets,” Racyln says.

Tip: “Brush your pet frequently—outside the house, if possible.”

Yorktown Animal Hospital is located at 271 Veterans Rd., Yorktown Heights, NY. For more info call 914.962.3111 or visit VETSnyc.com.