How to Get Rid of Dog Dander

Dander is tiny flecks of dead skin cells. Even though dander is microscopic, it can cause serious allergies in people.[1] If you are allergic to your dog’s dander, getting rid of the dander will help lessen your allergies. Because dander can land on just about anything in your home, getting rid of all the dander probably won’t be possible. Strategies for getting rid of most of the dander and reducing how much your dog sheds will involve grooming your dog, keeping your house clean, and taking care of your dog’s health.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Your Home

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    Dust your home. Keeping your house clean on a regularly basis will help get rid of a lot of your dog’s dander. For example, you should dust your home frequently (at least once a week) with a damp cloth. Dusting with a damp cloth will trap the dust and keep it from getting in the air.
    • Be thorough when you dust. Don’t just get rid of the obvious dust. Target any areas that could collect dust, such as furniture (lamps, toys) and windowsills.
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    Vacuum your home. Dander can easily get stuck in carpet and upholstered furniture.[2] After you finish dusting, vacuum your home. If possible, use a micro-filter bag in your vacuum to prevent the dander from leaking out of the bag and back into your home.[3]
    • Vacuums with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arrestance) filters are great for removing dog dander.[4]
    • Vacuum bags are available at your local home improvement store.
    • Use the vacuum's hose extensions to vacuum upholstered furniture, like couches and chairs.
    • Throw away the vacuum bags before they get full. If you have a bagless vacuum, empty out the container before it gets full.
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    Discard rugs and carpets. Because rugs and carpets can trap your dog’s dander, consider removing all carpets and rugs from your home.[5] Replace the carpet with easy-to-clean flooring, such as tile or hardwood floors.
    • If you are renting your home or apartment, or replacing the carpet would be too expensive, you will need to vacuum the carpet frequently.
    • If you do not want to throw away your rugs, wash them regularly with hot water.[6]
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    Do the laundry. Items such as pet beds, couch pillows, and curtains can trap dander. To get rid of your dog’s dander, clean these items regularly (a few times a month) in hot water.[7] If they are too large or awkward to fit in your washing machine, consider going to a laundromat, which would have larger washers and dryers.
    • If you allow your dog in your bedroom, wash your own bedding (comforter, sheets, blankets) frequently.
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    Use HEPA air filters throughout your home. HEPA air filters can remove your dog’s dander from your home.[8] If you are handy, purchase HEPA air filters at your local home improvement store and install them yourself. You could also hire a professional company to install the filters.
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    Open your windows. Opening the windows isn’t a cleaning chore, but it can help get rid of your dog’s dander. Having the windows open will increase air circulation in your home and remove the dander.[9] Open the windows when the weather is nice.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Grooming Your Dog

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    Bathe your dog. Just like humans, dogs constantly shed dead skin cells. Bathing your dog, preferably outside, once a week with a dog-specific shampoo will help reduce the amount of your dog’s dander in your home.[10] Here are some tips for bathing your dog:
    • Apply a gentle conditioner to your dog’s fur and skin after the bath. The conditioner will keep your dog’s fur and skin moisturized and reduce dander.
    • Don’t bathe your dog too frequently. Frequent baths can dry out your dog’s skin, increasing the amount of dander.
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    Brush your dog. Regular brushing will spread healthy oils throughout your dog’s fur and skin. These oils will keep the fur and skin healthy and help reduce shedding and dander. Regular brushing will also remove loose flakes of dead skin.
    • Brush your dog outside to reduce the amount of dander in your home.[11]
    • If you are allergic to the dander, ask someone who isn’t allergic to brush your dog.[12]
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    Wipe your dog down with a damp cloth. When you let your dog outside or take your dog for a walk, wipe it down with a damp paper towel before coming inside. Wiping down your dog can loosen and remove flakes of dead skin. Doing this outside will help keep dander out of your home.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Improving Your Dog’s Health

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    Feed your dog a high-quality diet. Your dog’s diet can affect its skin health. If your dog’s skin isn’t healthy, it may shed dead skin cells more frequently. A high-quality diet that is complete and nutritionally balanced will help reduce the dander.
    • Discuss your dog’s current diet with your vet. They can determine whether your dog should switch diets.
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    Give your dog fatty acid supplements. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplements can help keep your dog’s skin healthy and reduce dander. Before adding the supplements to your dog’s diet, talk with your vet. Your vet can recommend a high-quality supplement.
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    Take your dog to the vet. Health problems, such as fleas and thyroid problems, can affect your dog’s skin health and make shedding more likely. If your dog’s skin doesn’t look right, or your dog is really itchy, take your dog to the vet. They can perform different tests to diagnose your dog's health problem.
    • By treating the health problem, you can get rid of at least some of the dander in your home.
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Warnings

  • Leaving your dog outside won’t get rid of the dander because, after interacting with your dog, you will carry its dander inside on your clothes.[15]
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  • Finding your dog a new home will help get rid of the dander, but may be an emotionally difficult decision to make.[16]
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References

  1. ↑ http://www.aafa.org/page/pet-dog-cat-allergies.aspx
  2. ↑ http://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/indoor/indoor-air-pollutants/pet-dander.html
  3. ↑ http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/pet-allergy
  4. ↑ http://www.aafa.org/page/pet-dog-cat-allergies.aspx
  5. ↑ http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/pet-allergy
  6. ↑ http://www.aafa.org/page/pet-dog-cat-allergies.aspx
  7. ↑ http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/allergies_pets.html
  8. ↑ http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/allergies_pets.html
  9. ↑ https://www.missionallergy.com/?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=55
  1. ↑ http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/allergies_pets.html
  2. ↑ http://www.aafa.org/page/pet-dog-cat-allergies.aspx
  3. ↑ http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/pet-allergy
  4. ↑ http://www.aafa.org/page/pet-dog-cat-allergies.aspx
  5. ↑ http://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/indoor/indoor-air-pollutants/pet-dander.html
  6. ↑ http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/pet-allergy
  7. ↑ https://www.missionallergy.com/?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=55

About This Article

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Co-authored by:
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. This article has been viewed 32,604 times.
14 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 8
Updated: March 29, 2019
Views: 32,604
Categories: Dog Grooming
Article SummaryX

To get rid of dog dander in your home, start by dusting at least once a week with a damp cloth, which traps dust and keeps it from getting in the air. Then, vacuum any carpets and upholstered furniture, like sofas and chairs, where dander can easily get stuck. Additionally, wash your rugs regularly with hot water, or consider replacing them with easy-to-clean flooring, such as tile or hardwood. You should also launder curtains, couch pillows, and other household fabrics a few times a month and consider installing HEPA air filters to remove dander from the air. For tips from our Veterinary reviewer on how to brush and bathe your dog to reduce dander, read on!

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