PET ALLERGIES CAN BE MANAGED BUT NOT ELIMINATED FOR MOST SUFFERERS

When other allergy triggers kick in, living with sneeze-triggering pets becomes even more problematic. That's why treating all your allergies aggressively will help make living with pets far easier when pollen is released in the spring.

If you can get a good night's sleep, you'll be better able to cope with almost anything, even allergies. That's why one of the best pieces of advice to those who are allergic to their pets is this: Declare your bedroom a "no-pets zone," at least during the height of spring allergy season.

That can be tough advice to follow for those of us who love to share our bedrooms, and even our beds, with our dogs and cats. (And studies say that's most of us!) For many allergy sufferers, though, establishing a pet-free sleeping area is a necessary compromise that will allow us to share our lives with pets despite our allergies.

Reduce allergy triggers further by keeping your sleeping area sparsely decorated with furnishings that do not attract dust, and be sure everything is cleaned frequently. Bedding should be washed often to combat dust mites, and pillows should be made of non-allergenic material, no feathers. Consider running a HEPA air cleaner in the room at all times.

The idea (both in the bedroom and outside of it) is to keep your total "allergy load" -- pets and other things that trigger your allergies -- to a level that you can live with or that can be controlled by medication. It's worth it to make an effort. Out-of-control allergies can make lives miserable and, in the case of asthma, can be life-threatening.

Here are more tips for those who have both pets and allergies:

Limit exposure to other allergens. Avoid strong cleaning solutions, cigarette smoke and perfumes, and consider using a mask when doing yard work and housework, especially when pollen counts are high or your home is especially dusty.

Let someone else do the dusting and vacuuming, if at all possible, and if not, invest in a vacuum that filters the air it releases. Allergy sufferers should also leave litter-box scooping to other family members to limit exposure to the allergens in cat urine. If that's not possible, again, wear a mask and wash your hands well afterward.

Keep pets well-groomed. The dirt and pollen that pets pick up in their coats can be almost as bad as the hair and dander they generate themselves. It's essential for pets to be bathed frequently and to be kept combed and brushed. Ideally, a non-allergic member of the household should assume this responsibility. Even cats should be bathed, by the way: A weekly rinse of your cat in plain water has been shown to help people who are allergic to them.

Work with your doctor. Medication -- short term or for life -- can make living with pets possible. While it used to be that many allergists recommended re-homing a pet as the first course of action, many have now accepted that pet lovers will often refuse. Allergists today seem much more willing to offer treatment options that accept pets as part of the family.

Choose pets carefully. Do everything you can to make things work with the pets you have now. But when it comes time to adopt others, be aware that some pets may be better than others when it comes to allergies. In general, dogs are less of a problem than cats when it comes to allergies, and breeds like poodles and their mixes may be easier for allergy sufferers to live with than other dogs. The fur is not the problem, in any case, so hairless pets offer no relief.

There is no such thing as a completely non-allergenic dog or cat, however, no matter what you've heard or read. The best that you can do is to work with your allergist, take medications as recommended and manage your environment -- and your pet's place in it -- to keep all the sneezes and wheezes to a minimum.

With gardening season at hand, it's important to come up with a safe strategy for eliminating snails. Many brands of snail bait are not just deadly to snails and slugs, but also to dogs, cats and birds.

Instead of laying out bait, look for snails at night with a flashlight, picking up pests and putting them in a bag that then goes in the garbage bin.

If you suspect your pet has gotten into snail bait -- symptoms include frothing at the mouth, vomiting and convulsions -- see your veterinarian immediately. Your pet's life depends on your prompt action.

The ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (www.aspca.org/apcc) offers more information on hazards outside and inside the home. Prevention is key!