The other day, my husband and I were talking about The Brady Bunch ( our kids love watching it on TVLand and think every show from the 1960’s/70’s is The Brady Bunch). We reminisced on our favorite episodes, and besides the one with Davy Jones from the Monkees and the one where MArcia breaks her nose, the one with the allergies ranked high.

If you recall the show, the middle daughter is allergic to her dog, Tiger, or so she thinks. The family all covertly bathes the dog trying to get rid of any allergens. She still sneezes, though. But in the end, it’s really the flea powder, not the dog and all is well.

But what if you really are allergic to your dog or cat, or someone else in your family is? Do you have to give up the pet? Before doing so, here are some things to try according to The Humane Society of the United States:

-Don’t assume your furry friend is the problem. Dust, mold, smoke, pollen and insecticides are a few other allergens to consider. Get tested if you’re not 100 percent certain it’s your pet.

-Establish a pet-free zone, preferably in your bedroom. (Admittedly I don’t always practice what I preach!)

-Ditch the carpet and heavy drapes. Wash remaining allergen-attracting items (pet beds, bedspreads, slipcovers) frequently. And keep your home uncluttered to make cleaning easy.

-Wear a dust mask while cleaning, and use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. HEPA air cleaners can also offer relief.

-Ask an allergy-free person to clean the litter box or cage. Enlist help for brushing your pet regularly, as well. My husband brushes our cats, then uses a wet rag to rub them down thoroughly. I groom the dogs, but always outside in clothing I change afterwards.

-Discuss treatments options with your veterinarian and your doctor.

-Feed your pet high-quality food to decrease shedding and skin flaking.

One mistake people make is to exile the pet outdoors. The HSUS stresses that while banishment may reduce allergy symptoms, it adversely affects the physical and mental well-being of the animal. Companion animals should be just that: companions. Furthermore, every time family members interact with the pet, they carry into the house not only the animal’s allergens, but all of the outdoor allergens (pollen, grass, dirt, etc.) that accumulated in the fur, as well.

The HSUS recommends if you are thinking about getting a pet but not sure if someone in your household may be allergic, go for a test run by spending time with dogs or cats. Volunteer in an animal shelter or dog sit or spend the weekend with a friend with a pet. Also, remember, many studies have shown that for children, growing up with a pet had loads of benefits, including being less prone to allergies.

Please don’t make the commitment to have a pet, though,and then realize it’s not working only to get rid of the pet.