No matter how much you love your pet animals, their dander and fur can affect the air quality of your house. If you’re suffering from pet-related allergies, you may want a solution to this.
Speaking of which, an air purifier can help you and your furry friends – it’ll work by removing pet hair from the air and unpleasant odors.
Most pets shed dander, skin flakes, and fur throughout the year. Although you can clean out pet hair and anything that’s visible, what about the microscopic stuff that we don’t see?
In this article, we’ll discuss how an air purifier can help remove these microscopic contaminants and other ways to control this unavoidable issue.
Pet Dander and How It Affects Human Health
Pet animals such as dogs, cats, or anything with feathers or fur shed microscopic skin flecks that usually remain invisible to the naked eye. Known as pet dander, these tiny pieces of skin linger on surfaces and even in the air.
A common misconception is that the pet hair of animals causes allergic reactions in human beings. However, it is actually pet dander that triggers allergic reactions.
A recent study found that at least 3 in 10 people in the US suffer from allergic reactions to dogs and cats. Allergy from pet dander is quite common, and people with asthma or other allergy problems are even more sensitive to it.
Pet dander accumulates over time in homes, floating in the air or resting on surfaces. Steps should be taken to remove these allergens from homes periodically, as high amounts of allergen could lead to potentially serious allergy symptoms.
The natural response of our immune system is to protect us from foreign substances that get inside our body, such as bacteria and viruses, by getting rid of them from our system.
But when allergens such as pet dander enter our body, the immune system becomes too sensitive, and as a result, allergic reactions are triggered.
However, pet dander isn’t the only source of allergens from furry/feathered animals. Pet animals produce a protein that contains allergens that can be found in their saliva, urine, etc.
Symptoms of Allergy to Pet Dander
Pet dander allergy can cause a plethora of complications depending on how sensitive a person is to allergens. A person suffering from pet dander allergy may experience one or more of the following symptoms –
● Skin rash/hives
● Blocked/Runny nose
● Coughing
● Sneezing
● Wheezing
● Shortness of breath
● Irritating/watery eyes
How Air Purifiers Can Free Your House from Pet Hair
Getting an air purifier is the most effective way to deal with pet hair and dander.
The best air purifiers will filter out visible fur and microscopic flecks of dander, and depending on the model, they may also remove unwanted odors from the air.
Pets have their own allergy problems too, so having air free from dust and mold will help them breathe easier.
While various technologies are used across air purifiers from different manufacturers, the underlying principle is the same. These machines will suck up most contaminants from the air, including allergens, and push them through one or more filters. These filters trap contaminants or eliminate them entirely.
Speaking of filters, if you need something to deal with pet hairs specifically, you’ll want an air purifier with a fine mesh filter.
But for removing pet dander, you’ll need air purifiers with HEPA filters. HEPA filters are very effective in removing tiny particles that are even smaller than pet dander.
If you or someone at your house is very sensitive to pet-related allergies, you should invest in air purifiers that use multiple layers and technologies of filtration. They’re hassle-free, and there are lots of comprehensive air purifier maintenance tips and guides that you can find.
Moreover, a decent air purifier should easily remove unpleasant odors from the air, so everyone at your house can breathe easier.
Things to Consider When Getting an Air Purifier for Pet Dander
When shopping for an air purifier, it is best to conform to an air filter guide. You should keep the following things in mind –
a) Filter
As mentioned earlier, HEPA filters are most effective at treating tiny particles such as dust and dander. If pet hair is your main concern, you should opt for a model that includes a pre-filter to block larger particles.
If you have allergy/asthma issues, you should look at air purifiers that have an ‘Asthma and Allergy Friendly’ certification.
b) Size of Room
You should take into account the size of the room where you’ll use the air purifier. Air purifiers can range from just 150 sq. ft. and even more than 1,000 sq. ft.
In simple words, the bigger the room/space, the more powerful the air purifier you’ll need.
c) Noise
The most overlooked aspect of air purifiers – you should check how loud the air purifier of your choice can get. Noisy machines may actually scare pet animals!
Some recent models include a ‘Sleep Mode’ where the machine operates silently with low decibel levels like white noise.
d) CADR Rating
Another thing that you should consider is the CADR rating of an air purifier. You’ll have to assess the size of your room and find out the appropriate CADR rating for your space.
Getting an air purifier with a lower-than-required CADR will be ineffective for your purpose, and it’ll perform poorly.
On the other hand, the higher the CADR, the more effective and quicker an air purifier will be at treating the air.
e) Features
Smart devices have found their way to almost all electronic appliances – including air purifiers!
Depending on your requirements, you can look for features such as timers, filter replacement indicators, air sensors, night mode, etc.
Other Ways to Deal with Pet Dander
Pet hair and dander can get very difficult to clean. Try preventing their accumulation by following these cleaning tips –
● Use a vacuum or lint roller to remove dander from surfaces
● Clean pet accessories (toys, blankets, etc.) regularly
● Brush and bathe your pet
● Replace HVAC filters and clean air ducts periodically
● Restrict access of your pet to certain areas
● Declutter the space to reduce dander build-up
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you get dog hair out of the air?
Using an air purifier with HEPA filter(s) will help by trapping pet hair, dander, as well as other contaminants in the air.
2. Do air purifiers get rid of cat hair?
Yes, air purifiers can help remove pet dander and hair from the air within a space.
3. Do air purifier help with pet hair?
Air purifiers are usually not designed to help with pet hair and dander, but they can remove most of it from the air in your space. There are air purifiers specifically made for pet-related allergies, so you may want to look into those.
4. How do you clean fur in the air?
Using an air purifier is the most effective way to ensure clean air in a space. An air purifier with pre-filters will be most effective for removing animal fur.
Final Verdict
An air purifier can end all your dispute with pet-related allergies.
It’ll work by removing pet hair from air, eliminating unpleasant odors, and eventually making it easier to breathe for everyone.
Although there are other ways to deal with pet allergens, using an air purifier is the most effective and beneficial in the long run.
With that being said, I hope to have helped you with this article!
