Do air purifiers help with pet allergies? If you are a pet lover, I’m sure furry animals are some of your greatest companions. Pets such as cats, dogs, rabbits, and ornamental birds spice our living spaces and make our lifestyle more fulfilling. However, pets constantly shed dead skin cells commonly known as pet dander that float in our indoor air. When inhaled, it can lead to allergic reactions such as sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and coughing.
If you are struggling with pet allergies, you might be eager to know whether air purifiers help with pet allergies.
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In this article, we shall look at whether air purifiers can help with pet allergies and the best air purifiers for pet allergies to buy.
What Causes Pet Allergy?
Pet allergy is caused by a protein allergen which is found in pets’ bodily fluids such as saliva and urine. When pets are grooming or urinating, they transfer this protein allergen to their skin and fur which becomes a component of the pet dander that they shed regularly.
Pet dander is lightweight and it floats in the air, thus, lowering your home’s indoor air quality. When inhaled, it can lead to allergic reactions and respiratory issues after a long exposure.
Luckily, there are measures that you can take to control pet allergies in your home and improve the quality of your indoor air. One of the proven household gadgets that can help you deal with pet allergies is an air purifier.
How Can an Air Purifier Help with Pet Allergies?
An air purifier with the right air purification technology can help alleviate the symptoms of pet allergies and help you and your loved ones breathe better. Pet allergens that float in the indoor air are tiny microscopic particles of 2.5 microns or smaller.
For you to effectively eliminate them, you need to invest in quality air purifiers with higher efficiency levels.
Air purifiers fitted with True HEPA air filters are effective in controlling pet allergies. True HEPA air filters can trap up to 99.9% of common indoor air pollutants as small as 0.3 microns including pet dander and other pet-related allergens that are responsible for allergic reactions.
If you are also struggling with pet odors, consider buying an air purifier fitted with activated carbon air filters as they are excellent in absorbing pet odors and other household Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
Air purifiers that use UV-light to destroy airborne pollutants molecular elements such as allergens and pet dander can also help with pet allergies though they have a risk of discharging ozone gas into your indoor air.
When shopping for the ideal air purifier to help with pet allergies, it’s important to consider your room size as it has a direct impact on an air purifier’s effectiveness as defined by Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ratings.
A Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), is a measurement that indicates how much an air filtration system can filter and deliver per minute. A higher CADR rating represents a more efficient air filtering process. The higher the CADR ratings, the cleaner the air it delivers.
Do air purifiers help with pet allergies? FAQs
Below are some of the frequently asked questions about air purifiers and their effectiveness in dealing with pet allergies.
Do air purifiers help with dog allergies?
Yes, air purifiers help with dog allergies. HEPA air filters trap pet allergens that float in your indoor air preventing them from re-circulating back and triggering allergic reactions.
Do HEPA Air Filters help with cat allergies?
Air purifiers help with cat allergies. They are effective in trapping 99.9% of common indoor air pollutants including pet allergens. Cat allergens are small and you need to buy an air purifier with an air filter that can capture cat-related allergens as small as 0.3 microns.
How do you clean a room with pet allergies?
A room where the air is contaminated with pet allergies should also be cleansed to supplement the efforts of an air purifier in purifying the indoor air. Consider regular cleaning and vacuuming your pet’s rooms and bedding. Pets should also be groomed as clean and healthy pets release minimal pet dander and allergens.
Wrapping up; Do air purifiers help with pet allergies?
If you struggle with pet allergies and still need pets to keep you company, it’s advisable to invest in an air purifier that is effective in dealing with pet allergies. Air purifiers fitted with True HEPA air filters are the best choice when shopping for air purifiers that can help with pet allergies.
However, you can’t rely on air purifiers alone when dealing with pet-related allergies. Deep cleaning your home on a regular basis and maintaining pets’ hygiene is highly recommended as it helps fight the accumulation of pet allergies.