Pets are amazing companions and are a great addition not only to our homes but to our lives as a whole. 57% of people around the world have pets—33% own a dog while 23% have cats—and out of this number, 90% think of their pets as part of the family. Because who wouldn’t love the adorable looks and innocent things our furry friends do? They are the pack that will literally never leave your side.
From dogs, cats, rabbits, and many more, they offer endless benefits to owners such as improving your mood and overall mental health, even just by simply staring at them for a few minutes. However, there are a couple of drawbacks too! Pets can adversely impact the indoor air quality of your home.
Find out in this article how pets affect indoor air quality and what you can do to improve it and just enjoy moments with your furry friends without worries.
How Do Pets Affect the Indoor Air Quality?
If you have furry pets in your home, you might have felt the air a bit stuffy. Don’t worry, it’s not your imagination. Animals that have fur may bring dander and other allergens that can take a toll on the indoor air quality of your home, which can negatively impact your and your family’s health.
Pet Dander
It is the microscopic flakes of skin shed by your pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, rodents, and any other animals that are covered in fur. In the US, it has been estimated that 10% to 15% of their citizens, or 3 out of 10 are allergic to pet dander.
The American Lung Association said that pet dander can trigger allergies depending on the case. It ranges from congestion, sneezing, wheezing, watery eyes, dizziness, rashes, fever, and breathing problems. Children and older adults are the most susceptible to this, especially when it already has a great impact on indoor air quality.
Other Allergens
It’s not only pet danders that can make the quality of the air poor. There are also other allergens from our pets including proteins founds in urine, saliva, feces, and many more. Since pet dander and allergens are lightweight and tiny that you cannot easily see them with a naked eye, they can remain in the air for a long time and can stick to materials at home like furniture, bedding, fabrics, and many other solid things at home.
That’s why if you truly want to ensure the health of everyone at home, managing your pet’s dander and other triggers of allergies is the first step.
How to Keep a Healthy Indoor Air Quality
Pet owners should be more cautious when it comes to indoor air quality because of the health concerns it can bring to everyone around, even your furry friends. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can do to make sure your home’s air quality is good.
1. Use a Reliable Air Purifier
Get a trusted air purifier that can help enhance your home’s air quality. Air purifiers are equipped with the air filtration that can trap even the small particles in the air like pet danders and other allergens, especially if the unit you picked is using a high-efficiency particulate air filter or HEPA filter that can capture up to 99.97% of the airborne particle with the size of 0.3 microns. It can help eliminate or lessen asthma and allergy symptoms.
When buying your air purifier, it is important that you read facts first about choosing the best air purifier on the market. This will help you land the most ideal device for your home. It would also help to talk to professionals who can provide you with more important insights. But one of the first things to take note of, air purifiers have their capacity limit according to room size so better check the size of your room and the features of the air purifier you’re eyeing for. This will help your air purifier run efficiently at its best.
However, an unmaintained or dirty air filter can make the situation worse instead of doing its original purpose. It will only circulate all the debris it captured to continue functioning. That’s why it’s vital to have your air filters (and the unit as a whole) to be checked, cleaned, and properly maintained.
Also Read: 10 Important Air Purifier Jargon You Should Know
2. Clean Your Home Regularly
Maintaining a clean home is one of the keys to healthy indoor air quality even when you have no pets. Vacuum the surfaces, mop the floor, clean the materials around with microfiber clothing, and many more. This will help remove and reduce not only pet danders and allergens but the overall airborne particles that are harmful to your health.
Use cleaning materials that do not have an impact on the air. Check the ingredients and maybe the reviews as well if possible.
3. Give Your Pets a Regular Grooming
Giving your furry friends some pamper time can not only reduce the harmful particles but also help make them feel fresh and better. Brush your pet’s fur to lessen the shedding and clean their kennels and bed, litter boxes, and other areas and materials they regularly use.
Some more solutions you can do to keep a healthy indoor air quality are:
- Wash your hands regularly, especially after touching your pets.
- Keep litter boxes away from air vents.
- Avoid fabrics that can accumulate dander (rugs, carpets, cloth drapes, etc.).
- Regularly clean air ducts and everything at your home.
- Have a dedicated bed or an area where your pets can stay most of the time.
Breathe Easy and Healthy
Pets are our best friends, but make sure you don’t compromise your health. Share a happy and healthy life with your pets by following the tips to improve indoor air quality.
When it comes to your home’s indoor air quality, talk to professionals. Buoyant can guide and assist you with everything you need to know from the basics to choosing the best air purifier for your home. Get in touch with us to know more.
