Do Pets Affect Indoor Air Quality?
For any family with a beloved pet, there is an innate understanding that a pet (or pets!) is an integral part of a family unit. Whether it’s a dog, cat, or even a hamster, a family pet adds joy, companionship, and love to a home. Globally, 57% of consumers own a pet with dogs being the most popular furry friend and cats following closely behind.
To ensure the health of both our two-legged and four-legged family members, it’s important to understand the impact our pets may have on our indoor air quality.
The American Lung Association defines pet dander as “tiny, even microscopic, flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, rodents, birds and other animals with fur or feathers.” Pet dander can cause reactions in people who are specifically allergic to these triggers. Allergies can range from congestion and sneezing to wheezing, watery eyes, and rashes, with children and older adults being most susceptible to reactions.
Pet dander does impact indoor air quality, but, luckily, there are solutions to ensure the health and comfort of all family members.
Consider Investing in an Indoor Air Purification System
With the right indoor air quality system, your home’s atmosphere could potentially be fresher than the air right outside your front door. A air purification system can remove 99.98% of airborne allergens and kill 88% of airborne germs and 99.99% of surface bacteria and viruses.
An air purification system could also limit or eliminate the impact of pet dander within your home, as well as other common air pollutants, such as dust.
Beyond keeping pet dander to a minimum, investing in an air purification system could drastically improve your family’s overall health and wellness. To schedule a no-cost consultation with a trusted Total Temperature technician, contact us today.
Commit to Cleaning
A highly effective way of keeping pet dander to a minimum within your home is to regularly and thoroughly clean your house. According to the American Academy of Asthma Allergy & Immunology, there are simple steps to keeping your home clean and reduce the risk of family members with allergies, such as:
Mop floors and wipe down cabinets, backsplash, and appliances weekly
Wash sheets, pillowcases, and blankets weekly in 130-degree water
Clean carpeting weekly with a vacuum cleaner that has a small-particle or HEPA filter
Wash area rugs and floor mats weekly
Grooming Helps
To prevent dander buildup and spread, brushing your pet daily can help. To avoid spreading dander indoors, opt to brush your pets outside or in a lower-traffic, easily cleaned area of your home, such as a garage. Further, giving Fluffy regular baths is an easy way to reduce dander from spreading indoors. Consult your veterinarian or local groomer to determine how often your pet can be bathed as they require a certain level of oil in their fur or hair to remain healthy.
Adjust Your Pet’s Diet
Dander can increase if Fido has dry skin. Adding foods or supplements rich in vitamins can help ensure his skin is healthy and avoid unnecessary dander from spreading within your home.
Indoor air quality is important to consider, but it’s just as important for families to understand that they can live happily and healthily alongside their beloved pets despite the presence of pet dander. By investing in a quality air filtration system and consulting a local and qualified veterinarian, there are accessible solutions to keep your home’s air clean and your furry friends happy.
To learn more about air quality and how your home may benefit from an indoor air quality system, be sure to reach out to the qualified technicians at Total Temp. Our trusted and certified team of HVAC professionals is here to help.
Whether you need 24-7 emergency service or a solution to improve your indoor comfort—at home and at work—call us at 781-224-2400 or submit a convenient contact form.
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