Pets are awesome. They snuggle us when we’re sad, give us energy when we’re lagging, and they’re always around to help us through the day. Whether you have a dog, cat, domesticated raccoon, or who-knows-what, however, pets leave things behind. Things like dander and hair.
Pet hair is self explanatory. We all know what it is. What many people don’t know is that pet hair and pet dander aren’t the same thing. Pet dander is microscopic flakes of skin that are produced mainly by pets like cats, dogs, birds, and rodents. Most people are allergic to pet dander, even if they don’t seem allergic to their pets. It’s important to maintain your home’s air quality so your family and your pets can all live together comfortably.
We’ve compiled a few best practices for staying on top of home air quality. Follow these to keep breathing easy, even when you have pets.
REGULARLY REPLACE THE FILTERS IN YOUR HOME HVAC SYSTEM
Air filters in the homes of pet owners clog faster than air filters in homes without pets. If you have a pet, commit to changing your home’s air filters at least once every three months. If you have more than one pet, we recommend making the change even more frequently, like once per month.
ONLY USE A VACUUM THAT HAS A HEPA FILTER
HEPA capture allergens like pollen, mold spores, dust, fur, and–you guessed it–pet dander. Regular vacuuming is critical to stemming the tide of potentially troubling pet dander. Using a HEPA-equipped model vacuum will give you the extra boost you need to make a big difference.
BATHE YOUR PET REGULARLY
Mitigate the amount of pet dander hanging in the air by addressing the problem at its source: your pet. Regular bathing reduces how much your pet sheds and cuts down on how much dander it releases.
Fair warning, though: bathing your pet too often can dry out their skin, resulting in even more pet dander. Don’t soap ’em up more than once monthly.
TRAIN YOUR PET TO SLEEP IN THEIR OWN BED
If allergies are a problem in your home, they’re going to be significantly exacerbated by allowing your furry friend to sleep with you. Dander likes to cling, and having it cling to your bedding makes sleeping more difficult than needs be.
If pet dander in the bedroom is a significant problem, consider investing in allergen-protective covers on your mattresses and pillows.
GET AN AIR EXCHANGER INSTALLED
Air exchangers remove stale air and contaminants from your home and replace old air with new, fresh air from outdoors. It’s no surprise that taking the leap and having an air exchanger installed in your home will be a great benefit to you and your family.
Your pets are your family… they’re just slightly stinkier family. That’s okay! By taking these steps to help prevent a decrease in indoor air quality due to your pets presence, everyone living in your home will be happy.
Whenever you need help or advice when it comes to your home’s air quality, you can always call on the experts at Blue Ox Heating & Air for the direction you may need.
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