do air purifiers help cat allergies

Remove allergens and smells from domestic animals An allergy to pet dander from cats, dogs or other domestic pets can cause all sorts of symptoms, from the odd sneeze right up to asthma attacks. If parting with your pet is not an option, you may be looking for ways to relieve your pet allergy symptoms at home. As animal allergens are lightweight and tend to remain airborne, an air purifier is a great choice. Pet dander from pet hair and shed skin can be removed with these units. As pet allergens are small (around 2.5 microns), the best air purifiers for pet allergy tend to be those with HEPA filtration or similar. Many pet air purifiers also tackle odour. A carbon filter is particularly good for removing unpleasant smells, such as those from litter trays and animal bedding. Below are our most popular air purifiers for pet allergy and pet dander. Read more information below about choosing an air purifier for pet allergy.... Items 1 to 16 of 20 total Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t really the pet’s hair that is the cause of your symptoms.

The cause is actually a protein allergen (Fel d 1 in cats and Can f 1 in dogs) which can be found in the animal’s bodily fluids. When your cat or dog grooms itself, it distributes these allergens on its fur and skin. Tiny flakes of dead skin, fur or feathers are called pet dander. When your animal sheds this dander, and you inhale or come into contact with the protein allergen, your allergy symptoms make an unwelcome appearance! How can an air purifier help with pet allergy symptoms? To relieve your symptoms and breathe more comfortably, you need to ensure you’re purchasing an air purifier with efficient filtration. It has been reported that pet allergens are around 2.5 microns in size but they can be much smaller due to their light weight. Therefore, you need to look for an air cleaner that will filter or incinerate particles down to that size. True HEPA filters trap 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in size, so you can rest assured that these will tackle a great deal of problematic allergens and irritants.

Due to their efficiency, True HEPA filters can be expensive. If your budget will not stretch to one of these, a HEPA-type filter can often perform adequately (removing 99% down to 2 microns in size). If smelly litter trays, hamster cages or dog beds are causing you embarrasment, an air purifier can help to significantly reduce odours too. Units containing activated carbon filters, along with air sterilisers, are ideal for removing smells. It's vital that you consider the recommended room size when choosing an air purifier, in order for it to sufficiently clean the air. We base our recommended room size on 3 air changes per hour. How do I maintain my air purifier? Check the product information to find out whether the filters will need to be replaced. Where necessary, it's very important to replace the filters to maintain efficient performance. Some models have washable or cleanable filters. Others, such as the Airfree, require no replacement filters at all. These are a great choice for hassle-free maintenance (or simply if you're a bit forgetful!)

Using an air purifier is not, however, a complete solution to pet allergen removal at home. You'll need to complement your air purification with a thorough cleaning regime.
do air purifier help allergiesThis could include the use of specialised pet allergen cleaning products, which will enhance the beneficial effects of air purification.
best air purifier for allergies and dustThese will denature the allergens on the pet, in the air, on furnishings and in the washing.
what are the best hepa air purifiersA clean, fresh home and a reduction in pet allergy symptoms. If you'd like some help in choosing an air purifier for your cat, dog or small animal allergy, then simply call our friendly team on 0845 450 5950 or 01453 752216.

We've been helping owners live in harmony with their pets for over 20 years! If you’d like to learn more about the symptoms, treatment and management of pet allergy, visit our Pet Allergy Information Page. We've recommended these air purifiers based on their capabilities of reducing pet allergens in the air. As pet allergy triggers are varied and unique, we can't guarantee that these units will be suitable for everyone with this condition.Signing up for MypetMD is easy, free and puts the most relevant content at your fingertips. 1. Tell us your name.: 2. How do you like to be called?: 3. What's your email address?: 5. You have a:: By joining petMD, you agree to the Privacy Policy. Home » Cat Care Center Itchy eyes, itchy noses and sneezing are never pleasant. And when it's because of a cat, well … that’s worst of all. So Why Am I Allergic to Cats? Cat allergies are caused by the proteins in a cat's urine and saliva. These proteins are also found in cat dander, dry flakes of skin found in the fur.

If you are allergic to cats and decide to get one, then you’ll be happy to learn most people tend to build up a tolerance to these allergens over time. There are also specific regimens allergic people can follow, as well as medication to help alleviate their symptoms. How Can I Learn to Deal with Cat Allergies? If you or one of your loved ones are allergic to cats and are not helped by medication, what can you do? Other than replacing your loved ones (this is not usually recommended) or getting rid of your cat, there are some ways to reduce the effects of allergens in your home.People don’t understand how much of a difference a cat's daily grooming and a thorough house sweeping can make when dealing with cat allergies. Keep the surfaces and floors as fur-free as possible, and the reactions to the cat’s allergens should also diminish. Floors and carpets can especially be a haven for the cat's hair and dander, so vacuum them often and take the rugs out for a cleaning -- preferably more than once every spring.

Another way to reduce the effect of cat allergens is to try (emphasis on "try") and bathe the cat every four to six weeks using a cat shampoo. This will help remove the cat's dander buildup, extra hair, and saliva, which contains a natural deodorant and cleansing agent that causes allergic reactions. Rinsing the cat is important and may prove difficult, as most cats don't like being in water. Combine that with its claws and agility, and you may be in some emergency room type of trouble. But seriously, have a trusted friend or family member sponge bathe the cat while you hold it down. An air purifier can sometimes be a great weapon against allergens. It will help remove impurities from the environment and although more expensive, a commercial purifier usually works better than a regular one. Routinely brushing the cat's hair will also reduce the amount of fur (and thus dander) floating in the air. While not always practical, going to a doctor for an allergic exam can be advantageous.