Who doesn’t love and enjoy the company of cats and dogs? They entertain people with their funny antics and play endlessly.
Not to mention how cute and caring they are, providing emotional support during depressive moments.
But on the not-so-fun side, these cute furry creatures can negatively impact your home’s interior.
Pet dander from your cats and dogs may affect the air quality of your home, causing health concerns, such as allergic reactions and serious illnesses. But first, what is pet dander?
Contrary to what most people know, pet dander is not your pet’s hair. Instead, it’s a dead skin cell so light it can suspend and stay afloat in the air and settle on your furniture and upholsteries.
The problem with pet dander is its tiny size, which is relatively microscopic. However, pet hair still plays a vital role in promoting animal dander.
It also acts as a medium, bringing in dust and dirt outdoors and spreading it around your home.
Furthermore, discover the impact of pet dander on your indoor air quality below.
Cats And Their Allergy-Causing Protein
Cats and dogs usually cause pet allergies. But did you know that cat allergies are twice more common than allergies from dogs? Why? Because it’s believed that feline pets produce an allergy-causing protein called Fel D 1.
Fel D 1 protein is a microscopic particle that can spread across your home through air circulation. It may trigger allergies, especially in people allergic to pets, and degrade your home’s indoor air quality.
On top of that, Fel D 1 is so sticky, causing it to remain on your objects and surfaces for long periods. Also, it’s believed that the primary producer of this allergen is male cats, especially those that haven’t been neutered.
So, are there any pets that may not cause you allergies?
If you’re suffering from mild to moderate allergies, you may have considered taking in ‘hypoallergenic’ pets. But sorry to break your expectations, no pets are considered 100% hypoallergenic.
Fortunately, some pets may not be as allergenic as others, particularly those little ones with shorter hair and fewer skin cells.
Pet Dander Can Fill Your Air With More Dust
If you have pets, you may have noticed that your home has more dust than before. That’s a sign of a severe pet dander problem.
Why?
Because you can now perceive microscopic particles circulating in your home, meaning they’ve already accumulated far worse than you might expect.
To minimize dust particles caused by excessive pet dander, clean and vacuum your home regularly. You may also consider hiring professional home cleaners to remove particle buildup, especially in hard-to-reach areas of your home.
Pet Dander Worsens Allergy Symptoms
Consistent exposure to pet dander may not only trigger your allergy but also worsen its symptoms.
At some point, you may find yourself coughing and sneezing most of the time. You may also experience a severe runny nose and teary, burning, and itchy eyes.
If such symptoms persist, don’t hesitate to call your doctor right away for medications you might need to suppress and treat your allergies.
Also, you may consult your pet’s vet for your furry buddy’s pet dander concerns. This case means that your issue with pet dander is already severe and needs immediate action.
If you want to know how to get rid of pet dander, you may consult nearby vet clinics—they explain how you can make your pets dander-free at all times.
You can also check out some tips below on how you can reduce pet allergens across your home.
Pet Dander Can Induce Asthma Attacks
Allergies are not the only medical issue you should be wary of when struggling with pet dander. You should also be aware of potential asthma attacks triggered by severe exposure to animal dander particles.
You may reduce the animal dander around your home by grooming your pets regularly. However, it’d be best to let professional pet groomers do the job, especially if you have asthma.
Also, it’s recommended to bathe your pets at least twice a week to minimize the accumulation of allergens.
If you decide to groom them yourself, ensure to use gloves, an apron, or a dust mask to protect yourself from allergens. You may also consider using an allergen-reducing soap to reduce pet dander from your cats and dogs.
What Are Some Ways To Minimize Pet Dander From Your Home?
Here are some ways to help you reduce and prevent pet dander from accumulating around your home:
• Change Your HVAC’s Filter
The role of HVAC is to filter dust and dirt particles circulating across your home. So, it’s vital to change or clean its filter frequently to strain microscopic particles effectively and keep your indoor air quality healthy.
Furthermore, it’s advisable to equip your HVAC with high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) filter that can trap almost 100% of particles, including animal dander. These filters can give you extra protection against the allergens brought by your cute, furry pets.
• Use Indoor Air Purifier
Indoor air purifier functions similarly to HVAC but more efficiently. With this helpful gadget, you’ll be able to get rid of pet dander circulating in the air as much as possible. However, air purifiers can’t do all the jobs alone. You still need to bathe your pets and vacuum your home regularly.
• Keep Your Pets Away From Furniture
Pet dander particles can stick to surfaces, and cleaning them away is not easy. Hence, it would be best to keep your pets away from furniture, such as couches, where animal dander may stay for long. If this sounds impossible, try to replace your furniture fabric with ones that repel pet hair for easy cleaning.
• Remove Your Shoes Before Entering Your Home
Animal dander outside may remain on your coats and shoes. To prevent such particles from circulating across your home, remove them before you enter. It can keep all the dirt and dust outside and preserve positive indoor air quality.
Final Words
Pets are great additions to any household. However, they can negatively affect the air circulating across your home, leading to poor air quality. They can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks and fill your home with dust.
That said, it’s essential to minimize the allergen brought by your pets as much as possible. Always clean your home and bathe your pets regularly to keep pet dander at bay, preserving the healthy level of air throughout your home.
