Air purifiers can help to remove allergens from the air, but does an air purifier help with pet odors? Yes, they can, and while some types of air purifiers are safe for pets, there are some that you should avoid. With the use of a good, pet-safe air purifier, the air in your home stays fresh and ready for visitors.
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Remove dander and allergens
HEPA, or high-efficiency particulate, air filters are a great option if you have pets in the home. Not only is this type of air purifier safe for your furry friend but it also filters out dander, dust, mold, bacteria, and other particles from the air. Do air purifiers help with dog smells? Unfortunately, they do not. HEPA air filters do not filter smaller particles and odors.
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You will need to clean or replace the filters in these air purifiers on occasion. The frequency depends on the size of the filter, the size of your room, and the number of particles the purifier filters on a daily basis. The owner's manual for your unit will provide more specific information.
Remove odors from the air
If you are concerned about pet odors, activated carbon, or charcoal, filters are an effective option. As air passes through the filter, the sulfur and other odor-causing particles bind with the carbon, leaving fresh-smelling air in the room. These types of filters are safe for your pets, but keep in mind that this filter does not remove any particles from the air. You will need to clean these filters regularly.
Remove microbes from the air
UV light air purifiers work by treating the air that moves through the filter with UV light. This kills many of the pathogens that may be floating in the air. UV filters may be found in hospital settings, but they may not be necessary for your home situation, especially because they don't eliminate odors or remove pet dander from the air.
However, they are safe for pets if you do opt to use this type of filter. Just make sure you don't open it, as direct contact with the UV light may be harmful.
Air purifiers to avoid with pets
Not all air purifiers are safe for pets, and there are two other common types of air purifiers you may find on the shelves: ozone and ionizer filters. An ozone air purifier and cats and dogs are not a good combination. Ozone is made of three oxygen molecules, and this third molecule binds with odor-causing molecules in the air, removing smells from the room. However, ozone is not a safe compound for people or pets and can cause respiratory problems.
An ionizer for pet odor can be quite effective. It works by creating a positive or negative charge on atoms, and these charged atoms, or ions, bind to odor-causing particles, removing them from the air. Are air ionizers safe for pets? They are not. These air purifiers also create ozone. Although the quantity is not as high as you would experience with an ozone air purifier, it is still best to avoid these units.
Choose a pet-safe air purifier
Fortunately, you don't have to choose between a filter that removes pet dander and one that will remove odors. Many air purifiers include multiple types of filtration. Be sure that all methods of filtration used are safe for your precious pets. You can also consider the size of the unit you will need. A small, plug-in air purifier for pets may be effective for a small room, but you may need a larger unit for bigger rooms or your whole home.