We love our pets. They’re beloved members of our family, just as your pets are to yours. In fact, it’s proven that pets make us happier. However, living with pets can also present its own set of problems in your healthy home, leading to odors, decreased indoor air quality, and potentially allergies, asthma and even long-term respiratory issues. They can even carry parasites, bacteria and viruses that can affect health. As a pet parent, maintain a healthy home for you, your family and your pets.

Pets Can Affect Health Via:

• Dander
• Saliva
• Excrements
• Misc. Particles in Fur

We typically think of fur as the main cause of pet allergies, when in fact small proteins found in pet dander, saliva, and urine are the most common cause of pet allergies. These proteins easily attach themselves to fur as your pet goes through his or her daily routine of cleaning, eating, playing and sleeping. These allergens are then spread throughout the house as the pet sheds.

Pets who are considered ‘hypoallergenic’ often shed less, therefore tend to trigger fewer allergic responses. So, even if you have a pet that is considered hypoallergenic , allergens can still be present. If you are a person who has a hypoallergenic pet at home, but find that your allergy symptoms still bother you from time to time, consider taking additional steps such as washing bedding, vacuuming, and utilizing an air purifier to further limit your exposure to pet allergens.

The Do’s & Dont’s

Do’s

• Consider installing a whole home air purifier to relieve your home of pet allergens
  • Whole home air purifiers can help reduce the amount of pet dander, hair and odor accumulating in your home. Consider using high-quality MERV air filters to help your home sift particles from the air more efficiently.
• Maintain a clean healthy home
  • By continually cleaning your home, you’re more likely to keep your home free of pet dander and allergens. Wash your bedding, vacuum and dust often to limit exposure to pet allergens.
• Bathe your pets often
  • Bathing your pets consistently keeps them clean and healthy, which, in turn, keeps you and your family clean and healthy.
• The little things necessary to keep you and your family safe from animal borne illness
  • Practice proper hand washing after interacting with animals or disposing of their waste. Limit eating or drinking when around animals. Take your pet for regular vet checkups to keep your pet healthy. Also make sure to regularly check for ticks.

Dont’s

• Underestimate the use of room air purifiers
  • It’s never a bad idea to use a room air purifier in high-traffic pet areas to give your home that supplemental burst of fresh air. The Aprilaire Allergy + Pet9550 comes with a Special Pet Hair & Dander Trap that’s reusable, easy-to-clean and can help eliminate pesky pet allergens and odors in your home.
• Allow your pets on furniture or in rooms where people are allergic
  • By keeping pet traffic to a minimum, you’re more likely to increase indoor air quality throughout specific areas of your home.
• Place litter boxes in high-traffic areas
  • If you own cats, make sure their litter boxes are covered and placed in areas of your home that you and your family don’t often visit to minimize exposure. Likewise, be sure to clean the litter box often to maintain a clean healthy home.

“Short-haired or hairless animals contribute dander and allergens to indoor air pollution just as effectively as long-haired animals do. There is no such thing as a non-allergenic dog or cat.” -American Lung Association

Whether you own a hypoallergenic pet or not, it’s important to do all the little things necessary to maintain a healthy home. Look into installing a whole home air purifier in addition to using a room air purifier in high-traffic pet areas, and be sure to keep a lean home. This should prevent unwarranted allergy and asthma triggers from causing any harm.

Article Credit: Aprilaire

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Pharo Heating & Cooling is a full-service HVAC contractor in Madison. Our team provides top quality service for new construction and replacement furnace and air conditioner needs. For more information about annual furnace inspection or concerns, give us a call at 608-849-5410 or submit a contact form through our website.