How to Combat Pet Allergies

Pet owners might not know it, but animal fur is not the main cause of your allergies; it is the tiny flakes of dead skin we call pet dander. We love our pets, but for so many people, the unfortunate side effect of keeping them inside, letting them lay in our bed and scoot around on the carpet, comes from the discomfort of allergies.

You can manage your allergies and pet dander in many different ways. Filters Fast is an air and water filtration company so we know these issues come up a lot. This is why we want to look at the issue of pet allergies and provide some suggestions that might help in managing any discomfort.

Why Do We Have Pet Allergies?

The reason why we have allergies is an ongoing debate. Studies have pointed to the body’s response of releasing antibodies to attack foreign substances as being an evolutionary advantage against venomous reptiles and flying insects like bees or wasps, cancers, and other diseases.

If true, then it suggests that while our immune system has made our bodies more resilient against many unique forces, at the same time, it has caused us to be hyper-sensitive to particles like dust, pollen, and dander from our pets.

When it comes to allergic reactions, we expect the normal symptoms of an itchy throat, congestion, and watery eyes, but for some people, being anywhere near pet dander can cause aggressive asthma symptoms. It’s so bad, in fact, that you might have to avoid some people’s homes entirely, carry an inhaler, or regularly visit your doctor for allergy shots.

Still, with the unconditional love our pets give us, it is super easy to make accommodations by managing our allergies by cleaning more often and taking the appropriate medication. We’ll leave the doctoring to doctors and instead focus on reducing the amount of pet dander, dust, pollen, and other allergy-causing particles around your home.

What Options Do You Have To Combat Pet Allergies With Filtration?

You have a few options when it comes to home filtration. The first one we want you to get in the habit of thinking about is your air conditioning system. If you didn’t know, there is a filter in there. If you haven’t checked your air filter in the past three months, we urge you to. Use our guide to sizing air filters and pick up a replacement from FiltersFast.com immediately!

This priority is for your general health and the amount of money you will save on heating and cooling bills. Our filters are made up of tightly packed synthetic fibers that, you guessed it, capture particles. This includes pet dander, mites, mold, and more, ranging from 0.3 microns (a tiny size) to 100 microns (the thickness of human hair).

How Do Air Filters Work?

Every filter has what is called dirt-holding capacity. This is the number of airborne contaminants the filter media can trap before airflow becomes restricted. When this happens, you run your air conditioning systems for longer just to change the room temperature a few degrees. So, your bills go up, and your expensive air conditioning system wears out faster.

If we look at a chart comparing MERV filters, we see that the higher the rating, the more particles are captured. This is due to the filter media having fewer air gaps. For residential applications, we do not recommend going below a MERV 8 or higher than 13.

On our chart, we see pet dander falls between MERV 11 and 13. You will notice that MERV 8 filters tend to start cheaper than higher ratings. This is because they aren’t as efficient. If your allergies are less severe, then a MERV 8 filter might meet your needs. However, you should be mindful that friends and family might thank you for choosing a MERV 11 filter so they can breathe a little easier.

How often should you change your air filter to combat pet dander?

We mentioned a few paragraphs up that you should check your filter at least every three months. If you have pets in your home and find clumps of animal hair despite regular cleanings, get in the habit of checking your air filters every month. It’s likely your filters are clogged.

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If you don’t have central air, run your AC often, or you want the best quality air you can always buy an air purifier.

Using Air Purifiers To Combat Pet Dander

When shopping for air purifiers, look around for a model that uses a HEPA filter. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. The term refers to the fact that the filter is manufactured, tested, and certified in accordance with current standards. HEPA filters then must capture 99.97% of 0.3-micron particles in the air.

See the similarity to MERV 13? For pet dander alone a HEPA filter might be overdoing it. However, since you don’t use your air conditioning system regularly, the higher filtration capacity makes the purchase worthwhile.

Keep in mind that air purifiers come in a wide range of capacities. Some are designed to work in a small bedroom or office. Others are for more open spaces like living rooms that connect to hallways and kitchens.

You should decide how much you are willing to spend and how allergies affect you throughout the day.

The Hunter Cylindrical Tower Air Purifier is perfect for those who need extra protection.

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If allergies are only a problem at night, think about buying a smaller purifier to keep in your bedroom. It is a safe bet to say that the bigger the purifier, the more you will pay. That also means it is designed to move and scrub more air of allergy-causing contaminants.

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For more information about how filtration can help you as a pet owner, please check out the following:
The One Thing Pet Owners Should Know
Gift Suggestions For Pet and Aquarium Lovers
Protect Your Pet With Filtered Water