How to improve indoor air quality if you have pets
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Our pets also affect the indoor air quality in our homes. Find out how your pets can affect the quality of the air you breathe and what you can do to protect both you and them.
Pets make us feel better, often calming us down when we're sad (no, not fish!) and entertaining us with their funny ideas and funny moves. Pets, on the other hand, are not exactly "friendly" with floors, sofas, furniture or - unfortunately - with the air quality inside our homes.
Meanwhile, the daily residence of a four-legged friend almost always means an extra dose of cleaning, but this is not enough. Unfortunately, our beloved pets affect indoor air quality, increasing pollutants and aggravating allergies and asthma.
Indoor air quality and pet dander allergies
In addition to CO₂ and dirt production and hair loss, pets pose an additional risk to allergy sufferers. The most cited study on this topic is in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, which found that around 10-20% of the world's population suffer from allergies to pets, especially cats and dogs.
Another important source is the World Health Organisation (WHO), which reports that about 15% of the world's population suffers from pet allergies. Among them, cat allergies are more common than dog allergies. Specific studies have shown that about 10% of the population may be allergic to dogs and up to 15% to cats.
How do pets affect indoor air quality?
Like humans, animals shed dead skin in the form of dander. Dander from mammals such as cats, dogs, rabbits and hamsters has a negative impact on indoor air quality. More specifically, it contains proteins that are a trigger for allergies and asthma in many people. Unlike most allergens, animal dander and other pet allergens linger in the air for a very long time.
They are microscopic particles that cannot be cleaned or eliminated because they are invisible. And because they are jagged in shape, they stick easily to carpets, furniture, clothes, shoes and other things you bring into your home.
Pets worsen human allergies and asthma
It seems that many people, even if they have received a medical diagnosis of pet allergy, would rather endure the symptoms than get rid of their cat or dog. Of course, if you can tolerate sneezing, rashes and muscle aches for love, things become more difficult when you have allergies or severe respiratory diseases.
Not to mention the fact that sometimes it is our furry friends who have allergies and disorders.
Anyone who suffers from asthma or allergies knows the symptoms: runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes and shortness of breath. Or coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. All ailments that force pet lovers to give up the irreplaceable emotional bond that is created with pets.
But is it really? Is there no solution?
Read on to find out.
How can I improve my indoor air quality if I have pets?
In general, it is important to keep the house as clean as possible to reduce pet dander and to remember to always brush your pet's fur and paws after a walk before entering the house.
Vacuuming may not be enough to reduce the impact of cats and dogs on air quality. Pet dander is made up of tiny flakes of skin, accompanied by saliva, which causes allergy symptoms.
While hair is easier to spot, pet dander is so tiny that it can become airborne and circulate throughout the home. Getting rid of pet dander could be the key to reducing allergy symptoms.
How to reduce your pet's impact on the environment and air quality in your home
No, we won't give up cats and dogs and switch to fish or reptiles, but we will equip our homes with an air purifier that can remove odours and animal hair. The most effective air purification system to date is the VAV (controlled mechanical ventilation).
Unfortunately, regular washing of the pet only temporarily helps to remove allergens from the air. However, as the "science" approaches the problem, you can continue to enjoy the company of your little friends without worrying too much about sneezing, itchy eyes and other allergy symptoms.
How to remove dander and pet hair from the air at home
As mentioned above, dander is microscopic and you only notice its presence if you are allergic: because it can be transported through the air, it can cause allergic reactions or asthma symptoms in some people.
Pet dander is considered a form of indoor air pollution because it can linger in the air for a long time, often several hours, before settling on surfaces. These are the ones that children and pets come into contact with most often.
Ventilation is the most appropriate solution to improve indoor air quality, but ventilation alone may not be enough to reduce the risk. Windows and doors should also be opened at least once an hour for 10-15 minutes and then ... goodbye energy saving!
Air purifiers may be partially useful, but they do not change the air. If you want to keep your home warm in winter or cool in summer, a controlled mechanical ventilation system (CMS) is the best solution.
Mechanical ventilation:
- automatically manages air exchange
- dilutes and removes up to 98% of all airborne particles such as pet dander, allergens, mould spores, bacteria, viruses and pollen
- Filters incoming air and disperses unpleasant odours.
If allergens and air pollutants are kept to a minimum, they are much less likely to cause allergy and/or asthma symptoms.
Of course, mechanical ventilation is also the best choice for animal well-being, eliminating internal pathogens and letting in fresh, filtered outside air, especially if our four-legged friends suffer from animal respiratory diseases.
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