Are Air Purifiers Safe for Pets?

Having an air purifier at home is a great way to improve the quality of your indoor air. It removes impurities from the air like pollen, dirt, cigarette smoke, germs, household odors and pet dander.

So air purifiers are beneficial for pet owners— but are air purifiers safe for pets?

Why air purifiers are beneficial for pet owners

Pets shed hair, feathers, fur, and dander that may pose perennial problems at home. Your feline and canine pets love to lick themselves and deposit saliva, which contains allergens that become airborne.

They also shed off dust and hair when they scratch and shake off. The same goes for other furry pets like guinea pigs, hamsters, and gerbil.

Additionally, birds have interlocking feathers that shed dust every time they move or flap their wings.

Birds’ urine and feces, when dried, turn to dust and can become airborne. This can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks.

All these things can trigger health problems in humans, meaning air purifiers are greatly beneficial for humans sharing a home with animals. But air purifiers are also helpful for the pets in the home, too.

Why air purifiers are also good for pets

An air purifier provides a lot of health benefits, not just for you and your family but also for your pets. Read on to find out how your pets can benefit from having one in the house.

Minimize pet allergy and asthma flareups

Pets can also have asthma and allergies, and it’s as harmful to pets as it is to humans. It is more common among cats than dogs, but nowhere near prevalent as it is in humans.

Nevertheless, if you care for your pets you should consider investing in an air purifier, especially if you notice symptoms like raspy and dry cough, lack of appetite, unexplained weight loss and respiratory distress, among others.

Improves pet sleep

As you’ve probably noticed, pets need more a lot more sleep than humans. Dogs sleep for 12 to 14 hours per day, while puppies as much as 18 to 20 hours. Cats also need a lot of sleep, about 15 hours on average per day.

Impurities in the air may trigger health problems that disrupt pets’ sleep, so having an air cleaning system around can help improve overall pet health.

Eliminates hazardous radon

Radon is a naturally-occurring odorless radioactive gas; it can cause lung cancer in both people and animals when they’re exposed to high concentrations. Radon exists naturallyin the atmosphere and is also emitted from some building materials like granite, soil and rocks.

Prolonged exposure can damage the cell linings of the lungs, and animals are just as susceptible to developing lung cancer as humans. An air purifier can eliminate radon from indoor air, ensuring safety for humans and pets.

Gets rid of toxic asbestos particles

Some old insulation pipes and roofing materials may contain asbestos. Roofing materials may be outside of your house, but they shed dust containing traces of asbestos.

Exposure to asbestos dust may lead to lung cancer. However, an air purifier equipped with the right filter can help eliminate these asbestos particles from the air, making your home safer for animals as well as humans.

Which types of air purifiers are safe for pets?

You’ll find all different types of air purifiers on the market. Some are effective in removing pollen and dust particles.

Others can remove toxic gaseous substances from the indoor atmosphere, while other types are not recommended for homes with humans and pets. It’s important to get familiar with the different types to find out what’s best for your home.

HEPA filters

These are fitted with High-Efficiency Particulate Air, or HEPA filters. This type of filter is effective in removing pollen, allergen and tobacco smoke. Likewise, it can remove tiny dust particles as small as 0.3 microns in size. (The smallest particles our eyes can see are 50 microns in size.)

This type is commonly found in more households today because HEPA filters work well in getting rid of microscopic air pollutants and smoke alike.

Electrostatic precipitators

This type utilizes high voltage electric energy that charges the particles as they pass through the filters. Charged particles are then attracted to the collecting plates, removing them from the outgoing air.

These are commonly used for the removal of ash and soot from exhaust fumes, and ideal for homes with industrial complex within the vicinity. Occasional cleaning of electrostatic plates may be required, increasing the maintenance cost.

This also releases ozone, with potentially damaging effects to the lungs for both humans and pets, alike.

Activated Carbon Air Purifiers

This works great in trapping odors, and perfect for those who are facing mold buildup and smell problems at home. However, it has limited air cleaning coverage.

It cannot capture harmful bacteria and viruses like HEPA filters do.

Ozone Generators

Ozone generators are relatively effective in getting rid of bad odors by applying an electric charge to the air as it passes through. This causes some normal oxygen atom to split apart into unstable single atoms, therefore releasing ozone.

Some manufacturers may claim their products are safe, but it is best to steer clear of these types of air purifiers.

Ultraviolet Light Air Purifiers

UV air purifiers utilize short-wave ultraviolet rays to eliminate germs present in the air. It utilizes UV lamps to inactivate airborne microorganisms and pathogens, thereby disinfecting the air.

Ready to buy an air purifier for your pet?

Both humans and pets can benefit greatly from an air purifier. They also share the same health risks that some types may cause, such as those that emit ozone.

So, going back to the question: Are air purifiers safe for pets? The answer is yes — just be sure you choose the right type.

One that is fitted with a HEPA filter would be ideal for ensuring safety for humans, babies and pets. However, if you want to deal with the foul smells that pets can cause in your home, you’ll need to get one equipped with an activated carbon filter as well.

To decide which air purifier will suit your situation, check out our Best Air Purifier Reviews.