Pet Allergies? 9 Ways to Better Indoor Air Quality

68% of American households or almost 85 million families in America own a pet. While dogs, cats, and other types of pets play an important part in the family dynamic, some difficulties come with keeping a furry friend inside the home. From the challenges that come with potty training a pet to shedding that characterizes dog breeds like German Shepherds, animals can negatively affect the quality of the air you breathe. But do they have to?

With a bit of maintenance and prevention, it is possible to keep pets inside the home while simultaneously maintaining optimum indoor air quality.

How Pets Contribute to Deteriorating Indoor Air Quality

Pet dander is made up of minuscule particles of skin that are shed by animals with fur or feathers. It also is one of the leading causes of allergies in the United States, as pet dander contains a specific type of protein that can trigger allergic reactions. This protein is also found in the urine and saliva of many household pets, meaning that pets will often leave traces of this allergy-causing protein throughout your home. Every time your cat licks itself while bathing or your dog drools over its favorite toy, the protein is spreading throughout your home. This results in allergens floating in the air.

Since the protein molecules that cause allergies on cats are much smaller (1/10th the size of standard dust allergens), they tend to stay airborne for more extended periods of time. Thus, having cats inside the home often causes more severe allergies, though people with sensible allergies can also be affected by dogs.

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While pet dander and saliva-based proteins are two common allergens, homes with birds such as parakeets, cockatiels, or parrots, should also be concerned about another allergen. Pet birds regularly harbor mites that live on their feathers and feed off of the dander they produce. Dust mites are another severe problem that affects indoor air quality and is closely related to having birds in the home. 

How to Mitigate Pet-Related Allergies

If someone in your household suffers from pet-related allergies, you do not necessarily need to get rid of your furry companions. Below, we look at four things you can do to maintain optimum indoor air quality for pet-loving homes. 

1. Don't Blame Pets for All Allergies

First things first, many allergy sufferers are not only allergic to pets. If someone in your home suffers from allergies, it's essential to receive a professional proper diagnosis. Understanding allergy sufferers' sensitivities is an essential first step.

2. Limit the Spaces Where Your Pets Can Go

Limiting the space where your dog or cat can roam throughout the home is one strategy to limit your exposure to allergens. In homes where a shedding dog can sleep on the couch in the morning, the kitchen in the afternoon, and your bed in the evening, the spread of allergens will be significantly higher. The pet protein that causes allergies has a unique ability to attach to household materials. A dog or cat that has free range throughout the home means that you will have that protein embedded in every area of the house. 

If you were to keep your dog or cat confined to specific rooms or areas, it would be much easier to keep that area of your home clean and rid of the potential allergens.

3. Keep Pets Away from Air Vents

One of the worst things you can do is to place your cat’s litter box or your dog’s bedding in front of an air vent. The blowing air will capture some of the pet dander and allergy-causing proteins and blow it throughout your home. Instead, keep your pet’s private space in corners where airflow is minimal and where you can easily clean regularly.

4. Keep Pets Away from Carpets

As any homeowner who has attempted to clean up a new puppy “accident” knows, pets and carpets don’t go well together. Besides being harder to clean, carpets often harbor pet dander, pet hair, and anything else that is brought into the home. It's also challenging to clean your carpets when your cat misses the litter box or your dog tracks in dirt after playing outside. Make sure to keep pets in areas of the home where FSC certified hardwood floors or ceramic floors are present. 

If you are remodeling, consider eliminating carpet altogether, as carpeting can exacerbate unhealthy indoor air quality.

5. Reduce Pet Allergies with a High-Quality Air Filtration Device

HEPA filters stand for high-efficiency particulate air filters. As a mechanical filter, they force air through a fine mesh that traps allergy-causing air particles such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and others. HEPA air filters are found in almost every air purifier, and they can be added to a whole-house air handler as well. They can also be found in certain types of vacuums. Make sure that when you vacuum areas where your pet has been, that you properly dispose of the allergens instead of blowing them throughout the room. 

These home purification technologies are also a great way to get rid of pet dander, allergens, and other common indoor air pollutants in your home. In a passive house with an extremely tight envelope, installing a heat recovery ventilator or energy recovery ventilator will allow you to get rid of the stale, allergen-infested air without compromising the energy efficiency of your structure. 

6. Protect Your Bedding 

If you absolutely cannot stand the idea of not letting your dog or cat into your bedroom, make sure to cover your mattress with an allergen-proof mattress protector such as this one offered by Linenspa. These inexpensive covers can protect your mattress and pillows from getting permeated by pet dander and allergens. 

7. Bathe Your Pets on a Weekly Basis

Bathing your pet weekly can easily reduce the level of pet-related allergens in your home. It's important to read the label and select cleaning products made for your pet. Veterinarians and local pet stores can assist you in selecting the most appropriate cleaning products. 

8. Brush and Clean Your Pet Outdoors

Brushing your cat or dog inside directly deposits excess pet dander in your home. If you can, try to brush your furry friend outside, where the fur and dander can fly away.

9. Pet-related Allergy Treatments

If all else fails, allergy shots (immunotherapy), antihistamine and steroid nasal sprays, or antihistamine pills are common treatments that allow people to enjoy their furry friends. An allergy specialist can assist with the proper treatment to ensure the best results. Often, homeowners will combine allergy treatments with other methods such as house cleaning, air-purifying, or removing carpets.

Bottom Line

While pets inside the home certainly can cause problems to your indoor air quality, it is possible to limit exposure to allergens and mitigate pet allergies. The suggestions described above will help keep your indoor air cleaner and healthier.

Article by:

Tobias Roberts

Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.