Pet Dander Air Purifier

Anyone with cat allergies can find some relief by using an air purifier. I use one and find it does make a difference in the air quality. I will be adding more info on buying an air purifier for pet hair and dander.

I wanted to get a quick placeholder up to let you know this is a product I want to cover because I know there are plenty of cat owners who have cat allergies. This appliance can help cut down on your symptoms. For me it’s burning eyes, sneezing and a runny nose.

I currently use a Honeywell Air Purifier. It seems to work well, and I can notice the difference once I’ve had it on for a bit. For the most part, I use it in the bedroom. I want to be sure when it’s time to go to sleep, I’m breathing in clean, dander-free air. Or at least cleaner air. I’m not sure if the air purifier removes all traces, but I can definitely smell the difference in the air.

I bought this one online, and I’m glad I made the investment. You can find air purifiers for reasonable prices. I typically shop at Amazon or NewEgg to get some great deals.

The air purifier I bought is a Honeywell. As you can see in this picture, it has a few settings. It is recommended that you put it in an uncluttered area and that it is raised off the ground a bit. I have it on a small desk in the middle of the room.

I get more sensitive if the cats are shedding. I try to limit the number of cats in my bedroom, but I usually have a token cat who gets to spend the night. I know this may sound odd, but I’m actually more sensitive to certain cats. Cricket for some reason tends to set off my allergies more so than the others.

I remember when they were kittens and the three of them came to the house. I kept them in a separate room to get them acclimated. As soon as I walked into the room, my eyes got red and puffy. The itchiness started almost immediately. Even then, she seemed to be the one I was most allergic too. I’m guessing it has something to do with her dander. She has had some skin issues over the years too, so it may just be in her DNA.

Another option to consider is to get a good vacuum cleaner for pet hair and dander too. Vacuuming the main living areas, even if doing a quick once over, makes a difference for me. Since I love my Dyson vacuums so much, I’m looking into getting a Dyson HEPA air purifier to use in the living room.

Should You Get An Air Purifier

It’s just unfortunate that some people are allergic to cat hair and dander which spoils the fun and cause health concerns. I’m a cat owner with cat allergies, but that doesn’t stop me from loving them.

Cat hair comes off easily. Since the hairs are quite fine, they’re readily spread all over the place even with the slightest breeze. And if you have ceiling fans, that just multiplies the problem. You’ll also notice cat hair is drawn to the ceiling fans and can stick to the edges of the blades and on top of them.

About Dander and Its Effects on Humans

Dander is literally dead skin cells shed off from bodies of mammals such as cats. It comes off together with the cat hair, and it is believed to be the cause of allergy. Contrary to common belief, it isn’t the cat hair that brings about an allergic reaction for some people. The culprit is the cat dander which contains Fel D1 factor, a glycoprotein.

When allergens enter the bodies of those with a sensitized immune system to them, your body interprets them as “invaders” and then reacts to it. Therefore, the system produces immunoglobulin E, which is an antibody.

After repeated exposure to the allergen of cat dander, your immune system immediately launches. As it does, a series of activity follows including the release of histamine. As it is known, Histamine is an inflammatory chemical.

Violent sneezing, teary eyes, itchy nose, and nasal congestion are among the signs of allergic rhinitis due to cat dander. This condition can be pretty hard to deal with, especially if you are in regular contact with the allergen.

But there’s no reason to stop loving cats. There are practical solutions to combat this problem, apart from taking in antihistamine medicines. Buying an air purifier for cat hair and dander can make a huge difference.

Air Purifier as Effective Solution

Dander, which contains Fel D1 factor, significantly differs in terms of cat breed, age, and sex. Older cats shed off more dander than the younger ones. Males are also believed to produce more dander than their female counterparts.

Without being specific, there are cat breeds with less Fel D1 factor than the other breeds. I suppose if you really wanted to know where you cat ranks, you could look into laboratory fur analysis, but that is probably a bit much for most people.

Bottom line, you know how allergic you are by the severity of the symptoms you display. For me, it is red, puffy, watery eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose. I don’t need a lab to confirm how allergic I am, and I also know that the severity varies day to day.

Being a cat owner with cat allergies, I can tell you that not every day is terrible for me anyhow. I have found it helps to vacuum regularly. Also, I have invested in a good vacuum cleaner to get the fur and dander thoroughly up. On those days when my allergies are acting up, I will run my Dyson through the area.

But either with less allergen or not, the problem with cat hair and dander is still there. Even if you place your pet cats outside your house, the hair and dander still find their way into your bedsheets, on your furniture, and in your rugs.

The good thing, though, there exists the perfect technology breakthrough that filters that air surrounding your room. With a good air purifier, you and your family can be safe again from the detriments of cat hair and dander.

Air purifiers work by sucking in the air, trapping the particles, and preventing them from being released back into the space. It’s convenient to use and is well within your price range with so many to choose from nowadays.

How to Choose Air Purifiers

There are several air purifiers made available in the market these days – different brands, different materials, and different capabilities.

So how do you choose?

While this is a far cry from giving you a step-by-step guide, the tips here will surely help you make informed decisions when buying an air purifier for cat hair and dander.

Get True HEPA

First and foremost, purchase an air purifier with a true HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arrestance) filter which is capable of sifting particles of about 0.3 microns. HEPA is a mechanical air filter that works by sucking air and forcing it into a fine mesh which traps pet dander. It is also used for trapping other harmful particles such as pollen, dust mites or even tobacco.

Often those with cat allergies, also are allergic to some of these other common substances. An air purifier can help with all your allergies. It will make the air cleaner which is quite noticeable to me.

There is a need for caution in distinguishing true HEPA filters from HEPA-type filters, the latter being a form of imitation. The HEPA-type filters work fine as well, but only with bigger particles. In short, this type of filter does not have the same standard as the true HEPA filter.

Buy a Quality Brand

Choose a reputable and proven manufacturer. An air purifier may be equipped with the most advanced features, however, if it is made by a brand that easily deteriorates over time due to the poor quality of materials used, it is no good in the long run. I’ve found it’s better to spend a bit more and get something which will last.

Check online for the list of best air purifier brands over the past year or so. You want to find models which are current and have the most up-to-date features. Search for customer reviews and read them to get real information from confirmed buyers of the product. And one more thing, do not forget the warranty and the availability of service centers when choosing a brand.

Choose An Energy-Saving Air Purifier

There are air purifiers nowadays equipped with several steps of air purification technology, washable carbon filters, Plasma sensors, and many others. Despite these advanced features, you need to consider the energy consumption. Good thing that there are air purifiers with energy saving measures. It saves electricity and is friendlier to the environment.

Size & Noise

Size may be a factor too. Consider the room you want to use the air purifier in and find one which works for that space. One other option which may be relevant is the noise level. If you are putting it in a bedroom or maybe even a tv room, you may want to select one that produces less noise.

Buying air purifiers for your cat-related problems is a great solution. Not only does it help with pet allergies but it makes the air fresher and removes odors. I definitely noticed the difference once I started using my air purifier on a regular basis.