People love sharing life with pets. More than half (57 percent) of people around the globe own an animal, according to a GfK study, and 90 percent consider their pets part of the family. Dogs are the most common pets owned globally, with 33 percent of households owning a dog, followed by cats at 23 percent.
So many furry friends in the home inevitably leads to dander, which can take a toll on your home's indoor air quality and even your family's health.
The American Lung Association notes that pet dander can often trigger allergies that range from congestion and sneezing to wheezing, watery eyes, and rashes. Children and older adults typically feel the biggest impact of poor indoor air quality.
Fortunately, there are some simple steps pet owners can take to improve their home's indoor air quality and enjoy a happy, healthy life with pets in the home.
Explore a Whole-Home Air Purification System
About half of people with pet allergies don't show symptoms right away. It can sometimes take years for reactions to pet dander to surface. Rather than watch and wait, enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a whole-home air purification system, such as the PureAir™ S from Lennox.
While many air-cleaning systems filter out particles, remove germs, or attack odors, this purification system provides a whole-home solution that combats all three major indoor types of air contaminants: airborne particles, germs and bacteria, and chemical odors and vapors. The PureAir™ S removes 99.9 percent of all particles, such as pollen, dust, and pet dander. It also removes 99.9 percent of household and pet odors.
Commit to Cleaning Regularly
You can also address indoor air quality by sticking to a regular cleaning schedule for both your home and your pet. Regularly bathe your pet and brush them outdoors to limit dander from spreading throughout your home.
It's also a good idea to routinely vacuum with a machine that includes a HEPA filter, which prevents dust from being exhausted back into the household. The American Academy of Asthma Allergy & Immunology recommends vacuuming and washing area rugs and floor mats weekly. Depending how much your pet sheds, you might consider vacuuming more frequently.
When your pets live indoors, you should also have your air ducts cleaned more frequently than normal. Pet hair can gather in the ducts and cause problems in the future, so invest in having your ducts professionally cleaned every three years.
In the winter it's even more important to maintain a regular cleaning routine since the cold weather prevents many people from opening their windows and ventilating their homes.
Make Your Bedroom a Fur-Free Zone
To enjoy the best night's sleep, you need to have great air quality in your bedroom. While nearly half of all dogs sleep in their owner's bed, according to the American Pet Products Association, you should make your bedroom off limits if you want to improve your indoor air quality.
However, if you must snuggle with your beloved pet, explore Indoor Air Quality solutions from Lennox, to reduce the amount of pet dander in the air.
Breathe Easy
You shouldn't have to worry about the air your family breathes, and you should be able to live comfortably with your furry friends at your side. Talk to your Lennox® dealer to learn more about improving your home's indoor air quality with pets.
