Are you a pet owner? So many people are, and they not only consider pets a part of their life, but also a part of their family. This means that pets occupy space within homes, both inside and out, and are oftentimes in areas that humans spend a lot of time in. What does this mean for you? What makes pets so fuzzy and cute—their fur—can carry a lot of allergens and indoor air pollutants, including dust, dander and elements from the outdoors such as pollen.
Because of this, pet owners would be wise to pay attention to the quality of their indoor air. While everyone can be affected by poor indoor air quality, pet owners are even more susceptible due to the nature of owning a pet.
Healthy Indoor Air Quality Tips for Pet Owners
To prevent poor indoor air quality, it’s smart to consider what you can do to keep your home free of common pollutants from pets. One of the most problematic of these pollutants is dander. Dander is found on cats, dogs, rabbits, and other furry pets, and is essentially microscopic particles of dried skin. It is so problematic because, it, not pet hair, is the leading cause of people’s allergic reactions to pets. It can also cause considerable problems for your indoor air quality; even people without pet allergies can suffer bad effects from airborne dander.
Prevention is Key
Prevent poor indoor air quality by preventing it from getting the dander from getting out of hand in the first place. Follow these guidelines:
- Bathe your pet or pets exactly as recommended by your veterinarian. A pet with clean fur and skin will produce far less dander to be spread around your home. It’s also much more comfortable for Fido or Fluffy if you groom them regularly.
- Make sure that your pet always has plenty of fresh water available at all times. If you’re not home during long stretches of the day, it would be smart to consider an automatic refilling water bowl for your pets. Water keeps your pets’ skin healthy and hydrated, which also helps prevent excess dander.
- Another way to prevent excess dander from forming on your pet and accumulating around your home is to brush them regularly. This will help remove dander form the surface of their skin as well as keep their coat healthy.
Don’t Neglect Your HVAC System
- Get regular maintenance on your home’s HVAC. Maintenance is essential for keeping your HVAC system running smoothly, but it is also a big part of keeping up good indoor air quality. This is even more important in homes with pets, since dander and pet hair can accumulate in the ductwork, air filter, and other areas of the system. During a service check, a trained technician will inspect your system and communicate to you any potential issues with your unit before it become an expensive problem.
- Upgrade to a HEPA filter. This will ensure that your HVAC system’s filter is trapping a good amount of airborne pollutants. There are also special filters made especially for homes with pets. Whether you stick with a traditional filter or upgrade, you will always benefit from regularly changing your air filter in a pet-friendly household. Check monthly for buildup and replace as necessary, never going more than 4 months without replacing.
If you’re located in the Burbank area and are in need of maintenance on your HVAC system, give us a call today. Since 1963, we have served over 65,000 local happy customers. Schedule an appointment today with our friendly and professional technicians. (818) 348-4768.
