Pets are family, but don’t let their dander be too

5 tips for reducing your pet’s impact on indoor air quality
 
Nearly 70 percent of Americans own a pet[1], with cats in 27 percent of homes and dogs in 32 percent of homes.[2] Whether short haired or long haired, big or small, there are millions of furry pets across the country that fill our hearts with love — and the air in our homes with dander.
 
While pets are proven to offer many health benefits, the negative impact they have on your indoor air quality is pretty hard to disguise. Though many believe it is the fur itself that causes the problem, it’s really the dander that is the culprit in poor indoor air quality.

Pet dander is made up of flecks of skin shed by animals with fur or feathers. The dander particles are extremely small, so they are light and can stay airborne for a long period of time, even longer than dust mites! They also easily get stuck on fabrics which can be difficult to clean.
 
Allergies to pet dander are quite common, and respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, can be triggered by pet dander. Pet dander can lead to symptoms including sneezing, watery eyes, rashes and general respiratory discomfort.
 
Whether you or a loved one is allergic to Fluffy and Fido, or, just the idea of breathing in pet dander makes you uncomfortable, here are some simple tips to help reduce your pet’s impact on the indoor air quality in your home.

 

1. Regularly bathe and brush your pet

Daily brushing and regular bathing can help shed your pet of excess fur and dander, leaving less dander to circulate in your air and spread onto your carpets and furniture.

 

2. Frequently clean surfaces, furniture, floors and carpets

Using a vacuum with pet-specific attachments and a quality filter can capture fur and dander in your carpets and on your fabric furniture and floors. Microfiber cloths also effectively help gather fur and dander that has fallen on tables and countertops, reducing dander that can spread in the air.

 

3. Change air filters more frequently than directed

If you have a pet, you will need to change your furnace air filter more frequently than the manufacturer’s directions. The more pets you have, the more dander produced so keep that in mind as you plan how often your filter will need to be replaced.

 

4. Keep pets out of your sleeping areas

Air health is especially important in bedrooms to allow for quality sleep, so if possible, keep pets out of sleeping areas. To better improve the air where you sleep, consider installing an exhaust fan to help remove airborne dander all together. The Broan® SurfaceShield™ Vyv™ antibacterial light technology Exhaust Fan is a great option because it combines effective ventilation with an antibacterial LED light to protect against mold, mildew and bacteria which can be brought into the room by pets.

 

5. Consider installing a Fresh Air System

For those with the most stubborn dander problems, or those really looking to maximize their indoor air quality, a Fresh Air System from Broan not only exhausts out airborne dander and allergens, but continuously brings in fresh air to replace it.