Control pet hair and dander in your home
Are you a pet owner? If yes, you are one of the 12 million Filipinos who take care of a pet or pets!* Filipinos are especially fond of dogs and cats, and almost every household has at least one of these fur babies. While these companions bring us joy, we must still be wary of the other effects of owning pets.
The Danger of Dander
Our dogs, cats, and other pets with fur or feathers, shed dead skin cells also known as pet dander. Pet dander is composed of tiny, microscopic flecks of skin that can cause reactions in people who are specifically allergic to these triggers^. Because of their size, pet dander can be airborne and stick to our furniture, sofas, curtains, carpets, bedsheets, and clothes. These particles are small enough to get into the lungs, and can cause minor irritation, to severe breathing problems.
An Allergic Reaction
People who are allergic to pets are mostly affected by dander, along with other allergens present in pet fur, saliva, urine, and feces. These can be carried on clothing and can get into the air when an animal is petted or groomed. The dander can settle on floors and furniture, which can become a problem if not removed thoroughly. Thus, an allergic reaction can happen even if the affected person hasn’t been near an animal. For some people, exposure to some animals can cause severe breathing problems. Highly sensitive people can begin coughing, wheezing and having shortness of breath within 10 minutes of inhaling animal dander.
Suggestions to Help with Pet Allergies
Our pets are part of our family and we always want to be with them. But what can we do to control their dander, fur, and reduce allergic reactions?
- Remove your pet from the bedroom. One-third to one-half of your time at home is spent here. Keep the bedroom door closed and clean the bedroom aggressively. Make sure to frequently wash your bed sheets and blankets. You might want to consider using a better-than-HEPA air cleaner in your bedroom.
- Keep surfaces throughout the home clean and uncluttered. Allergens are everywhere, so frequently vacuum and use a dusting attachment to remove dust and dander from your floors, furniture and drapery.
- If you have a carpet, you might want to steam clean it often. It’s also best to wash your rugs regularly and in hot water.
- Change and wash your clothing after prolonged exposure with an animal.
- Use multiple air cleaners with better-than-HEPA filters throughout your home to help reduce airborne allergens.
- Wash and brush your pet outside every week to help reduce the amount of pet dander.
- Clean the litter box or cage as much as possible.
The FilterQueen Defender portable room air cleaner will help keep the air in your home clean and odor free so you can enjoy your pet even more! It is recognized by the FDA as a Class II Medical Device, and filters 99.99% of airborne pollutants down to 0.1 micron. Its companion, the Majestic Surface Cleaner, captures 99.98% of dirt, dust, pet dander, and pet hair. See for yourself how the Defender and Majestic can help create a cleaner, healthier home environment for you and your family–fur babies included!
* https://petkeen.com/pet-ownership-statistics-philippines/
^ https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/indoor/indoor-air-pollutants/pet-dander.html
