This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
We love those four-legged friends, but for some people there’s also the allergy-inducing issue of pet dander — not to mention that doggy odour. If that sounds (and smells) familiar, it’s time to get an air purifier.
An air purifier acts as a filter for your home, removing irritants from the air. This includes germs and pollutants — great for preventing the spreading of unwanted nasties and improving your indoor living conditions.
But where to get started? One air purifier looks very much like the next, so how do you know which one is best for your home? Particularly a home with pets? That’s where we can help.
How do air purifiers work?
Air purifiers are designed to remove particulates from the air, which range from bacteria to viruses but also include pet dander and fur. For people sensitive to or allergic to some particles in low-quality air like smoke, pet dander, or pollution, this decreases the appearance of allergic symptoms and generally makes it a bit easier to breathe. Air purifiers with HEPA filters can remove particles as small as 0.3 microns, much smaller than the usual dander that floats around your home.
Why are air purifiers good for pet owners?
For families or households in which someone has a pet but someone else has an allergy, air purifiers can help keep the air clean and reduce allergy symptoms like sneezing and headaches by filtering particulates like dander, fur, and dust from rabbit or guinea pig bedding. And, as stated above, they can also help eliminate pet odours, so if you have a few pets, the air in the house will be a little fresher. Not every air purifier removes dander and fur, though, so be sure to check before buying.
Where should you position an air purifier?
The best place to keep air purifiers in your home is as close as possible to the source. If you have a dog or cat that spends a lot of time snoozing in their beds, place the air purifier close by so the dander and allergens are filtered out right at the source. The most important thing is to match the air purifier to the size of the room (or area if it’s open plan) so you know that the air purifier is covering the volume of space.
Do you need to replace air purifier filters?
Some machines have removable filters that you can vacuum. Other machines have you replace the filters every so often. While vacuuming or wiping them off with a cloth is a more eco-friendly option, replacement filters are the most effective option for overall air quality.
What is the best air purifier for pet owners?
We’ve rounded up the best air purifiers for homes with pets. Whether you’re a cat or dog person, there's something for everyone — not to mention every pet and budget.
These are the best air purifiers for pet owners in 2023.
