Being a pet parent is one of the most rewarding experiences in life. Whether you share your home with a dog, cat, reptile, bird, or a mix of different animals, pets provide a special form of companionship and sense of comfort that enhances your overall quality of life.
While the pros far outweigh the cons when it comes to pet ownership, your beloved animals may also bring in a lot of fur, pet dander, dirt, odors, and other issues that can affect your home’s indoor air quality without proper mitigation.
At Bears Home Solutions, we want to make sure your home is a healthy living environment for you and your pets. Continue reading to learn a few simple actions pet owners can take to improve indoor air quality at home.
Indoor Air Quality Tips for Pet Owners
Groom Your Pets Regularly
Most breeds of pets – especially dogs and cats – are prone to shedding. Over time, the pet dander from excess fur can cause sneezing, congestion, and other respiratory issues. Long pet hair can also trail in mud and other particulates when your animals come in from outside. Brushing your pet’s fur every day, bathing them often, and bringing them to a groomer for periodic haircuts will significantly reduce pet dander and odors in your home, in addition to keeping your pet physically healthy.
Keep Your Home Clean
Regular housekeeping is another simple way to maintain healthy indoor air quality when sharing your home with animals. In addition to vacuuming, mopping, and dusting, there are other cleaning tasks to stay on top of when you own a pet to mitigate pet dander, bacteria, and other airborne pollutants. Some of these routine chores include:
- Lint rolling your clothes and furniture
- Washing your pet’s bed
- Sanitizing pet toys
- Deodorizing your carpet
- Cleaning the litter box
Check Your Air Filters (or Equipment Covers)
All homeowners should change their air filters every couple of months, but for pet parents, we recommend refreshing your air filter once a month. In addition to keeping the air clean in your home, checking your air filters often will help prevent clogged fur from compromising the energy efficiency of your heating and cooling system.
Homeowners with mini split systems, boilers, or other ductless equipment do not have air filters to replace, but may have covers where excess fur can accrue. Periodically vacuum around your system to make sure your equipment operates at maximum capacity.
Install a Whole-Home Air Purifier
For pet owners who want to take improving air quality to the next level, consider adding a whole-home air purifier to your existing heating and cooling equipment. From air cleaners to germicidal UVC lamps to oxidizing UVC systems, we install a variety of indoor air quality products that kill germs, remove odors, and trap allergens so you can rest assured that your family and your pets are breathing clean, healthy air.
Schedule Routine HVAC Maintenance
Our final tip for pet owners to maintain healthy indoor air quality is to have your heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment inspected by a professional service technician at least once a year. Routine maintenance helps improve energy efficiency, promote healthy air quality, and extend the lifespan of your HVAC equipment. If your pet is a heavy shedder, you may also want to consider cleaning your ductwork every few years to remove fur and other debris that can accumulate in your air ducts over time.
Bears Home Solutions has been helping homeowners throughout the Red River Valley stay comfortable, safe, and healthy since 1978. To learn more about our indoor air quality or maintenance services, contact our friendly team today!
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