Allergies of any kind can be tiring, but being allergic to your furry best friend is a whole other story. The bond between a pet and its owner is one of a kind, and no allergy should ever stand in the way of that. If you’ve been suffering from cat allergies, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we will discuss the best air purifier for cat allergies.
How Clean Is the Air in Our Homes?
When the air outside is polluted, we automatically close all the windows to protect our homes. While this is a great instinct, the truth is a bit more complicated. In reality, the air in our house tends to be more polluted, often two to five times more so than the air outside.
Regardless of how much we love our pets, having a cat can affect the air quality in your house. The occasional carpet accident can give off an unpleasant smell, while all that pet hair and dander floating around can contribute to poor air quality and worsen the symptoms of your allergies.
Living With Allergies
If you suffer from allergies, you’re not alone. 1 in 5 Americans have diagnosable environmental allergies, with over 50% of sufferers saying it impacts daily life. Some of the symptoms of allergies include a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing. Even if you are not allergic to cats, exposure can trigger your allergy symptoms.
If you do have a cat allergy, it means your body has an autoimmune reaction to proteins in a cat’s saliva, dander and urine. These proteins are allergens, triggering your allergic reaction, and cats produce many of them.
There isn’t conclusive evidence that specific cat breeds are hypoallergenic —meaning they won’t cause an allergic reaction. The length of a cat’s hair, its sex or whether it goes outside (or not) has nothing to do with its allergen levels. Although, if your cat does go out, it can bring in dust and pollen, which can also trigger an allergic reaction.
If you have a cat allergy and own a cat, that doesn’t mean you have to endure the suffering. Keep reading as we share some of the best air purifiers for cat allergies.
Let’s start with the most important things you want to consider when getting an air purifier for cat allergies. You want to ensure that your purifier will cover the room’s square footage, thereby guaranteeing you get the most efficient model for your space. Air purifiers range from 140 to 1,560 square feet of coverage.
Another thing you want to look out for is the type of filter your air purifier needs. HEPA filters give the best results, but you also need to know how often you’ll have to change them to maximize effectiveness. Decide whether you want affordable filter replacements or not. If you’re looking to cut down on such expenses, you should opt for permanent filters that you can vacuum. If cat hair is a significant issue for you, opt for a washable pre-filter (they can capture larger particles).
Other factors that you want to consider are: how quiet the air purifier is, its smart tech features, size and efficiency. All of this ultimately depends on your needs. To help you out, we did the research. Here are our favorite models:
Image | Air Purifier Details | Price |
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VEVA 8000 Elite Pro Series Air Purifier
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BLUEAIR Blue 211+
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Germ Guardian
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VEVA 8000
Are you looking for a powerful HEPA filtration system with a compact and polished design? Look no further. VEVA 8000 air purifier features premium filtration with an activated carbon pre-filter that catches particles as small as 0.3 microns. It can cover up to 325 square feet. The upright design is very stylish and easy to place anywhere in the room and is capable of removing dust, pollen, mold, viruses and, of course — pet hair.
You can choose between three speeds, and because it’s so quiet, it won’t disturb your work or sleep. This air purifier will probably work best with a lot of open space around it, rather than being tucked away in a crowded corner. It works by drawing the air in from the front and pushing it out the back. The more open space it has, the better air circulation there will be. One of the best things about this air purifier is its three replacements for carbon pre-filters. Not only is the price of the filter affordable, but it saves you money on filters in the long run.
The Blue Pure 211+
The sleek Blueair design will probably catch your attention first as you browse for the best air purifiers. It’s not only an elegant Swedish design; their unique filter technology captures 99% of airborne pollutants. The Blue Pure can handle a room up to 540 square feet, which is enough for a living room or a larger bedroom. The colored portion of the filter is not there just for aesthetics.
The fabric base acts as a pre-filter and catches large particles floating in the air. It makes this model perfect for cat owners, as you’ll notice pretty soon when it’s covered in hair and dust. Once that happens, simply put it in the washing machine, air dry and reattach. Inside is a HEPA filter, which is protected by washable fabric. Blue Pure is simple to use, elegant and efficient.
GermGuardian
One of the things this air purifier does best is eliminate odors. Remember how we talked about that litter box and carpet ‘accident’? Well, with GermGuardian, you can forget about lingering smells. It can also collect tiny particles such as pet dander and dust in the most miniature proportions, so you can live free from your allergic reactions. It’s perfect for smaller rooms, up to 180 square feet, but you can still notice the difference in air quality in larger rooms, too.
It offers three layers of protection: an outer charcoal filter that captures large particles, pet hair and odors; a true HEPA filter that catches pet dander, pollen and dust mites; and finally, a UV-C light that kills airborne germs and bacteria, preventing them from growing on the filter.
Bottom Line
Before getting the air purifier for cat allergies that best suits your needs, it’s important to learn all about them. Ensure you know how big your space is, so your new air purifier can be as effective as possible. Also, know your budget when it comes to considerations such as filters. You can choose from various shapes and styles, and we’re positive after using the tips above, you’ll make the choice that’s right for you.
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