Are Air Purifiers Safe for Pets?

We all love pets. They’re cute, and they always love us back. Your pooch warmly welcomes you home every evening after work. They’re almost always happy to see you. But they likely shed, releasing tons of dander and fur into your spaces. That’s why how to get rid of pet dander is a very common search phrase online. It’s also why you use air purifiers at home. But are air purifiers safe for pets? Turns out there’s a category of air purifying devices pet lovers should avoid.

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Pets Deserve Purified Air, too

Every day lots of folks online ask Google, “What’s the best air purifier for pets?” You’d think these people were looking for an air purifier to benefit their pet. But many are actually seeking a solution to protect themselves from their pets. They often worry too much about pet allergies, sometimes forgetting that their furry or feathery friends need clean air, too.

Did you know that indoor air pollution can also harm pets? Recent research reveals that pets exposed to passive tobacco smoke face an increased risk for lung problems.

Studies also show that smoking, cleaning, and other common indoor activities release carcinogens into the air. And these lethal pollutants can cause a whole range of health complications in pets.

Indoor Air Pollution Can Cause Cancer in Dogs

Dogs that are constantly exposed to such carcinogens are likely to get lung cancer, bladder cancer, and nasal cancer.  Such unlucky dogs may also get malignant mesothelioma, a rare kind of cancer likely caused by exposure to asbestos.

Evidently, your pets are at risk of getting air pollution-related illnesses pretty much like everyone else. They, too, deserve to live in a clean environment devoid of potentially harmful pollutants. And that’s where effective air purifiers come in.

To keep yourself, your loved ones and lovely pets safe, you must address indoor air pollution. Consider installing the best air purifiers for common pollutants such as asbestos, dust mites, mold spores, and toxic fumes.

But these machines aren’t the only way to minimize indoor air pollution. Use them as part of a more comprehensive strategy specifically designed to make your home safer and healthier for everyone.

So, What Air Purifier Do You Use?

The air purification market offers all kinds of air cleaning devices. From quintessential ozone generators and ionizers to True HEPA, HEPA-type, and Medical-grade air purifiers — the options are endless.

True HEPA and medical-grade air purifiers are quite effective when it comes to eliminating pet odors. They’re part of the solution you need for that offensive pet urine smell wafting out of the litter box. Thanks to these air purifiers, many people have found relief from nasty pet allergies.

But are air purifiers really safe for pets? Some are, some aren’t.

Some Air Purifiers Can Actually Harm Your Pets

Are air purifiers safe to use if you have pets? The quick answer is yes, but you deserve a more detailed answer than that. Generally, the air filters described above won’t harm your pets whatsoever. In fact, your pets will adore you for making the air they breathe cleaner, fresher, and healthier.

But what kinds of pets do you have? Do you keep parakeets or parrots? If yes, you should steer clear of air purifiers that give off ozone. I’m talking about UV air purifiers and ionizing technology-based purifiers here. While such air purifiers are great at exterminating microbes such as viruses and bacteria, they can cause huge problems for pets.

Many experimental studies on cats, dogs, guinea pigs, and hamsters have found that ozone can harm pets. A pet that’s continually exposed to unhealthy levels of ozone may experience discernible respiratory effects.

According to California Air Resources Board (CARB), birds (think parrots and parakeets) are extremely sensitive to air pollutants. And that includes pollutants such as ozone.

So, ALWAYS read and understand all the specs of an air cleaning device before forking over your dollars. If a device works principally by pumping out ozone or uses UV light, you should probably pick a different option if you have a few lovely pets ambling about your home.

Here’s good news. Most air purifiers today let you choose whether to use the ionizer/UV light or turn it off.

Love Ionizers and Ozone Generators? Well, ALWAYS Use CARB-Certified Ones

Debate ranges on about the issue of whether ozone-generating air purifiers are safe. One camp strongly believes these machines must be avoided 100% of the time. The other camp argues that CARB-certified options that generate ozone are safe.

But who’s right?

CARB tests air purifiers comprehensively before giving their certification. If an air purifier is CARB-certified, its ozone’s concentration is no more than 0.05 parts per million (ppm). This organization is extremely stringent when it comes to approving portable room air cleaners.

It’s fair to conclude that CARB-rated devices are safe. Still, it’s best to not use them if you have certain kinds of pets. That’s because you may not always remember to turn the ionizer off. In most cases, the feature automatically turns on once you crank up your machine.

Turning the ionizer or UV light off all the time may feel like too much work. Who wants to do all that when they could just choose an ozone-free option from the get-go?

Medify air purifiers (some of them) are examples of devices using both a medical grade filter(s) and an optional ionizer/UV light.

Many Air Purifiers Are Safe for Pets, But…..

Some are not. When shopping for air purifiers, keep the needs of your adorable pets in mind. Just like you and your family, your pets crave clean, healthy air. Always make sure to pick a device that won’t harm your pets. Ion generators and UV filters are a no-no for some pets in most cases.

It’s almost always best to go with True HEPA and Medical grade H13 HEPA air purifiers. But if you’re ok with a device that offers UV filtration or ionization, make sure to choose a CARB-certified one.