Cats bring us excitement and never fail to amaze us. Unfortunately, they can also release allergens, dust, and pollen into the air. This is why some cat owners experience red eyes and runny noses as a result of pet-related respiratory problems.
Taking the correct medication and minimizing triggers will help you prevent negative sensations. However, introducing an air purifier to the arrangement can help alleviate your suffering even more.
Air purifiers clean allergens and make your house more comfortable, but not all models are created equal. As a result, in this post, we will recommend the best air purifier for cat allergies to keep your home clean and healthy.
Causes and Symptoms of Cat Allergies
Actually, regardless of how vulnerable you are, you cannot be allergic to cats. Neither your cat nor its fur induces sneezing or red eyes. Instead, the protein found in cats’ saliva and sweat glands is what causes allergic reactions in humans.
So, what does it mean to have cat allergies? Such allergies arise when your immune mechanism attempts to safeguard your body against compounds that are not necessarily toxic to people but are misidentified as allergens.
The said protein itself is actually a molecule that is not harmful to the human body. Unfortunately, cat-allergic people’s immune systems are triggered once they come into direct touch with the cat’s fur.
The symptoms of cat allergies are identical to those of the other frequently diagnosed allergies: red eyes, runny nose, and frequent sneezing. If you identify yourself with any of these symptoms, you may be allergic to felines.
Even so, even if you have such symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily entail that you are sensitive to cat allergens. In fact, numerous allergies are to blame for such reactions. As a result, you should first ensure that it is not the annual flu or an allergy to another allergen.
Related: What scent will stop cats from peeing on your things?
Do Air Purifiers Really Help with Cat Allergies?
The air in our houses is made up of both liquid and solid particles. Air purifiers are intended to purify the air in an area by capturing allergens and reintroducing filtered, fresh air.
Pet dander is made up of more than just fur; it also comprises animal epidermis and saliva. Because these bits are very small and light, they can linger in the environment for a long period. Using an air purifier, you can remove those particles that cause allergic reactions caused by cats.
Depending on their specs and the type of filter installed, various air purifiers will provide varying degrees of benefit. HEPA filters, for example, may potentially eliminate the majority of dust, pollen, and other airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns.
Are Air Purifiers Safe for Cats?
Air purifiers come in a variety of sizes and styles, ranging from small desktop devices to big free-standing ones. Fortunately, most air purifiers on the market today have undergone extensive safety tests and are suitable for use in a house with animals.
In terms of tangible hazards, your cat could become entangled in the electric cable of the air purifier. Furthermore, large air purifiers are at risk of toppling and injuring your cat.
When selecting an air purifier for cat allergies, keep your cat in mind and choose a secure spot for it to ensure the safety of every member of your family. Place the air purifier somewhere it won’t be accessible or tipped over by your cat.
Furthermore, some cats may perceive the sound of the air purifier as annoying or unpleasant. Check to see how noisy their air purifier is while it is running. Remember that dB is not linear but exponential, so 50dB is many times louder than 30dB, for instance.
Always choose a device that will not harm your favorite cat. In most circumstances, ion generators and UV filtration are not suitable for some cats. It is usually always preferable to use HEPA and medical-grade air purifiers.
Check out our article on removing pet hair from the air.
What to Look for in an Air Purifier for Cat Allergies
Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing an air purifier for cat allergies.
Filter
The first step is to look for a filtration that can eliminate particles as small as 0.03 microns. You may also determine the effectiveness of an air purifier by checking for an AAFA or ASL certification.
The kind of filter used might also reveal a lot about how efficient an air purifier is. Typically, the filter will include a number that should tell you more about how effectively it performs.
A higher value on these rating grades indicates a filter that can remove tiny particles from the environment. Because they can take out microparticles like pollen, mold spores, animal hair, and textile fibers, HEPA filters are suitable for most residential settings.
Size
Air purifiers have different coverage capacities, which indicate how big a space they can purify. So, before you invest money in air purifying equipment, assess the size of your room to determine how large your air purifier should be.
The machine’s coverage is listed in most product descriptions and company notes. Nonetheless, the air purifiers are designed for normal ceiling heights. Thus, if your ceilings are high, the unit may become less efficient.
Price
Some of the elite air purifying units are insanely expensive, but the majority of the higher-end versions have superior filtration and air quality management. That doesn’t mean you won’t find an effective and inexpensive solution.
Just make sure to pay close attention to the product details of the air purifier to ensure that it meets your requirements. Allergic people who are particularly sensitive to cat hair should use a high-powered purifier with a medical-grade filtration system.
Other features
Some elements are more of nice additions than just basic necessities. In general, more expensive purifiers include more capabilities, such as sensor warning lights, customizable lighting, and adjustable timers.
Other factors to consider include the air purifier’s noise and ability to humidify surrounding air. This may be useful throughout the winter or for those with asthma or sensitivities who have inflamed airways or nasal passages.
The 6 Best Air Purifiers for Cat Allergies
1. Levoit Core P350 Air Purifier
The Levoit Core P350 is perfect for large spaces like the family room or play area. It is ideal for dirt, allergens, pet dander, and fumes thanks to its 3-stage filtration technology, including the H13 True HEPA filter.
This device’s functioning sound is hardly noticeable. Even at maximum performance, the Core P350 emits only 50dB of noise. It also has a sleep mode and a timer (2, 4, 6, and 12 hours).
The air purifier is Energy Star certified and can circulate up to 219 square feet of air in only 12 minutes. However, to keep it working smoothly you must replace its HEPA filter once every 6-8 months. For your convenience, this model has a check filter indicator.
Many users say this is an excellent alternative for houses with pets, and it can keep the room smelling fresh for years. Furthermore, the filters may be purchased in bulk, allowing you to save money.
2. Bluair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier
The Blue Pure 211+ air purifier can capture pollutants as fine as 0.1 microns. This is thanks to the HEPA filtration system, which is combined with a carbon filter that collects any lingering pollutants.
This air purifier is quite simple to set up right out of the box. Moreover, a textile skirt serves as a pre-filter on its lower half. Just so you know, it comes in a variety of colors, so you can give this device some personality if you like.
By using the button on top of the gadget, you can switch between three fan speeds. Because there is just one button to touch, the controls are simple to use once you’ve gotten the hang of them.
This model also includes a powerful purification system that is appropriate for larger rooms. However, at 13 pounds, it is hefty and can be an eyesore in your room.
3. Dyson Pure Cool Link TP02
The Dyson air purifier is one of our top choices due to its quiet but effective functioning in efficiently removing small fine particles. Aside from its quiet action, this device is intuitive, featuring a user-friendly interface.
Also, this air purifier will detect changes in air condition and react accordingly to optimally clean the air. Backward airflow capability helps you to utilize the air purifier but without the cooling system.
The Dyson TP02’s enticing look will make it a new conversation starter. You should also not be concerned about your cat’s paws getting caught in the device because there is no open gap.
While the machine is in use, the head of this device rotates to equally circulate and purify the air. However, some customers reported that reattaching the panels that protect the air filters after cleanup can be difficult. Nonetheless, with some wiggling, they pop back into place.
4. Germ Guardian Air Purifier for Homes with Pets
Because of its sleek appearance and elegant shape, you might not think this one is an air purifier at first sight. This model is ideal to clean rooms up to 153 square feet in size and recirculates the air 4.8 times an hour in such space.
The fan, unlike most devices in its price range, has three different settings. When you want to minimize the machine’s noise and vibration, you can pick quiet mode. You can also use UV-C light to eliminate microbes, germs, parasites, and viruses.
The noise from the Germ Guardian air purifier is hardly audible at the lowest setting. On medium, the intensity rises slightly and becomes a kind of white noise that would fade into the environment.
According to the company, this air purifier is especially good for allergy-prone pet owners. Pet dander, pollen, and other typical allergens are removed from the air by the HEPA filter.
5. Alen BreatheSmart Classic Air Purifier
The Alen BreatheSmart air purifier has an incredible appearance. The minimalist design makes it appear more like artwork than a piece of hard and sterile equipment.
This air purifier’s HEPA filter works perfectly in any area, but it is especially well suited for large family rooms. Despite the manufacturer’s claim that this model produces an ozone concentration of less than 0.050 parts per million and is ozone-safe, it is best to keep the device away from furniture and walls so that the ozone does not damage anything in that location.
It’s worth mentioning that the device is energy-efficient, drawing only 60 watts on turbo mode. Furthermore, the auto mode cleans the air throughout the day and night, adding to the list of admirable qualities.
If you have cat allergies, this is the air-cleansing system for you. The decibel levels are minimal and pleasant. Pet odors, kitchen smoke, mold spores, and pet hair allergens will also be eliminated.
6. TOPPIN TPAP001 Air Purifier for Pets
With the 3-layer filtration system, this TOPPIN TPAP001 is an excellent portable air purification solution for any pet owner. To be less of a bother at night, use the digital touch screen to cycle through three purifying settings and turn off the display light.
Despite the lack of an app or any advanced capabilities, you may still purchase this air purifier due to its low cost and efficacy. The TOPPIN TPAP001 can also be put on a schedule to switch off when it is no longer needed to clean cat hair and dander.
The device does not make a lot of noise. At a 3-High fan level, it only produces up to 45dB, and you can even select the ultra-quiet purification mode to sleep or study comfortably next to this air purifier.
It also has a light indicator that can be switched off, making it ideal for light sleepers. Unfortunately, it lacks an air quality indicator to display the level of air quality in your home.
Conclusion
Being allergic to cats can be absolutely excruciating. This is especially true if they persist even after you have taken medication. Purchasing an air purifier for cat allergies for the room where you spend most of your time will help you feel more at ease at home.
Using an air purifier can help to improve air condition and reduce respiratory discomfort caused by cat fur. If there is cat hair in your house, an air purifier with HEPA filters can eliminate it.
Keep the air purifier near the cat’s bed, kennel, or wherever it spends the majority of its time. You may also place it close to the litter box to help cleanse the air of unpleasant odors.
