Living With Pets and Allergies? Here’s How to Improve Your Air

Your furry sidekick might be your very best friend, but they also might be the source of your allergies. We love them, so we put up with the itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, and scratchy throat. But are you stuck with your pet allergies, or is there something you can do about them? Eliminating the airborne allergens in your home can be a game-changer for your symptoms. Let’s talk about how you can do this.


Why Do Pets Cause Allergies?


Allergic reactions happen when your immune system believes that your body has encountered an “invader,” and it goes into attack mode. In reality, there’s nothing dangerous about this invader, but that immune response is what causes your symptoms.


When it comes to pets and allergies, there’s something in their fur, dander, saliva, urine, or even sweat that your immune system has deemed threatening, even though it isn’t.


Some people outgrow their pet allergies, although there’s never any guarantee. There are over-the-counter medications and injections that can help, too. However, these solutions aren’t a fit for everyone.


So, what can you do about managing pet allergies at home?


Stopping Allergens Before They Trigger Your Symptoms


Right off the bat, there are a couple of things you can do to cut back on the allergens floating around your home.


Keep Your Pet Clean and Tidy


You should de-shed and bathe your pet regularly, based on the animal and breed. For instance, dogs with thick fur or double coats (like huskies) typically need to be de-shedded more often than something like a short-haired chihuahua. Ask a vet or groomer what frequency makes the most sense for your pet. Speaking of grooming, ensure you’re on the proper schedule based on the breed. Even with regular baths, some animals still need to be regularly groomed by a professional.


Have a designated area or room in your home for these tasks, and clean up/vacuum immediately after. 


It’s also not a bad idea to keep a pack of wipes by the door and clean your pal’s paws when you come in from a walk or a bathroom break. In fact, consider wiping down their fur, too. Pets can bring in all sorts of germs and bacteria from outside. Allergens and other contaminants can easily stick to their paws and get lodged in their fur.


Keep Your Home Clean


In addition to cleaning up after de-shedding and bathing your pet, be mindful of other areas of the home that they frequent. In particular, do you let them on the furniture? In your bed? Furniture will need to be vacuumed/washed, and bedding will need to be changed weekly, if not more (depending on the frequency and severity of your symptoms).


Do you have curtains? Those need to be vacuumed and washed. Rugs? Carpeting? Same thing.


If you neglect these parts of your home, fur and dander can set up shop, you’ll be exposed to them all day, and your pet allergies will persist. 


Other Tips


Here are a few other simple pieces of advice to keep pet allergens in check:


  • Change your HVAC filters regularly. If you’re not sure how often this is needed, consult with a professional in your area. Changing the filters is important for allowing them to work optimally.

  • If the air quality outside is good, open the windows to let fresh air in and boost circulation. You can check your outdoor air quality using AirNow.

  • Be mindful of handling pets and then re-wearing those clothes without washing them first. There’s a good chance fur and/or dander rubbed off on you.


The Hands-off Way to Target Pet Allergens at Home


Addressing allergens at their source, as we described above, is an important part of getting a handle of your pet allergies at home. However, even the biggest clean freak won’t be able to keep up with the fur, dander, and other allergens pets leave in their wake.


For the allergens that get away, an air purifier can be the difference between red eyes and a drippy nose, and feeling like yourself! Specifically, here’s what you want to look for:


  • Medical-grade HEPA 13 filtration, the gold standard

  • Multiple layers of defense to target different types and sizes of pollutants

  • Auto-detecting of contaminants in the air, so you can remain hands-off

  • Real-time monitoring for at-a-glance air quality updates


How Sans Does Air Purification


The Sans air purifier uses a four-layer filtration system that includes a cleanable pre-filter to target bigger particles (like hair/fur and dust), one pound of activated carbon, and a medical-grade HEPA 13 filter. This is the only technology that removes 99.9% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns in diameter, including allergens, dust, smoke, PM 2.5, and PM 10.


The real-time air quality, VOC, and PM 2.5/10 monitor to give you in-the-moment insights. This allows Sans to run as needed—whenever it detects pollutants lurking in your home. In addition, Sans notifies you when it’s time to change the filters.


Sans comes in two sizes. Our original purifier covers up to 1,560 square feet of space, while the Sans Mini covers up to 490 square feet. Place them in a high-traffic area of your home, but keep in mind that they’re lightweight and easy to move, if needed. 


Learn more about Sans air technology.


While pet allergies can certainly impact your quality of life, you don’t have to accept them. Follow our guidance for keeping your home clean and enjoying purified air, and the allergens in your home won’t know what hit them.

 

Sans Air Purifier

HEPA 13 + UV-C + Activated Carbon Air Purification

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