Combine cat hair and dander with the normal indoor pollutants that are found in virtually every indoor space, and you've got air that can cause problems for those with repiratory problems. And can create problems for those who were formerly healthy. Get 5 important answers about what HEPA filtration can do for you and your furry friend.
Will it filter hair and fur? A high efficiency particle arresting (most often abbreviated as HEPA) filter is incredibly efficient at removing airborne particles that are.3 microns or larger. So it can definitely remove hair and fur that are in the air.
Particles that are near or about .3 microns in size are invisible to the human eye, but hair and fur are all too visible and can remove by less sophisticated filters such as pre-filters. If the unit does not contain this type of inexpensive filter then the HEPA will definitely take them out of circulation.
Will this type of technology eliminate cat dander? These invisible flakes of dead skin known as dander are one of the most potent allergens known. It is the protein in the flakes that sends many people's allergies into overdrive. So the cat dander can easily be eliminated.
What other types of pollutants will it get rid of? Because a filter doesn't care about the source of the particles, it is not only good for cat-related particles but other more normal indoor pollutants as well. That means it can remove dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, as well as airborne bacteria and viruses down to .3 microns.
Will it get rid of litter dust? Many cat lovers put the litter box in the bathroom which makes perfect sense. However, it your pet likes to scratch before, afterwards, or just for good measure, it can create air that is really thick with dust.
A HEPA can remove these airborne particles. A purifier with variable filtration speeds can give you the option of speeding up filtration when there is a lot of it in the air and slowing it down when there is less of a need for it.
Will it eliminate urine odor? Unfortunately, this type of filter will only eliminate particles. Gaseous pollutants such as urine, odors, and other smells are best removed by a carbon-based filter. And even as effective as carbon can be at removing odors, it will still need a chemical additive to enhance its ability to remove the ammonia that is so offensive when dealing with cat urine.
Nothing will get rid of all of the particles a pet can produce, but for those of us who love them what they give us in return makes them worth it.
But the ultimate air cleaner for cats should have not only a HEPA filter, but several pre-filters, and a carbon enhanced filter for urine. That way one purifier can do everything you need it to when you have a cat as part of your family.
