4 Ways Your Pets Affect Your IAQ in Sterling, VA

March 28, 2025

Your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ) affects your health and concentration. Signs of low IAQ include coughing, wheezing, itchy eyes and throat irritation. You might not have pet allergies, but pets can still lower your IAQ in several ways.

1. Pet Hair

Dogs and cats tend to shed regularly, especially when they lose their winter coats. Their fur and microscopic skin cells may fly everywhere and settle on your furniture and float in the air. However, these airborne particulates aren’t just a nuisance; they can also irritate your respiratory system when you breathe them in.

Pet hair traps dust, mold spores and other allergens. If your pet goes outside, they might return with pollen, moisture and bacteria on their fur. Hiring professionals for regular maintenance could remove the pet hair caught in your HVAC system, but try to brush your pet and ventilate your house while you’re at it.

2. Pet Dander

Pets also shed dander, which consists of microscopic skin cells. Like fur, dander can trap particles and cause allergic reactions. Make sure you’re dusting and vacuuming frequently, and open all the vents in your house.

3. Animal Waste

Animal urine and feces attract pests and encourages bacterial growth, making the air unsanitary. This waste also produces strong odors that homeowners struggle to remove. If you’re dealing with smells, look for an air purifier with an odor-removing filter.

4. Pet Products

Some pet products, such as shampoo and flea sprays, contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contaminate the air with harmful gases. If you buy these products, make sure you use them in a well-ventilated area. VOCs can harm animals as well as humans.

We use indoor air quality solutions that improve your IAQ while you continue to care for your furry friends. Reach out to Vernon The Heating & Cooling Specialist to learn more about how to maintain healthy IAQ in your Sterling, VA home with humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, air cleaners and ventilators.

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