If you live with pets, especially dogs, you’re acutely (and cutely) aware of the impact they can have on your home. From chewed up tennis shoes and bathroom accidents to wayward dust bunnies and your dog’s signature eau de parfum, your home’s cleanliness can take a serious hit. Dogs affect air quality; the good news they don’t have to. We’re breaking down some of the most common myths about dog ownership and air quality—going off-leash, so to speak—so you, your family, and all your furry friends can breathe easier.
Myth #1: Pet Allergies Come From Pet Fur
Let’s kick things off with a common misconception about the source of allergens: A dog’s fur is NOT where allergens come from. Rather, allergic reactions come from exposure to a dog’s dead skin cells (dander), saliva, or urine. The confusion comes from the fact that dog fur is often a vehicle for dander to make its way through your home. Contained in a dog’s saliva, urine, and dander are certain proteins which are the culprit for your runny nose and itchy eyes. That said, it’s a good idea to sweep and vacuum as frequently as possible to reduce the spread of airborne pet dander by a dog’s fur.
Myth #2: Hypoallergenic Dogs Don’t Cause Allergies
Now that we know fur doesn’t cause allergic reactions, it becomes easier to understand why dog breeds described as hypoallergenic CAN still cause symptoms. Yes, even our sweet Bichon Frise breeds, which are considered hypoallergenic, can cause your nose to run and your eyes to itch. These breeds still have saliva, dead skin cells, and urine (to our knowledge). However, hypoallergenic dogs shed less, and in some hairless cases don’t shed at all, which means that less dog hair can deliver the allergenic proteins through your home, possibly resulting in fewer allergic reactions.
Myth #3: I’m Not Allergic to Dogs Because I Don’t Have Symptoms
Here’s where we start to really stick our noses in it: Just because you’re not experiencing an allergic reaction in the presence of a dog DOES NOT mean you aren’t allergic. In some cases, humans can develop a resistance to allergens and react less severely or not at all. However, when allergen levels go above a certain threshold or combine with additional allergens like dust mites and pollen, humans who display resistance can become reactive. Reactions can also be delayed for hours, meaning that if you don’t immediately develop symptoms in the presence of a dog, you may start sneezing later.
Myth #4: Dog Smells are Unavoidable
First things first, dogs produce odors just like you and us—that’s unavoidable. However, you CAN control how much of that odor you need to be exposed to. Here’s a few tips:
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Bathe & groom dogs regularly. This controls the amount of odor-infused dander that spreads throughout your home.
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Maintain dental hygiene. Go ahead and give those chompers a good brush. Dog breath is real, but with regular maintenance, you can keep it under control.
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Clean bedding & toys. Remember how saliva is a source of allergens? Giving those slobber-soaked dog toys a good wash will help control odors and reduce the amount of allergens you may come in contact with.
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Invest in air purification. Home air purifiers eliminate pet odors by using activated charcoal filtration to neutralize bad smells. They can also capture pet hair. Molekule air purifiers use PECO technology to go a step further and destroy airborne dander, too.
Myth #5: Dogs Don’t Get Allergies
All dogs go to heaven, and all dogs CAN have allergies. Dogs are mammals just like us and are capable of being allergic to dust mites, pollen, and here’s the real kick in the leash, us. Yes, humans produce urine, saliva, and dander and can cause allergic reactions in dogs. If your puppy is experiencing symptoms consistent with an allergic reaction, you can consult a veterinarian who can run some tests and determine what your doggo is allergic to.
How Molekule Manages Pet Ownership
As mentioned earlier, air purification is a fantastic way to protect the air you breathe from pet dander, pet odors, and pet hair. Molekule air purifiers are some of the best air purifiers for pet owners, equipped with a special three-stage filtration system (the PECO-HEPA Tri-Power filter) that uses industry-standard HEPA filtration to capture pollutants, proprietary PECO technology to destroy pet allergens in the air, and a final activated charcoal filter that’s specifically designed to neutralize odors. The result is cleaner, more healthy air with less pet dander to foster increased well-being in your home.
