Skip to main content

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

We found the best air purifiers for every pet owner

Do we love our pets? No question about it. According to the American Pet Products Association, Americans spent a whopping $95.7 billion on their pets in 2019. So, what happens when we’re allergic to those lovable furballs? If you have asthma or other allergies, chances are you are allergic to animals with fur. Although it’s more common to be allergic to cats, as many as three in 10 people have allergies to both cats and dogs.

But don’t resign yourself to a life of misery just yet. As long as your allergies aren’t life threatening, with some common-sense measures (maybe don’t try sharing a bed with your pup), you can learn to coexist. One of the best ways to live together more comfortably is by purchasing an air purifier specifically designed for pets. (And even if you don’t have allergies, purifiers are a great way to clear up odors in your home.) Here are our three favorites.

Good: Partu HEPA

If you have a small space to purify, take a look at the Partu HEPA air purifier. This little unit is one of Amazon’s best sellers. One reason we’re such a big fan of this model is because you can add your favorite essential oil to the sponge located beneath the air filter. At only 3 pounds, the unit is portable enough to take from room to room (or from office to conference room) yet powerful enough to remove dust, dander, smoke, and other pollutants from the air. One Amazon reviewer said he hasn’t needed his inhaler since he began using it in his small apartment. Another review, from a mom whose daughter has a small menagerie in her bedroom, said it has almost completely eliminated the pet odor.

Better: Levoit Core P350

If you’re the only one who is allergic to the furry members of the family, you may want to consider restricting access to your bedroom and adding an air purifier, like this one from Levoit, to your decor. In addition to Levoit’s ability to significantly reduce pet odors, we like this model’s sleep-mode feature, which lets you turn off the display lights at nighttime and run at a quiet 24 dB. This product has a five-star rating on Amazon, where reviewers say it has dramatically reduced the pet odors in their homes, as well as improved their allergies and sinus infections.

Best: Blueair Blue Pure 311

Why just eliminate pet dander and odors when you can eliminate dangerous viruses and bacteria, too? Luckily, air purifiers like this one don’t discriminate. Blueair’s HEPASilent filtration technology removes 99.97% of airborne particles like pet dander, odors, dust, pollen, bacteria, and viruses, according to the company. (Note: This product has not been tested against coronavirus.)

Designed to purify larger rooms, like living rooms and playrooms, this unit automatically adjusts to air conditions to clean rooms up to 388 square feet. We also like the LED color display that indicates air quality. Wait — did we mention it comes in five colors and the outer fabric prefilter can be washed and reused?

Amazon reviewers heap praise on the auto feature, which adjusts the speed of the fan depending upon the pollutants in the air. Some also appreciate the way this purifier reduces musty basement smells and lingering cigarette smoke.

What else can you do to reduce the pet allergens in your home? Experts recommend creating a safe zone where no pets are allowed. They also suggest bathing your pet on a weekly basis to reduce the amount of dander. Also, ask your doctor if there are any over-the-counter medications that can lessen your sensitivities. Owning a pet has health benefits, including stress reduction and companionship, that make it worth tackling the allergy issue. By using a combination of these tactics and investing in one of these air purifiers, you can keep your pet a loyal member of your family and breathe a little easier meanwhile.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Debbie Clason
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Debbie Clason's work has appeared in Family Life Magazine, Sports Illustrated, The Lutheran Witness, Massage Magazine…
When do kittens’ eyes change colors? The answer is so cool – here’s what to know
What color will your kittens' eyes be? The answer and timeline vary
White cat with blue eyes on a couch

Cats are unique, but they all have at least one trait in common. Kittens are born with their eyes shut. They start opening them at different times, usually from 2 to 10 days after birth. By 2 weeks old, a kitten’s eyes should be completely open.
When kittens open their eyes, they can start paring visual information with all the sounds, touches, and smells they’ve been experiencing. When you bring your young kitten home at around 8 or 9 weeks, they'll be ready to explore and stare deep into your eyes. Kittens' vision will still develop over the next couple of months, as will something else: eye color.
As you gaze back at your kitten, you might notice changes. When do kittens’ eyes change color, and is there ever a cause for concern? Here’s what vets have to say.

How long do kittens have blue eyes? What are the most common eye colors, and when will I see the changes?
Kittens are born with blue eyes, which is apparent when they open them. They may still be blue when you bring them home at 8 weeks old, but chances are they’ve already begun to transform into their adult color. A kitten’s eyes start to change between 3 and 8 weeks old. Common colors you may spot in your kitty’s eyes include:

Read more
A simple guide to what to feed tadpoles in your aquarium
A list of everything you should and shouldn't give baby frogs
Small child looks into a jar of tadpoles

Whether you’re taking in rescue tadpoles or planning to keep frogs as pets, you’ll have to adapt continually to their changing bodies. These amphibians undergo a metamorphosis and live as tadpoles for up to 14 weeks, though the last stage of the transition happens in just 24 hours.

You’ll put them to bed as a kid and come back to a teenager. Also, tadpoles are vegetarians, but frogs are carnivorous, so you should prepare for their diet to evolve as they do over the course of a few months. Here's what to feed tadpoles.

Read more
This is the ultimate week-by-week puppy training schedule every new pet parent needs
A puppy training schedule to follow
Woman feeds a puppy as the pup gives her his paw

When you first bring home a new puppy, you’ll have so many firsts to look forward to. Some milestones — the first accident, for example — aren’t quite as cute as the others, so that’s why you’ll want to start training with your pup as soon as possible. Understanding puppy training stages will help you break down all your goals into realistic steps, making you and your new best friend more likely to succeed.
Remember, training your pup is just one important aspect of their well-being. Ensure you’re taking care of their diet, health, and happiness, too. Good luck and keep reading to learn about a puppy training schedule.

Here's your ideal puppy training schedule for puppies 8 weeks of age and younger
It’s important to establish a routine as soon as you bring your puppy home. Not only will this ensure that you and your pup have every need met, but it also will let your new dog become more familiar with their environment. As dog trainer Ken McCann said in his YouTube video guide for puppy training, “You’ll be setting them up for success,” especially in potty training. Make sure to supervise while they're outside, too.
Here's another idea: Luring your new pup to you with a delicious treat is a great first step toward bonding and training. At this point, they're working purely on instinct, but they're learning the reward value of treats as well as a praise word — something like “yes” or “good” to let them know they're doing well. Make sure to use this word as you continue training!
This also gets your pup used to working for a treat, which builds motivation and confidence. Negative reinforcement won’t teach anything but a feeling of unease at this age, so it’s a good idea to focus on rewards instead (and always). Now that they know that following you gets that reward, they'll soon be ready to move on to the next stage.

Read more