There are several microbial particles in your home which can adversely affect you, especially if you are prone to respiratory diseases. House pets such as Guinea Pigs regularly shed particles which can be problematic when inhaled. However, with an air purifier installed, you do not have to worry about allergic reactions.
Do air purifiers work for guinea pigs? Yes. While Guinea pigs produce allergens that stay in the air for a prolonged period, an air purifier sucks up all the harmful particles leaving you with clean air to breathe. The health risk posed by keeping pets in the house can be easily solved by using an air purifier.
The good thing about these devices is that they are safe to use for both humans and animals. This article digs deep into air purifiers, how they work, what to consider when buying, their benefits and answers some of your frequently asked questions. Stay with us.
Read also: Can I Put an Air Purifier Against a Wall?
Do Air Purifiers Work for Guinea Pigs?
Besides their dander, guinea pigs tend to roam outside and carry other allergens such as pollen and dust into the house. This further increases your chances of catching an allergic reaction. Even though some of these particles may have no immediate effects on you when inhaled, long-term exposure could lead to severe health problems.
An indoor air purifier works in two ways. Firstly, it helps in sucking all the harmful particles such as dust, dander, and pollen that can upset and trigger allergic reactions in some people. Secondly, an air purifier gets rid of the unpleasant smell that’s inevitable with keeping home pets.
How Air Purifiers Work
Air purifiers have a couple of filters and a fan. The fan sucks in the air; this air goes through the filters. The filters trap and absorb dust, dander, bacteria, and other pollutants and release fresh air back into the room. This purifying process promotes the circulation of clean and healthy air in an indoor environment.
Benefits of Using Air Purifiers
Most indoor air purifiers, such as air purifier for guinea pigs, have HEPA filters meant to trap all air pollutants leaving you with clean air. Some have replaceable filters for absorbing larger particles. Below are some benefits of using an air purifier in a pet home:
- Clears unpleasant odors – Sometimes, pets can produce unpleasant odors from their urine or poop. However, an air purifier helps clear out such smells and return normal fresh air.
- Removes harmful allergens from the air – Keeping pets in the house means dealing with harmful dander and other pollutants each day. Air purifiers sucks these pollutants from the air, making it clean and fresh to breathe.
- Prevents airborne diseases – Airborne diseases easily spread through pathogens floating in the air. Some of these pathogens come from the pets we keep. An air purifier containing HEPA filters traps these bacteria and viruses, thus preventing the risk for airborne diseases.
- Relieves asthma symptoms – Pets such as guinea pigs, cats and dogs shed dander throughout the year. This dander stays in the air for an extended period, causing pollution. For an asthmatic person, this increases the symptoms. An air purifier cleans the air making it conducive for everyone.
Factors to Consider When Buying Air Purifiers
Before spending your money on an air purifier, there are crucial factors you need to consider for you to experience all-out benefits and avoid some adverse health effects from your air purifier. Here are some factors to consider when buying an air purifier:
- HEPA Filters – For the best air cleaning, go for purifiers that contain HEPA and activated carbon filters. They are effective in eliminating bad odors.
- Noise Level – Loud noise can be irritating and disruptive. Opt for a low noise air purifier to avoid conversation and sleep disruption.
- ACH Rating – Air Change per Hour refers to the number of times the air in an entire room gets filtered in an hour. The higher the number, the more efficient the air purifier is. The recommended ACH rating is 4x or 5x.
- Size – Pick an air purifier that will fit in your room without occupying too much space. To save on energy, buy a medium-size air purifier that is effective for slightly bigger rooms.
- Clean Air Delivery Rate – CADR refers to the overall speed at which the air purifier takes to filter the air in a given room. A higher clean air delivery rate means the air purifier is effective and works faster.
- Maintenance – Generally, air purifiers cost about $150; others could be slightly cheaper or expensive depending on the size and type of filters. Maintenance cost depends on the same too. Some purifiers have washable filters and require more power to operate; this means a high electricity bill.
- Ozone Emission – It’s important to note that some air purifiers produce high levels of ozone gas. This gas is hazardous and can damage your respiratory system. Avoid such air purifiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions concerning air purifiers:
● How Long Does an Air Purifier Take to Clean a Room?
Cleaning duration usually depends on how big the room is. Most air purifiers take approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours. Air Change per Hour (ACH) rating is also a determinant. It refers to the number of times an entire room gets filtered per hour. An efficient purifier filters about five times per hour.
● Do Air Purifiers Assist Guinea Pigs?
Yes. Guinea pigs have a delicate respiratory system. To prevent them from contracting upper respiratory infections (URI), it’s essential to clean the air using an air purifier.
● Are Air Purifiers Safe?
Not all air purifiers are safe. Some emit harmful ozone. It causes chest pains, shortness of breath, and coughing. Prolonged exposure to a high ozone level is detrimental to your respiratory system. However, air purifiers that contain activated carbon filters and HEPA are safe for human use.
Final Word
Pet keepers’ demand for air purifiers has significantly increased due to insufficient ventilation in most houses. While keeping pets such as guinea pigs, cats and dogs has always been a fascinating activity, the pets’ odor, dander and hair can pollute the air and cause respiratory problems. The smell of your guinea pig’s urine can cause discomfort in your living room. However, you can effortlessly return the fresh and clean air into your living room with a good air purifier.
We hope you found this article informative. If you are contemplating purchasing an air purifier for your little guinea pig, buy with confidence because they effectively work.
