An air purifier designed with pets in mind should be effective without sacrificing their safety. Here are 5 features to look for that will make your air purifier safe for the pets and humans who live in your home.
Rugged -- Your air purifier should literally be made of steel. Young animals (older ones too) can be curious and chewy. A cleaner with a body made of steel makes it virtually impossible for your pet to break off small pieces that could cause a choking hazard.
You should also be able to place your unit within 6 inches of any wall without losing effectiveness. Minimizing the cord helps avoid tripping and discourages chewing.
Does Not Off-Gas -- When the motor heats up the outer casing of the purifier, if it is made of plastic, the heated plastic will often send unpleasant and unhealthy fumes into the air.
You certainly don't want to spend money on a purifier that adds to the problems rather than taking those you already have away. A steel casing eliminates the possibility of off gassing.
Lead Free Paint -- Many air purifiers available on the market that are made in other countries may in fact still use some percentage of lead in the paint. If the product is made in the United States, manufacturers must comply with using paint that does not contain lead and that is safe for both humans and pets. A powder coat finish on the purifier that is lead free assures the safety of all.
Runs Safely 24 Hours a Day -- Since pet hair, dander, and odor don't take a break, your air cleaner can't afford to either. If it is to keep ahead of your pet, it needs to run 24 hours a day every day.
A split capacitor motor in the technical specifications means that the motor is designed for continuous high revolutions per minute and will clean the air effectively, and safely whether you are at home or not.
Fresh Air is the Only By-Product -- Make sure that the only by product the unit sends into your home is fresh, clean smelling air. Avoid those that use ionizers, or ozone. Not only are they unsafe, but they are not as effective as purifiers that have high efficiency particle arresting (or HEPA) filters plus carbon-based filters that remove odor.