Let’s Talk Pets!
I spend a lot of time talking about indoor air quality and how it can affect your health. What I never thought about until recently is how indoor air quality can affect our furry and feathered friends. They do breathe the exact same air as we do after all. I am actually smacking myself in the head for not thinking about this sooner and I’m guessing if I didn’t think about it you might not have either. So let’s spend a little time on what can happen with different animals if exposed to poor indoor air quality. For the official record I am not a veterinarian and I don’t even play one on television. I suggest if your pet is suffering from any adverse health effects please consult a professional immediately.
In my research I have come to find that mold can have a lot of the same affect on pets as it does in humans. Mold exposure can cause respiratory issues, rashes, stuffy noses, wheezing, and depending on the pet loss of fur and even seizures. When it comes to birds and their unique respiratory systems they can be especially susceptible to air borne mold spores. If you have been told your pet has an issue related to mold I would suggest a UV lighting system for the air conditioner in your home to help cut down on mold spores.
What about just dust in general you ask? Dust for pets again does a lot of the same things it does to you and I. It can cause scratchy throats, watery eyes, stuffy noses, wheezing etc. I have found that the breeds of cats and dogs that have the flat face look are again especially susceptible to high levels of dust. These breeds in dogs can include Boxers, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers to name a few and in the cat world Persians and Himalayans come to mind. My faithful readers will know a sealed duct system and a good air filter are the keys to cutting down on dust in your home.
The bottom line is we Americans have a huge love for our pets and indoor and outdoor air quality can have negative impacts on us all. I have said this in the past however it bears repeating; The EPA has done many studies on indoor air quality and found inside air can be up to ten times as polluted as outdoor air. You do not have to live with poor air quality there are many things that can be done to improve air quality in your home for you and your non-human children. Sorry I didn’t get to those folks that keep reptiles but I’m sure poor air affects them too I just can’t prove it.
Alright kids I’ve got an air conditioner that’s dead to attend to so until I see you again, I was going to make an animal pun, however I decided I’d be otterly ashamed of myself.
House Whisperer out!!
