Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Most U.S. households have at least one pet. Unfortunately, homes with pets can also have indoor air quality (IAQ) issues, due to pet odors and allergens.
Allergies to pets are indeed quite common, and both furry pets and pets with feathers can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Pet dander is a significant source of pet allergens, and is composed of proteins from flecks of skin shed by pets. People can come in contact with pet allergens by touching animals and contaminated surfaces, and by breathing air laced with allergens. Pet allergens can even act as asthma triggers for some asthmatics.
Cat allergies are thought to be about twice as common as dog allergies. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) reports that cat allergens are found in cat saliva, which sticks to fur when cats lick themselves. They are also released by glands in the skin and shed as dander or secreted in the urine of male cats. For dogs, the Institute states that their allergens are also present in dander, as well as saliva, urine and even blood.
Pet birds can also expose people to allergens through their feathers, dander and droppings. Bird dropping can also be the source of exposure to bacteria and fungi.
NIEHS warns that pet allergens are easily spread because they can circulate in air and remain on carpets and furniture for months. They may also be carried on clothing into areas where there are no pets. The Institute goes on to share that nationwide studies have shown that dog and cat allergens are present in almost all U.S. homes, even those without pets.
These are just a few of the many things to know about pet allergens and indoor air quality. To learn more about this or other building science, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
Most U.S. households have at least one pet. Unfortunately, homes with pets can also have indoor air quality (IAQ) issues, due to pet odors and allergens.
Allergies to pets are indeed quite common, and both furry pets and pets with feathers can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Pet dander is a significant source of pet allergens, and is composed of proteins from flecks of skin shed by pets. People can come in contact with pet allergens by touching animals and contaminated surfaces, and by breathing air laced with allergens. Pet allergens can even act as asthma triggers for some asthmatics.
Cat allergies are thought to be about twice as common as dog allergies. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) reports that cat allergens are found in cat saliva, which sticks to fur when cats lick themselves. They are also released by glands in the skin and shed as dander or secreted in the urine of male cats. For dogs, the Institute states that their allergens are also present in dander, as well as saliva, urine and even blood.
Pet birds can also expose people to allergens through their feathers, dander and droppings. Bird dropping can also be the source of exposure to bacteria and fungi.
NIEHS warns that pet allergens are easily spread because they can circulate in air and remain on carpets and furniture for months. They may also be carried on clothing into areas where there are no pets. The Institute goes on to share that nationwide studies have shown that dog and cat allergens are present in almost all U.S. homes, even those without pets.
These are just a few of the many things to know about pet allergens and indoor air quality. To learn more about this or other building science, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
