Can an Air Scrubber Help with Pet Hair and Allergies? Here's the Science!

Between 10 and 20% of the world's population is allergic to cats and dogs, which can be very dangerous for your health. Despite that number, around 67% of US households own a pet. That's why, if you're allergic, it's extremely important to protect yourself from allergies, and a professional air scrubber can be the right option. Not only can it remove pet dander and hair, but it can also ensure that the air inside your room is fresh and free of any dangerous compounds.

How can an air scrubber assist pet owners?

• The primary focus of an air scrubber is to reduce allergen exposure. Most of these air scrubbers have a HEPA filter, which captures most of the airborne particles, allergens, hair, pet dander, and so on.
• Additionally, you remove pollutants and allergens like mold spores and dust, fur, and many others. Even dried skin flakes from cats/dogs can lead to allergies, and you have to remove those from your home right away. And it works very well, according to this study.
• Someone who owns a pet is prone to allergies, but with an air scrubber, they can limit the appearance of congestion, itchy eyes, sneezing, and many others.
• Some air scrubbers feature an activated carbon filter. Its role is to help neutralize odors. That will improve the overall smell in your home while removing any nasty smells like urine.   

How does the air scrubber work?

An air scrubber's focus is to draw the air in, and then it goes through filters. These are designed to trap particles inside the filter, thus keeping the air fresh and free of any particles that could contain allergens. Some of the most reliable air filters have a pre-filter designed to capture large particles, but also a HEPA filter that traps 99.97% of the airborne particles, dander included. Activated carbon filters can help remove odors from danger, pet urine, and general pet smells that could lead to allergies for their owners.

Things to consider once you buy an air scrubber

• If you acquire an air scrubber, a very good idea is to place it either in a sleeping area or in a high-traffic region.
• It's also recommended to use a combination of surface cleaning, pet grooming, and air cleaning products. That way, you keep pet dander and allergens under control.
• A good idea is to avoid ozone-generating devices or ionizers. Those can be dangerous if you already suffer from respiratory problems.
• You should always focus on changing filters as often as possible. Every manufacturer highlights the filter replacement timeline. Follow it as much as possible. Most of these air scrubbers tend to share a notification when you need to replace filters, so be on the lookout for that.
• Ideally, you want to purchase an air scrubber that has enough coverage area and CADR for your property. A high Clean Air Delivery Rate can prove to be essential when you're looking for a reliable and comprehensive air scrubber.
• When you acquire an air scrubber, a good idea is to check if it has a washable pre-filter, as that can accumulate a lot of pet hair. Activated carbon can also be ideal for pet owners, same with a pet mode or smart sensors. Those sensors can enhance the airflow when they sense any pet activity nearby. If possible, a powerful True HEPA or even HyperHEPA/H13 level filter is ideal if you have pets in your home.

What do studies say about pet owners using an air scrubber?

One of the studies was focused on dog owners who have air scrubbers within their homes. According to the study, using HEPA filters that reduce the "Can f 1" allergen by up to 75% when the pet is within that room, and up to 90% with the pet is not there.

A similar study, more focused on cats, showed that you could remove the "Fel d 1" allergen as well as dust mites with an air scrubber. Cat allergens were removed with around 76.6%, whereas dust mite allergens were 75% gone. In addition, a study from 2025 shows that using a HEPA filter was able to reduce rhino-conjunctivitis symptoms by 52%, while also delaying any asthma-related symptoms in the case of people with cat allergies.

In addition to that, a meta-analysis study showed that whenever you use an air scrubber, you will see improvements related to asthma symptoms. And, depending on the situation, adjacent technologies can help eliminate pet dander and other dangerous allergens even further. That's why it's important to invest in a great air scrubber, as it can help with air cleanliness and overall health as well.

Does the air scrubber get rid of pet smells?

As a pet owner, not only can you develop allergies to pet dander/hair, but you also have to deal with constant, unpleasant smells. Thankfully, if you acquire an air purifier with a true HEPA filter, it can help you deal with any pet allergies quickly and effectively. It's a very powerful and seamless way of tackling pet smells, and you'll find it to convey excellent results very quickly.

What's important to note is that getting an air scrubber or any air purification tool is not going to remove your pet allergies fully. However, it eliminates pet dander and compounds that could make your allergies worse. Even if these allergies won't disappear, they are heavily reduced, making it easier to stay in a room/home where a pet lives, even if you have pet allergies.

Closing thoughts

As we can see from all the information and studies presented above, it's clear that an air scrubber is one of the best investments any pet owner can make. Not only will it remove dangerous pet-related compounds from the air, but it will also improve air quality and keep you from making any pet allergies even worse.

Anyone who wants to stay away from pet allergies should invest in an air scrubber like the Abestorm 550 CFM or any similar unit. It will help improve the air within your home while eliminating most of the pet dander and any microscopic pollutants. Get yours today, and you'll have no problem dealing with any pet allergies in the future!