Pets bring joy and companionship into our homes. They offer unconditional love, and we treat them like family. But while they add so much to our lives, they can also contribute to poor indoor air quality in ways most of us aren’t aware of.

As Mike Feldstein, founder of the air purifier company Jaspr, notes, “Pets are amazing, but they bring along fur, dander and allergens that can seriously affect your air quality. A lot of people don’t even realize it until they start feeling the effects.” If you’ve been experiencing sneezing, congestion or other allergy-like symptoms, your pets may be part of the problem.

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How Dogs Affect Indoor Air Quality

While dogs are our best buddies, they’re also notorious for tracking the outside world into your home. Every time they go outside, they pick up pollen, dirt and even chemicals from lawns and sidewalks, bringing them straight into your living space. Even if you’re diligent about keeping your home sparkling clean, your dog may be introducing new allergens every time they come back inside. These contaminants accumulate over time, and that impacts the air you breathe.

Beyond external pollutants, dogs also produce their own allergens. Their fur sheds constantly, floating through the air and settling on furniture and carpets. There’s also pet dander; the microscopic flakes of skin that become airborne and can trigger allergies and asthma. These particles can linger in the air and settle in fabrics, leading to prolonged exposure. Even people who aren’t usually allergic to dogs may find themselves reacting at some point, thanks to the continuous presence of these allergens.

Another often overlooked factor is moisture. Dogs add humidity to a home through their breath and wet fur, creating an environment where mould and mildew thrive. If you’ve ever noticed a musty smell or condensation on your windows, excess moisture from pets could be a contributing factor. Mould spores, in particular, can be harmful when inhaled. This can lead to respiratory issues and worsen conditions like asthma.

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How Cats Contribute to Indoor Air Issues

Cats, despite their reputation for cleanliness (and general awesomeness), present their own challenges when it comes to indoor air quality. In addition to shedding fur and dander, their litter boxes can be a significant source of airborne toxins.

Clumping litter, in particular, can release fine dust that circulates through your home, causing potential respiratory issues. This dust settles on floors, furniture, and bedding, so even people without direct contact with the litter box may be affected. Over time, inhaling these particles can cause irritation in the throat and lungs, particularly in those with preexisting respiratory conditions.

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Another concern is ammonia, a compound found in cat urine. In high concentrations, it can irritate the lungs and worsen existing respiratory conditions. A poorly maintained litter box can cause ammonia levels to rise, leading to an unpleasant, funky smell and possible health risks. Even if you clean regularly, some of these volatile organic compounds can linger in the air, further reducing indoor air quality.

Additionally, because cats groom themselves so frequently, they ingest environmental contaminants that later get released into the air through their saliva and fur. When a cat cleans itself, allergens, dirt and other particles can become airborne, further contributing to indoor air pollution. This is especially problematic in homes with multiple cats, where the concentration of allergens tends to be much higher.

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What You Can Do to Improve Air Quality

The good news is that there are several steps dog and cat owners (parents!) can take to improve indoor air quality. The first step is regular grooming. Brushing your pets frequently reduces the amount of fur and dander circulating in your home. Bathing dogs regularly and using pet-friendly, non-toxic shampoos can also help wash away allergens and nasty pollutants before they spread.

Frequent cleaning around the house is equally important. Vacuuming carpets, upholstery and pet beds with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can trap tiny particles before they become airborne. Washing pet bedding and household fabrics on a regular basis can prevent allergens from accumulating. For cat owners, switching to a low-dust, natural litter can reduce airborne toxins and improve overall air quality.

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Air filtration is another highly effective way to maintain a healthy home environment. Investing in a high-quality air purifier with a HEPA filter can help remove pet dander, fur and other airborne contaminants like mould and bacteria. These devices work best when placed in areas where pets spend the most time, such as living rooms and bedrooms. Some advanced purifiers also tackle odours using activated carbon, making the home feel fresher overall.

Ventilation also plays a crucial role. Opening windows periodically allows fresh air to circulate, reducing the concentration of indoor pollutants. If weather conditions make this difficult, using exhaust fans and dehumidifiers can help regulate humidity levels and prevent mould growth.

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A Healthier Home for You and Your Pets

Living with pets doesn’t mean you have to suffer from poor air quality. Simple adjustments like regular grooming, routine cleaning and using an air purifier can make a significant difference in the health of your indoor space. Understanding how pets impact air quality allows you to take proactive steps to make sure your home remains a clean and comfortable environment for both you and your furry babies.

Jaspr’s Mike Feldstein emphasizes the role of air purification in maintaining a healthy home. “We’ve helped so many pet owners create cleaner, healthier homes by tackling those invisible issues, and they tell us so! With an air purifier like Jaspr, you can enjoy the company of your pets without worrying about the air you’re breathing.”

When I told some of my mom friends that I would be trying out the Bissell Little Green for an upcoming article, they immediately said two words: Life changing. And after doing the dirty work myself, I can completely understand why — with a few caveats. While I may not be in my mom era yet, furbabies can give toddlers a run for their money when it comes to making your home look lived in. So, I unboxed the portable upholstery cleaner and put it to the test on my pup’s favourite napping spot, aka, my not-so-white couch.  

Bissell Little Green Pros

Listen, there’s a reason for the Bissell Little Green‘s over 65,000 ratings averaging at 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.ca. For being so compact, the Little Green is powerful — a lot more powerful than I expected for a machine retailing at approximately $120. 

I appreciated that the setup was simple enough to not have to dive too far into the instruction handbook and only took a couple of minutes. I used the trial Spot & Stain formula that came with the machine and filled the rest of the 48 ounces clean water tank with warm water. The rest of the setup was as simple as plugging it in. 

Before starting with the Little Green, I vacuumed the area that I would be cleaning and highly recommend you do the same. Though the suction is powerful, this machine is not intended to be vacuum. I’m embarrassed to say, some of the stains in our couch were very set-in — like months set-in. So, I sprayed any of the areas that looked particularly tough with the formula first and let them sit for a few minutes before going back in with the three inch Tough Stain Tool. I thought it would be best to work in a pattern from one side of the sofa to the other so I didn’t forget which areas I had already cleaned. Well, let’s just say it was very obvious which areas had been cleaned — no pattern necessary. I watched the clean solution turn into muddy water as it was sucked back up into the clear brush head. With the exception of a spot of red wine from who knows when, the Little Green transformed my sofa back to its former glory. I truly was not prepared for how equally disgusting and satisfying dumping the dirty tank of water would be. 

Bissell Little Green Cons 

For all that this cleaning gadget has right, there are a couple places where the Bissell Little Green just misses the mark. I’m not sure if it was user error, but when I was inserting the full clean water tank, it was leaking quite a bit. My next grievance may not be applicable to all, but I found the length of both the cord and the hose to be really restricting with the size of my sofa. I ended up adding an extension cord to give me a little bit more flexibility, but the shorter hose meant having to rest the body of the machine on the sofa instead of the floor. The included three inch Tough Stain Tool works wonderfully; however, it doesn’t come apart for cleaning itself (a design flaw I believe Bissell is well aware of considering they released an updated version that does). If you opt for the model I tried though, vacuuming your surfaces before will help reduce the amount of debris that could get trapped in the attachment. 

Is the Bissell Little Green worth the hype?

As a proud contributor and consumer of #CleanTok (its 107.3 billion views leads me to believe some of you are too), I am happy to report that the viral clips of dirt lifting seamlessly from seemingly the direst fabrics imaginable are not AI generated. The Bissell Little Green is (nearly) perfect for what it is. For smaller, quick and dirty jobs, this is the portable answer you’ve been searching for. If you’re looking to tackle larger deep cleans like my large white sectional or an entire carpet, I would opt for one of Bissell’s more robust spot cleaners or carpet cleaners or be ready to spend a lot of time going back and forth to the sink to dump the dirty tank.