Consider the fact that your pets spend most of their lives inside your house, you can begin to get an understanding of how vulnerable they are to the pollutants, toxins, infections, and allergens in the house. Over the years, multiple EPA studies have suggested that the indoor air quality is significantly more polluted than the outdoor air. Some estimates put the indoor air pollution at 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor pollution. That’s shocking, to say the least.
Pets, being more sensitive to pollutants than humans, experience significantly worse health effects because of pollutants and toxins in the air. Prolonged exposure to polluted air not only causes severe health complications in them but also drastically brings down their life expectancy.
Here are some ways your indoor air could be working like a slow poison for your pets.
1. Smog, Smokes and Fumes
Smog, cigarette smoke, and fumes released by household appliances like inverters cause reactions in humans. However, they can be fatal for our pets. They can cause suffocation in them and lead to death. What’s worse is that a number of pets, especially some dog breeds, are born with respiratory problems. Any interference to their already strained breathing can lead to drastic consequences when they are in a different room or alone in the house.
2. Mold and Allergens
Mold spores, plan pollen, and many other allergens that are invisible to the naked eye can cause severe bouts of pet allergies. Sustained exposure to allergens can even result on bronchitis, asthma, and other permanent health problems.
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3. Chemicals and VOCs
Our indoors are home to a complex variety of chemicals that we continuously pump into the air – room fresheners, disinfectants, cosmetics, mosquito repellants, and an assortment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are organic chemicals released from paints, primers, varnishes, wax, and other such sources. The bulk of these chemicals are carcinogenic aerosols and have a particularly strong effect on the health of our furry friends. Even when they do not lead to cancer, they impair the functioning of the lungs and the heart.
4. Dust Mites
Dust mites deserve a special mention in this post.
We welcome our pets into our homes with open hands and hearts and provide them protection from the elements. In doing so, we expose them to the same enemies that we are constantly battling indoors. None of those enemies is as pervasive as dust mites. It lives in carpeting, bedding, upholstery, and wherever else it can find a warm and moist place. Studies have shown that as much as 80% of pet allergies are caused by dust mites. They cause itching, ear infections, skin infections, a variety of inflammations, and other allergies. Eradicating them is crucial for the health of your pets.
What Can You Do?
For starters, you can find out what’s hurting your pet. Environmental testing professionals like Indoor Doctor can test your indoor air quality for an exhaustive list of toxins, pollutants, allergens, and chemicals that could be causing short-term as well as long-term health issues in you, your family, and your pets. Once you identify the culprits, you can take remedial action to eliminate those threats from your house for good.
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Contact Indoor Doctor today to safeguard the health and future of your beloved pets.
