Many people love birds and keep them as pets. While they are lovely to watch, birds come with delicate systems and their feathers and dander can cause allergic reactions especially to people who already have allergies. Today, we’ll look at the best air purifier for birds.
Understanding Bird Dander
Bird dander is a conclusive term used to define the particles, dust, and odor which emanates from pet birds. When your birds flap their wings, they release a whole lot of pollutants in the air which can trigger allergies to your birds and your loved ones. Further, some bird species produce a unique type of feather dander known as bird powder. This bird substance is made of fine particles and can easily circulate across your room and into your system through inhalation.
Why is my bird so dusty?
All birds generate dander which in this case is the grooming of your pet bird’s feathers and the aftermath of new growth. Keratin coats the covering of a new feather and this is bound to dry as the feather grows. It will eventually disintegrate into tiny pieces which result in dander. Birds produce more dander during the preening and molting periods.
The Winged Wisdom e-zine magazine suggests that bird dander is usually triggered by an additional set of small feathers which leave a waxy fine powder made of keratin. The white powder waterproofs the birds and is circulated among the feathers during the grooming period. The powder provides the birds with a silky and soft feel. Lack of this powder in your pet birds can be an indication of illness. There are numerous species of birds some of which are popularly known for generating dust in fine form, also referred to as powder down birds.
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Is dust bad for birds?
When birds are in the forest, both dander and dust are harmless since they have sufficient wind and air and can move freely from one place to the other. While the birds generate the same amount of dander as confined birds, dander from forest-based birds disperses in the environment without accumulating to harmful levels.
Pet birds, however, lack this privilege seeing that they live in limited spaces. Fine particles of both dander and dust circulate and build up in the air and can cause serious effects both to the bird and humans if measures are not taken to eliminate it. Below are some bird dander and dust allergy symptoms.
- Itchy and watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Shortness of breath
- Rashed and itchy skin
- Sore throat and
- Post nasal drip
People with respiratory-related complications and asthma are at high risk of developing allergies from pet dander. Maintaining high-quality air in your surroundings will play a huge role in keeping your home clean and ensuring both you and your pets breath pure and non-contaminated air.
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Eliminating Bird Dust and Dander
If your bird doesn’t produce lots of dander, you don’t need to take drastic measures to eradicate it. However, if your pet generates loads of dander, you may need to consider more effective measures. There are numerous steps you can adopt to eradicate bird dander and dust without getting rid of your bird as seen below.
- Use a specially designed air purifier for birds to clean your pet’s room and enhance the quality of air in their surrounding. This will also play a big role in reducing allergic symptoms.
- Purchase a vacuum cleaner that’s specially made to block allergies and vacuum your room regularly to maintain as minimal dust as possible.
- Clean your pet’s cage more frequently using robust methods such as; replacing the pet cage liners and wiping surfaces. Where possible, use a disinfectant for enhanced cleanliness.
- Install floorboards in your pet bird rooms instead of carpets. The former is easier to clean as compared to the latter. Easy and thorough cleaning helps prevent particle buildup in carpets which are difficult to clean.
- Change your decorations and furniture and adopt easy to clean types. For instance, leather is easy to clean compared to fabric furniture. Blinds and plastic based curtains can be cleaned easily. What’s more, you should utilize vertical blinds as opposed to horizontal ones to prevent a buildup of dander.
- If you are prone to allergies, always wear a face mask while cleaning your pet bird’s cage
- Avail pet bird baths in the cage to allow your birds to clean themselves. You can also provide other types of bathing opportunities.
- Purchase a spray to facilitate removal of dander
- Keep a limited number of pet birds depending on the available space. However, you can keep as many birds as possible if space allows.
- Should you opt for an air purifier, ensure that it’s specially designed to HEPA standards replace the filter regularly.
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Are Air Purifiers Safe for Birds?
Technology has advanced and today you can find effective air purifiers specially designed for your pet birds. These gadgets help maintain healthy birds while ensuring they breath better. One of the most effective air filtration methods is guaranteed to eradicate both contaminants and small particles from the air such as chemical pollutants and mold. This method involves the use of an air purifier fitted with an active charcoal carbon filter and a true HEPA air filter.
The latter will eliminate particle contaminants from the air such as mold, dust, pollen, and fuel or smoke emissions. Active charcoal carbon filters then absorb harmful chemicals from the air such as; VOCs, off-gassing plastics and cleaning supplies. An air purifier minimizes air pollution from the air in your surroundings and enhances the quality of air making it safe both for you and your pet birds.
In order to protect your birds from lung infection, high ozone-generating air purifiers. However, you can choose an air purifier that features ozone free settings or ozone levels that are below the maximum recommended for human safety. There are various air filtration technologies such as UV-C light, ionic, ozone generators, and activated carbon.
These, however, may not be effective in terms of eliminating bird dander even though carbon can help eradicate pet odor. For activated carbon to eradicate odor, ensure it’s in pellet or granular form. Further, you need 3 pounds of carbon for strong pet odors. If your air purifier comes with an ionizer, you can easily switch it off. Remember, birds’ systems are delicate and you want to avoid any type of ozone anywhere near your birds. Ozone is an indoor air contaminant which is harmful to birds.
Considerations to make before Purchasing Air Purifiers for Birds
There are 3 main factors to consider when searching for the ideal air purifiers for your pet birds. First, ensure your preferred gadget features a highly effective true HEPA air filter complete with high quality and big size filter media. These are the ideal specifications for effective eradication of fine bird dust.
Secondly, the ideal air purifier gadget should have a solid motor and fan. To ensure effective filtration of air in your surrounding, there must be sufficient circulation of air. Finally, ensure that the system is secure for your birds. Look out for ozone generating air purifiers and avoid them. Purchase a HEPA filtration system complete with an option to switch off the auxiliary ionizer
Best air purifiers for bird owners
Below are some of the best air purifiers that you can purchase for your birds.
Max HEPA Air Purifier
The Max HEPA Air Purifier helps you clean the air and eradicates allergy-causing particles such as bacteria, pollen, dust, mold spores, and pet dander. It is specially designed to keep the air clean especially to avoid asthma triggers. This gadget is ideal for you if you have a pet bird. You can also use it in your bedroom, basement area, living room, or even office.
Not only is it compact, but it is also portable and you can move it from one place to the other with ease. This air purifier was ranked number one in a comprehensive study of air filters conducted in a University. It comes with an energy star certification having been tested by the AHAM test laboratory. You can use this air purifier in your baby’s room or even for your pet birds. Are you prone to nasal stuffiness?
Regain your comfort by purchasing this air purifier and improve the quality of air in your home. It’s silent and causes no disturbance to you or your pet birds. It’s easy to use and all you need is to plug it in a power outlet and enjoy fresher air in an allergy free environment. This gadget features an intelligent and smart air quality monitor which regulates the quality of air in your house and automatically modifies the speed of the gadget’s fan to guarantee the circulation of high-quality air.
Erik 650A Air Purifier
The Erik 650A Air Purifier is specially designed for use in a large room, laboratory, or even office. It helps eradicate airborne pollutants such as pet dander, smoke, mold, asthma causing allergies, and other airborne contaminants. It comes with robust medical grade filters manufactured in the USA and a powerful German motor. This air purifier has been fitted with robust filters which were ranked the most effective.
These filters have been utilized in the nuclear industry, in hospital operating rooms, laboratories, containment units, and pharmaceuticals. The package comes with a user manual, installed filters, and the Erik 650A Air Purifier. Enjoy the gadget’s ten-year warranty which not only gives you peace of mind, but it gives you value for your investment. You don’t have to buy filter replacements regularly to enjoy the warranty as is the case with various other warranty programs.
OV200 Air Purifier
The OV200 Air Purifier is specially designed to help you get rid of asthma-causing pollutants such as mold spores, pet dander, dust, and pollen. You can use it in your home if you have pet birds. It can be used in 400 square feet spaces and feature a 99% HEPA filter efficiency. If you are prone to nasal stuffiness, then this gadget will enhance the quality of air in your home and make your home cleaner and fresher.
You can enjoy your sleep without having to worry about the gadget’s noise. It’s designed to operate silently. You will enjoy using this gadget for your birds because it doesn’t generate ozone or have an ionizer. This air purifier is easy to utilize. You only need to plug it on a power source and delight in an allergy free environment enabling you to breathe with ease.
It offers easy access to the filter and comes with an intuitive user interface. There are no complex set-up procedures and the gadget comes with a remote control. This air purifier comes with a 10-year warranty.
EJ120 Air Purifier
The EJ120 Air Purifier is specially designed for large basement areas, laboratories, offices, and homes. It’s effective when it comes to eradicating smoke, dust, asthma causing allergies, mold, and pet dander. It features medical grade high-quality filters and a robust silent motor.
The filters are used in some of the high-end environments such as hospitals, pharmaceuticals, laboratories, and in the nuclear industry. The package comes with the EJ120 Air Purifier, user manual, and installed filters. This air purifier utilizes a softer carbon to enhance its odor eradication effectiveness.
Finally
Birds are beautiful to watch and it’s no wonder that more people are keeping them as pets. Still, their dander is not only annoying, but prolonged exposure to the same can also cause adverse health effects both for you and your birds. Remember, birds are adapted to live in the wild and confining them in your home can make them uncomfortable. In order to enhance their health and prevent allergy-related complications, choose one of the above-mentioned air purifiers specially designed for birds and enjoy good quality air in your environment. You can also find a review of the best whole house air purifier that will cover your entire needs here.