Can Air Purifiers Remove Cat Odor?

When I got my cat, I never expected it to release as much odor as it did. Initially, I thought it was just my cat, but later found out that most cats release odor so that made me feel better for a little while.

Over time, the smell really started to get to me, so I looked for solutions, and one of the long-term solutions I came across was getting an air purifier that can deal with cat odors.

Like you, I was quick to ask if that’s even possible.

After tons of research, I finally had the answer to the question, and in this article, I will share it with you.

I don’t want to leave things there though.

I also want to tell you more about how to get rid of cat odor using an air purifier and why you need an air purifier if you own a cat in the first place.

Can an Air Purifier Help With Cat Odors?

At first glance, it may not seem like an air purifier is going to be of any help when it comes to cat odors.

After all, at the most basic level, these machines are just fans and filters enclosed in a case.

And while modern HEPA filters can capture incredibly small particles, it still doesn’t do as well with gaseous particles.

Little did I know, HEPA filters aren’t the only filters you can find in most air purifiers.

I found that there were tons of air purifiers out there filters specifically designed to handle foul odors and keep a room smelling fresh.

And when I got one of these myself, I found that it worked incredibly well when it came to reducing the smell that my cat brought with it.

If you’re wondering what type of air purifier I got to deal with my cat’s odor, I’ll get into that in the following section.

What Type of Air Purifier Helps with Cat Odors?

The secret to finding an air purifier to handle cat odors is getting a model with an activated carbon filter.

Of course, you still can’t skip out on a HEPA filter, but when dealing with odors specifically, activated carbon filters are required.

Otherwise, you won’t be able to remove any odors in the room, which completely defeats the purpose of getting an air purifier in the first place if that’s all you need it for.

The reason activated carbon filters work well with cat odors is because they are designed to absorb gaseous particles.

For example, whenever your cat uses the litter box, it releases an odor into the air. An activated carbon filter can absorb these gasses and leave you with fresh-smelling air.

On top of that, activated carbon filters can also absorb volatile organic compounds or VOCs that you can find in many modern households.

So, if you’re looking to find an air purifier specifically to help you with your cat’s smell, then don’t skip out on an activated carbon filter.

With that being said, you shouldn’t totally eliminate the need for an air purifier with a HEPA filter as those are great at capturing fur and other particles that may be floating in the air that your cat has released.

How to Get Rid of Cat Odors Using an Air Purifier

The thing about buying an air purifier for cat odor is that you need to find the right model if you want it to work.

On top of that, you also need to consider how you’re using the air purifier because if you use the air purifier wrong, you won’t be able to completely eliminate the odors your cat releases in the air.

So, here’s everything you need to know about air purifiers and how to make the most of them when it comes to the removal of cat odor.

Find the Right Filtration System

Firstly, you need to find a high-quality filtration system that works for odors.

As I mentioned earlier, the only reason my air purifier can absorb and eliminate cat odors is because of the

activated carbon filter inside.

If there was one feature I would say is absolutely essential when shopping for an air purifier, it would be having the right filtration system specifically designed for your needs.

In my case, that feature was the activated carbon filter as it was the feature that could deal with the odor of my cat.

If you want to go a step further, you should look for an air purifier with a multi-stage filtration system.

During my research, I found that a combination of a pre-filter, a HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter worked the best. That way, not only did the air purifier deal with all the odors inside my home but also helped purify the air.

Do note that these aren’t the only features you will need to look out for when getting an air purifier to help with the odors your car releases into the air.

However, these are the ones I found to be the most important.

If you have a small room and don’t want to buy an air purifier that takes a whole lot of space yet you want it to deal with the dust, pet hair, and odors present in the air, you should consider LEVOIT air purifiers.

Some of their models allow you to switch out the filters depending on your specific need.

Find High-Quality Models

If you want your air purifier to deal with odors, particles, and other elements present in the air inside your home, it’s best to go for a higher-quality model.

This is because most high-end models have been built to deal with cat odor, and other particles in the air time and time again.

In other words, you can rely on your air purifier to really get the job done every time you need it to.

Additionally, you could also opt for models that come with a bunch of different features such as smart mode, auto mode, or even quiet mode.

These are all extra features that could improve your experience using the air purifier by helping you customize the unit more based on your needs.

To find high-quality models, you need to take your time to research.

Before landing on the model in my home, I made sure to read a bunch of reviews, watch multiple videos, and even go on message boards to get real-world opinions from actual people.

Again, this is going to take some time. However, I found that doing all that prior research was what made it easy to find the right model in the first place.

So, it will be more than worth it if you take some time out of your day to read up on air purifiers and which model would suit your needs the best.

Use the Air Purifier Properly

If you want to make sure you don’t smell that odor from your cat again, you need to keep the air purifier on constantly. While this might sound superfluous, it’s actually the best practice when using an air purifier. Most modern air purifiers are designed to stay on for 24 hours a day without consuming too much electricity or losing some of their power.

This is why I recommend getting models with smart or auto mode.

If it has these modes, you can leave the air purifier on and it uses its air quality sensor to determine whether it needs to work at high or low power or not to purify the air at all.

That way, your air purifier only works as hard as it needs to keep the air as clean as possible.

Additionally, placement is very important when using an air purifier. You always want to make sure that you place the air purifier in a spot where it can absorb as much air as possible.

This is why I don’t recommend turning your air purifier on in a corner, as it won’t be as effective there.

I’d personally recommend you to place the air purifier as much towards the middle of the room as possible.

This is how it gets the best airflow and works to ensure that you don’t end up breathing air that’s packed with particles and odor from your furry friend.

Lastly, I also suggest getting an air purifier that’s designed for the size of the room you plan on using it in. You don’t want to get a small air purifier for a large room as that simply won’t do the job.

This is why you need to measure the dimensions of your room before buying an air purifier to ensure that the device can handle all the air inside it.

Change the Filters Regularly

Maintenance is a huge part of owning an air purifier. You simply cannot ignore the needs of your unit if you want it to work at its best at all times.

This is because activated carbon and HEPA filters aren’t built to last forever. While there are some filters you can wash once or twice to extend their lifespan, you are going to have to replace the filters eventually.

To find out more about your air purifier’s specific needs, it’s best to read the user manual that comes with the unit. That way, you’ll know exactly what you need to do to your air purifier to keep it in a tip-top shape.

Why You Need an Air Purifier If You Own a Cat

Owning a cat is fun, but it can be challenging. For me personally, the biggest challenge was dealing with the odor, which was actually one of the reasons I started to look for an air purifier in the first place.

But the benefits of owning an air purifier don’t end there. If you own a cat, below I’ve listed some of the benefits of owning an air purifier.

Say Bye to Allergies

I have a lot of friends who like hanging out at my apartment. However, some of them would rather not because of their cat allergies. But if you have a high-quality air purifier, you can actually get rid of the allergens that cause people to sneeze and cough when around your furry animal.

This is because the main allergen in cats is their fur and the particles that come alongside it. Though you might not see them in the air, if you stay in a room long enough, they will end up in your lungs.

That’s why air purifiers with pre-filters and HEPA filters are really great.

So if your family or friends are allergic to your pet, owning such an air purifier would be of tremendous help.

Cleaner and Fresher Air

By far the biggest benefit of getting an air purifier as a cat owner is the better air quality you’ll get to breathe.

Air is essential for all living beings, so it won’t hurt to take a couple of steps to ensure that you’re breathing in clean air as much as possible. And when you’re at home, the best way you can do this is by getting an air purifier.

While these devices can eliminate foul odors, their main purpose is to clean the air.

Modern air purifiers are equipped to filter out dust, pollen, pet fur, and even VOCs that can cause you to harm over time. And if you want to keep these particles as far away from your lungs as possible, then you need an air purifier.

Conclusion

The best way to deal with the odor your cat releases into the air is by getting an air purifier. When I got my cat, the smell was my only complaint with my new feline friend. But after getting an air purifier, that complaint quickly went away.

Aside from the non-existent pet odor, I also get to enjoy dust and allergen-free air inside my home. And not to mention that my cat also gets to breathe in clean air, which is crucial for its wellness and overall quality of life.