Air filters with a MERV rating of 8 are capable of removing larger particles, such as pet hair, dust, and pollen. However, for pet owners, it's recommended to choose a filter with a higher MERV rating, such as 13, as it can capture smaller particles like pet dander, bacteria, and virus-carrying particles.
Best MERV Rating for Pets
A furnace filter with a MERV rating of 5-8 will stop fibers such as dog and cat hair. However, they won't stop dander, and that's what you should be concerned with. So, you'll want to look for a MERV filter of 13-16, so long as your furnace can handle that kind of filter.
This rating system measures how effectively an air filter can trap particles of varying sizes. For pet owners, a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 is typically recommended. These filters can capture most pet dander, dust, and other allergens without restricting airflow in your HVAC system.
Suitable for Most Homes: MERV 8 filters are effective at capturing larger particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander. For many homes, especially those without specific indoor air quality concerns, MERV 8 filters strike a good balance between filtration and airflow.
HEPA Filters: HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air and is the most efficient at filtering particles in the air, including pet dander. These mechanical filters work by forcing the air through a very fine mesh filter that removes even the tiniest particles from the air.
If you have pets in the home, you should consider changing your filter every 60 days, or 2 months, and for homes with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend changing your filter every 20-45 days.
HEPA filters are especially important as they capture 99.95% of particles as small as 0.1 microns. This means that pet dander, pollen, and other allergens are effectively trapped and prevented from recirculating.
For households working with tight budgets, MERV 8 filters offer cost-effectiveness and minimal upkeep requirements. Superior particle capture and enhanced air quality come with MERV 11 filters, making them suitable for dwellings with pets, allergies, or high pollution.
MERV 8: Less restrictive, allows for better airflow, holds up to the light and you can see through it. MERV 11: More restrictive, captures smaller particles, builds up debris faster, and increases pressure drop.
So, if you want a filter that CAN remove pet dander from their air inside your home, upgrade to a filter with a MERV rating of at least 10.
MERV 8 filters are sufficient for most homes. These filters are capable of trapping particles that exist in the average home, such as dust, pollen, and hairspray. MERV 8 filters allow good airflow and are not taxing on residential HVAC systems.
Because not all HVAC systems can use HEPA filters, air filters with a MERV rating of 13 to 16 are the best option to trap pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and dust mites, and they're highly effective for reducing allergens and improving indoor air quality.
Similar to the previous MERV filters, it is often recommended to replace MERV 8 filters every 90 days. As a side note, make sure to replace you air filter with the right air filter size.
AQI levels that are above 100 indicate potentially harmful conditions for both humans and pets. During these times, it's best to minimize the time that your pet spends outdoors (10-15 minutes max).
In general, the best MERV rating for a home is somewhere between 8-10. These filters will capture a large portion of the airborne particles and improve indoor air quality without making your energy costs rise significantly.
For most homes, a MERV rating between 8 and 13 strikes the perfect balance between filtration, airflow, and cost. A MERV 11 filter, for instance, can last up to six months and offers excellent air cleaning without putting too much strain on your HVAC system.
The MERV 11 air filter is the wrong choice for people who do not own pets and do not have any breathing trouble; this is because it can lead to restricted airflow. Air filters with higher ratings can also have negative effects on HVAC components.
MERV 5 to 8 – effective at controlling mold spores, hair spray, dust. Applicable in most commercial buildings, residences, industrial workplaces and paint booths. MERV 8 filters have 90 percent efficiency on particles that are 3 to 10 micrometers in size.
High-MERV filters increase the static pressure of your system, and if the ductwork is already marginal, this can cause the airflow to drop to a level where the temperature exceeds the furnace's limit.
For pet dander and allergies you'll want furnace filters with a MERV 8 to a MERV 13 rating. Furnace filters with a MERV 8 rating or higher can effectively remove pet dander from the air. On average, MERV 8 filters remove 85% of large air particles and 50% of small particles.
One disadvantage of the highest MERV rated filters is that: The pressure drop across high MERV filters is more.
Every pet product will claim to be the best at eliminating dander, but even dishwashing soap or baby shampoo will do the trick.
Although we can't stop our pets from shedding, we can simplify our lives with the assistance of an air purifier tailored for pet owners, like Winix air purifiers. These devices excel at capturing an impressive 99.99%* of airborne pet dander and particles as minuscule as 0.003 microns.
Clear dander efficiently
Vacuuming slowly and carefully, working in a pattern and using the right tools, increases the chances of catching pet dander.