The Best Cat Wipes

Pogi's Feline Grooming Wipes

If you're looking for a great general wipe then Pogi's has you covered with their grooming wipes. Not only are they incredibly environmentally friendly, but they also do a wonderful job. They are made from bamboo so they'll help keep land fills free of wipes by quickly breaking down.

Pogi's also produces two different scents which is great for folks who have an extra sensitive cat. The two main options are green tea scented and unscented. 

A few other key features worth noting:

"These have worked great for my poor kitties that are suffering from a bit of diarrhea. No irritation even when used right on their sensitive behinds."

They key item worth noting on these wipes:

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Veterinary Sciences Butt Wipes

Dirty butt? Clean it up with Veterinary Sciences Butt Wipes for cats! These are specially formulated to be safe and effective at cleaning up your cat's behind when it gets a little too dirty for your liking.

Cats can easily end up with a dirty butt for many reasons, but the most common reasons are definitely age and weight. Age tends to result in arthritis which can make it hard for your feline friend to turn and reach their butt. Obesity in cats does the same thing, it makes the rear end unreachable.

These wipes will make it easy for you to clean up your cat's behind so they are both smelling and feeling good. And of course so they won't leave stains all over your furniture too.

A few other key items worth noting on these wipes:

"My cat is a fat cat to say the least. We adopted him from a shelter when he was already 20 pounds, and although he's losing weight (down to 18!) we needed a way to help him clean his butt. These work like a charm and we've seen no irritation at all even after days of repeated use."

The only key item worth noting on these wipes is:

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Burt's Bees Dander Reducing Wipes

Burt's Bees is primarily known for their products that serve us humans. They make pretty much every moisturizer known to man and they do a great job at it. I use their lip balm and cuticle cream every winter!

But in this case they are going for helping your kitty if he or she has a bit (or a lot) of dandruff surfacing in her coat or even a red irritated bit of skin somewhere on her body. And while a HEPA air purifier will help full some of that extra dander out of the air, these special wipes will help address the problem at the site!

You'll want to know about all these great features too:

"These do a great job for my kitty with a bit of dandruff. The wipe is pretty neutral scent wise and the dampness helps pick up all the dandruff and some loose fur too. It helps that there are no harsh chemicals in it too!"

You'll want to consider the following before purchasing:

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PetMD Antiseptic Wipes

These wipes are specially formulated to help you and your kitty fight off a bacterial or fungal infection of some kind. If your cat has a skin problem or even a small cut these are the perfect option for disinfecting it!

In some cases these are even sufficient for treating a breakout of ringworm on your cat. You'll definitely want to check with your vet to see if this is sufficient or if a full body dip is a better choice, but worth mentioning for sure!!

And you know with the Pet MD logo on them they are the best out there. You'll want to keep these items in mind too:

"After only two weeks these are making a huge dent in the acne King Odin has. He is looking much healthier and happier than he was, even though he still doesn't love me wiping his face. He tolerates it well enough, he seems to understand it is helping."

The biggest complaint people have with these wipes is:

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SofiesSecret XL All in One Wipes

If you're looking for an alternative to bathing your cat then SofiesSecret has you covered with their amazing 100% natural ingredient based wipes. Only the best natural ingredients are included so they can be used anywhere on your kitty for a full bathing experience.

Beyond making an excellent product, SofiesSecret cares about your well being, the environment and our furry friends. This product is cruelty free, SofiesSecret is PETA approved, Green America and Leaping Bunny certified. Quite a list of accolades! 

You'll also want to know the following about these wipes:

"Bennie is a long hair and is super sensitive to anything on his skin. These have worked wonders when stuff gets stuck in the hair around his rear end and they haven't caused a single reaction yet!"

It is worth noting the following before purchase:

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Petpost Ear Cleaning Wipes for Cats

If you've got a kitty that just can't seem to keep his ears clean then these wipes will help remedy that problem in no time! If you're not sure why you'd want to do that, the answer is simple.

Debris and gunk in your cat's ears can easily lead to ear mites which cause massive irritation and can cause all sorts of longer term health problems for your cat if left alone.  

These wipes will easily wipe away the waxy build up and any other gunk that finds its way into your cat's ears!

A few things worth noting about this product:

"My cat is old and set in her ways. She hates having her ears and her tail touched. When I saw she was getting build up in her ears I decided to try these out. Although she didn't love me touching her ears they are now clean and clear and she didn't even claw me!"

It is worth noting the following on using this product optimally:

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Nature's Miracle Deodorizing Wipes

Nature’s Miracle makes a truck load of excellent products for cats and dogs. These deodorizing wipes are great for quick clean ups between bathing or even good to replace bathing if your cat sill largely grooms herself!!

The alcohol free formula is mild enough for everyday use and it will safely remove dirt, dander and odors that may be stuck in your cat's fur. These wipes are enriched with moisturizing conditioners to leave skin and coat healthy and shiny. 

A few other things worth noting about these wipes:

"These work great on both my cats and my dogs. They always smell so nice afterward. I was worried at first because of the scent, but I figured I could always use them on my dog if the cats hated it. They seem to approve with all their paws though!"

You'll definitely want to consider the following before purchase:

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Well & Good Cat Eye Wipes

If your cat tends to develop a lot of goop around her eyes, like my cat Beastling does, then these are the perfect option for you. They are specially designed to be used right around the eyes and not cause any irritation or redness.

It is important to clean up gunk and goop around your cat's eyes to keep them from getting infected or otherwise irritated and these are the best option for the job.

Do keep in mind you still don't want to touch the actual eye with these pads as it can cause irritation!

A few other things worth noting about these:

"Jackson purrs and closes his eyes when I wipe his face with these. That's the only approval I need, he clearly loves it. And I love it too, no more nasty black goop around the eyes!"

It is worth considering the following before purchasing these:

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Feliway Calming Cat Wipes

If you have a feline friend that is very easily stressed out by situations like travel then these Feliway Wipes can be a huge perk.

Feliway is traditionally used through a special diffuser that you plug into the wall, but these wipes modify that process to make them immediately usable.

Simply pop open the package and wipe your kitty carrier down with this Feliway Wipe to help calm and comfort them. The primary use is definitely travel related, but you can use them for any potentially stressful situation.

A few other things worth noting about these Feliway Wipes:

"After a big move my cats were not adjusting well to the new home. After trying everything I could think of I decided to give these wipes a shot. Half a dozen wipes later and a little work running them along my furniture and my cats are finally settled in!"

It is worth noting the following before purchasing:

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Bodhi Cat Paw Wipes

If you've got a cat that loves the outdoors, but you hate all of the dirt and junk that they track into the house then these are the wipes for you. Specially formulated just for pet paws these are the perfect addition to any house with indoor/outdoor cats!

An automated robot vacuum will help pick up some of the dirt and a cat door will help control indoor and outdoor access, but if you truly want to let your cat be free these wipes make it easy!

A few other items worth noting about these wipes:

"My cat Pater is absolutely against baths. The second I even think about it he is gone and hiding under the bed where I can't get to him. These wipes have done an excellent job, especially since he loves exploring the woods behind our house."

It is worth noting the following before purchasing:

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Pet Naturals Flea & Tick Wipes

Anyone with an outdoor cat has tons of extra things to consider compared to people with full on indoor cats. They usually need a collar for safety and they might even have a GPS tracker to find them in case they get lost!

But beyond being able to find your kitty you'll also want to ensure they have proper flea and tick control. Without it they can easily get incredibly sick, potentially even fatally if ticks get ahold of them and you don't find it quickly enough!

These wipes are specially designed to help deter fleas and ticks:

"These have done a great job of helping minimize flea infestations on my Fonzie. He loves the outdoors, especially in new areas to explore. These are easy to travel with too which is an added bonus."

One key item worth noting before purchasing these wipes:

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Additional Information

What Kinds of Wipes Are there?

You may have thought that there are only wipes out there for cleaning up a dirty spot in your cat's fur, but there are surprisingly wipes out there for pretty much everything you can think of including flea and tick control.

All In One Cleansing Wipes

Most wipes are dedicated to cleaning for one purpose or another. It could be cleaning a specific body part or it might be focused on cleaning up dander or wiping away stray hair.  All in one wipes are designed to be used pretty much anywhere on your cat and for any cleaning purpose.

Note that they won't be much help from a behavior standpoint or for repelling insects.

Butt / Tush Wipes

These wipes are specifically designed to help you clean up a mess around your kitty's rear end.  If you have a cat that has to wear diapers due to a medical reason or age then these are a great option.

They also do a wonderful job of simply  helping you clean up your cat's butt end if they don't seem to do it themselves for whatever reason. The most common reasons for a cat not cleaning their butt are weight and arthritis.

Eye Wipes

Some cats simply have a lot of good that drains out of their eyes. My cat Beastling isn't sick on a consistent basis, but her eyes tend to produce a lot more stuff that sticks to the edges of her eyes than another other healthy cat I've met.

Eye wipes are a great and safe way to clean away the gook without irritating your cat's eyes in the process.

Ear Wipes

Cats can't really clean their own ears easily. If they go outside they are prone to get a lot of extra dirt and debris floating around and it can end up in their ears making them filthy.

It can also lead to ear mites being more easily missed because you're used to seeing dark spots on your cat.

Ear wipes are specially formulated to help you safely clean your cat's ears and wipe away any of the waxy or nasty buildup that can occur in and around them.

Dander Wipes

Some kitties have a tougher time than others controlling their dander. And while cats have all sorts of shampoos out there to help them control dander it is a heck of a lot easier to use and apply a wipe than it is to give most cats a bath of any form.

On top of these dander wipes are a heck of a lot more mobile than a bath tub so you can easily apply them on a consistent basis.  

It is also worth noting that if your cat is having dandruff you may want to consider brushing them on a daily basis to help spread natural oils through their fur which can help prevent dander.

Paw Wipes

Does your kitty go outside?  When they do they love to roam and they are amazing at finding their way into hard to reach spots where we humans can't follow.

In the process their little paws get dirty and track all sorts of fun dirt and leaves and such into the house.

Paw wipes are designed with this in mind. They are gentle but also extra durable to make it easy to give your cat's paws a nice deep clean when they come in from a romp outside!

Flea, Tick & Mosquito Repellent Wipes

Any indoor/outdoor cat that heads out into the wilderness on a common basis probably has their own cool cat door and they probably need protection from all the insects prowling the fields and trees.

Cats can of course use specific collars to help combat insects, but when you've got a cat that can't stand a collar then sometimes a wipe can do a better job than no protection at all! 

Behavior Relaxing Wipes

If you're not familiar with Feliway then it is worth reading up on it a little bit. The general idea is that it is a synthetic pheromone that will help your cat feel calm and comfortable.

Feliway is traditionally applied using a diffuser that can take hours or even days to have an impact because it needs to permeate the entire room.  

The wipes skip this process and directly apply the pheromone directly to your kitty for immediate assistance!

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What Features Should I Consider?

Wipes, no matter their purpose, have a few general features you should consider before you make a purchase. Depending on what you need your wipe for you'll need to prioritize different factors.

Material

Wipes for pets can be made of a wide variety of materials, but you'll want to find one that can be both durable and soft.  More often than not you'll find them made of things like hemp or bamboo fibers that are also a renewable resource which is a huge perk if you need them often.

You'll also find a lot of wipes out there specifically called Natural Cat Wipes. Natural cat wipes indicate that nothing in the wipe was processed or made, all of the items naturally occur in nature and they've simply been combined. 

Size

If you've got a regular old house cat that's somewhere between 8 and 15 pounds then most of these wipes will get the job done from a size standpoint.

If on the other hand you've got a Maine Coon that goes outdoors or has an issue with a dirty butt then you'll definitely want to look for extra large sized wipes to ensure you don't need to use multiples each time!

Durability

Most wipes these days are designed specifically to be quite durable, but you'll definitely want to lean toward extra durable wipes if you're doing something like cleaning dried gunk off your cat's butt or paws.

If you get a wipe that isn't durable it can easily tear or get stuck in around sensitive areas which will likely cause your cat to run any time they see you with a wipe!

Packaging

Wipes come in a bunch of different packages. If you're going to be using them on a more consistent basis you can consider pretty much any kind of package out there as you don't need to worry about them drying out.

If on the other hand wipes seem to be something you only need once in a while then I'd recommend aiming for one of the solid plastic cylindrical containers that have a complete seal on the top of them. 

This type of seal ensures that you won't run into issues that are more common with your traditional soft and flexible packaging that is most common with baby wipes.

These types of packages often don't seal very well and the wipes will dry out over a few weeks.

Hypoallergenic Wipes

Most wipes for cats are designed with the absolute minimum number of ingredients already, but if you've got a cat that has extra sensitive skin then you may need to consider looking for hypoallergenic wipes.

These wipes will be made of special materials and use ingredients that are least likely to cause an allergic reaction in your cat. You'll often find that natural cat wipes tend to be hypoallergenic.

Antibacterial / Antiseptic

Some wipes are specifically designed to kill of bacteria using a variation of chlorine. These are most commonly used for cats (and dogs) that run into bacterial or fungal skin infections.

They can also help kill off ringworm, though a full body 'dip' is widely considered the most effective treatment for ringworm by veterinarians and shelters.

Not only are they far easier than bathing your cat on a consistent basis, they tend to be a heck of a lot more convenient from a time perspective as well.

Clearly this type of wipe should stay away from places like your cats eyes.

Additives

You'll want to take a close look at any of the additives that have been put in the wipes you are considering. With cats it is especially important to consider the scents that may be added to wipes.

Cats are incredibly sensitive to different scents and smells and a wipe with an additive for scent can make them very uncomfortable and ensure that every time they see a wipe they run for the hills.

Earth Friendliness

To say the least wipes can be far worse for the environment than something like traditional toilet paper. They are also generally things that shouldn't be flushed down the toilet no matter what they say on the package.

Given this it is important to look for wipes that are made of renewable and biodegradable resources. In this case you're typically looking for a wipe that is made of something like bamboo or hemp to ensure it will naturally decompose in a landfill.

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Can Wipes Be An Alternative to Bathing?

Wipes can certainly be a alternative to baths, but they might not give you the same level of cleaning or the same effect as an actual bath. It will completely depend on the purpose of the bath.

If you're just trying to give your kitty a good cleaning then the wipes are probably an equivalent that will mostly get the job done.

If you're also just cleaning your cat's paws or maybe wiping their ears or their eyes for preventative purposes then they are a great option in place of a full on bath. 

If however you have a different reason for bathing, like extremely matted fur around your cat's butt, then a wipe probably won't solve this type of problem. A butt bath is typically more effective.

Wipes are also not a successful alternative to dealing with fleas if your cat already has them. A full on bath with flea shampoo is going to be far more successful than a short wiping session.

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How Do I Use The Wipes?

If you're not clear on how to use a wipe to clean your cat then this video can give you a little bit of help. It'll show you how to help groom cats that commonly like to roll in dirt outside.

Note that in the video he is using a Furminator and also the EarthBath Cat Wipes which are widely considered one of the best wipes around (and one of my number one selections).

If you're looking for some help on how to clean a cat's butt then you can check out this video which is incredibly useful for anyone that's never done this before. A few things worth noting in advance:

• In this video he is simply using a rag and water instead of a formulated cat wipe
• He has the calmest cat ever when the hair dryer turns on, mine run for the hills
• This video has some vulgar language used in it before you open it up

For more specialized help in how to leverage cat wipes for cleaning your cats eyes or ears you should definitely consult your veterinarian, but this video may also come in handy for eyes in particular:

Your vet can also help you select the most appropriate wipes for your cat's unique situation if you're not quite sure what to do!

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Do It Yourself Cat Wipes

You can of course make your own do it yourself cat wipes, but depending on what you need them for this may or may not be very successful.  in particular you can easily do this for general grooming purposes, especially for things like cleaning your cat's paws.

I would highly recommend you do not attempt to make your own antibacterial or specialized cleaning pads. If you can't afford traditional cleaning wipes or you simply don't want to waste them then you can usually use a clean wash cloth with just plan old clean water for most purposes.

If you're interested in making your own paw cleaning wipes though check out this video from My Furry Family:

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Can I Use Baby Wipes?

You should not use baby wipes or even wipes formulated for adult humans on a cat.  These wipes often have chemicals or additives that can easily irritate your cat's skin.

The most common type of additive you'll find in wipes for humans is that they are scented. Cats generally speaking don't like foreign scents or smells being near them and dislike them being applied even more.

Even if you have unscented wipes made for humans you probably shouldn't use these wipes on your feline friend unless you first consult your veterinarian to ensure they won't cause any reactions.

I'd also highly recommend that if you do decide to try one out that you try it in a very small area first and give it a few minutes or hours to determine whether or not there is a reaction. If you do see any immediate reaction definitely get your cat to the vet immediately for assessment and treatment.

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Can I Use Makeup Wipes?

While makeup removal wipes have certainly changed in the past few years, they are still formulated for humans instead of for cats. You should not use makeup wipes to clean your cat.

If you do decide to use one you run the risk of significantly irritating your cat wherever you decide to apply the wipe.

If you have no other wipes and you've got an emergency on hand I'd highly recommend simply using a damp cloth and regular old water.

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What About Soap and Water?

Soap and water may sound like a great and easily accessible alternative, but you'll want to be very careful with any cleaning or disinfecting products around your cat.

Most household soaps have been designed to work well around human skin and not cause irritation, but that's not true for cats and dogs.

While you can absolutely use a soft damp cloth to help clean you'll probably want to avoid any use of traditional hand or dish soap. It is likely to cause irritation, especially if it is used consistently.

Be sure to wash any cloths you use immediately, especially if you use them on your cat's behind. No surprise, there is a significant amount of bacteria there and you wouldn't want to inadvertently spread it.

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Wrap Up on the Best Cat Wipes 2020

You might have been surprised to learn there are so many different kinds of wipes out there for cats!  As more and more research surfaces about cats we'll continue to see more specialized products.

Most cat wipes are designed for cleaning one body part or another and then there are a few other key types for behavioral modification and for insect control.  

Most of the body part related wipes have limited differences, but just like with drugs for humans you're better off only using wipes for their intended purpose.

If you have any questions about the best wipes for cats please leave a comment below and I'll do my best to address it as quickly as possible!

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Additional Information

Wrap Up On The Best Sisal Cat Scratchers

If you're looking for something for your cat to scratch than you really can't do better than sisal. The best sisal cat scratchers are durable, affordable, biodegradable and your cats will love them.

There are a ton of different options and designs to choose from too. There are even sisal fabrics that can essentially be mounted in almost any shape or format so you can find a scratcher engineered to meet the needs of your specific feline friend(s). 

If you've got experience with a specific sisal scratching post or mat that I haven't listed please let me know in the comments so I can get it added. Or if you've got another preferred scratching post that is made of something else let us know too!

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The Best ​Air Purifiers for Cats

This truly is the ultimate air purifier for pets and it works amazingly well for cat allergens as well as cat odors. Most HEPA based filters don't do much for scents, but the Winix also includes a carbon filter to directly target odors.

On top of that, Winix was founded over 40 years ago with the simple goal of providing clean air and water to their customers. The Winix WAC9500 hits the nail right on the head for providing clean air!

A few major features worth calling out:

"This filter did a way better job than I expected. I don't even need to take my daily Claritin anymore because I can sleep without reactions!"

It is worth noting the following before making a purchase:

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The Hathaspace 6 in 1 Smart filter is the perfect solution for allergy season, even if that season is year round in a cat filled households. It will also clean up other particles that bother asthma sufferers and ensure families have a safer air environment for their home.

It features a true HEPA filter that will remove 99.97% of impurities  like dust mites, allergens, pet dander, pollen, mold, smoke, bacteria, viruses, and toxic chemicals. While the HEPA filter focuses on dander, there are 5 other stages designed to clean up the rest!

A few key features worth noting on this model:

"The Hathaspace not only removes dander, but is very effective at removing cat litter-box odors! It includes a nano-cold catalyst filter to pull ammonia, the biggest cause of litter box odor, out of the air!"

The only key drawback worth noting on this model is:

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If you've got a large room that you need to keep clean then this is definitely one of the best models to consider. Levoit specifically designed this model to go after rooms that are well over 300 square feet. Got a combination living room / kitchen? This is a great option!

Levoit has also taken into account that other models may produce trace amounts of pollutants like ozone during cleaning and decided to leave these filtration stages out of their purifier. This is one of the cleanest running purifiers on the market today.

A few other features you'll definitely want to note when considering this model:

"Pleasantly surprised by the automatic sensors. Every time I clean the litter box it kicks right into high mode and sucks up all the dust! It has been a miracle worker so far."

You'll want to keep the following in mind before you make a purchase:

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This model is a great option for folks on a budget. Made by Hamilton Beach it is designed to eliminate odors and eliminate the need to replace your HEPA filters on a recurring basis. 

It features a permanent HEPA filter that can be vacuumed off which will save you a significant amount of money on replacement filters over the long haul. Do note the carbon based odor filters will still need to be replaced on a recurring basis if odor is an issue.

Here are a few of the other key features worth noting:

"Our 'office' constantly has tons of litter dust floating from our 3 cats. We bought this to help and boy has it done the job. No more dusty film floating around throughout the day!"

The key drawback to this model is:

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If you've got an absolutely huge space and you want to customize your purifier to match your decor then the BreatheSmart can simply not be beat.  It is designed to clean a massive amount of air and you can choose from a huge variety of colors.

On top of this the BreatheSmart is equipped with some of the most advanced technology on the market to ensure you get the cleanest and best smelling air possible from an air purifier. There are various options to choose from depending on what you need to clean!

You'll definitely want to check out the following features:

"Made a significant difference for my asthmatic son with our 14 year old cat. We couldn't give her up after having her since a kitten, but our son was struggling even with our girl restricted to the basement. The BreatheSmart made a huge difference, no more emergency inhaler use in the house!"

One key item worth noting on this model is the following:

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The Germ Guardian is an air purifier created by Guardian Technologies. Guardian has their products checked for authenticity and validation by Verifide, a trusted 3rd party, to ensure they meet all standards! Talk about wanting to build consumer trust, Guardian is top notch at this.

The Germ Guardian has a 3 layer filtration system to focus on different types of filtration ensuring you get the cleanest air possible. This model is also Energy Star Certified and Carb Compliant meaning it is one of the most energy efficient models available.

A couple of other key items worth noting about this model:

"My cat has extra pungent urine, it sometimes permeates the entire house. I put this right next to the litter box and it sucked the smell right out of the air! Finally, a clean smelling house again!"

One key concern about this model that you'll want to consider

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If you're looking to not only clean your air, but add a scent to it, then PARTU has quite the invention for you. This model is designed to suck all the allergens out of the air with a two stage carbon/HEPA filters, so it does a great job cleaning the air.

But as an added bonus, as it sends clean air back out you can add a fragrance to your air. Simply purchase a fragrance (essential oils work great) you like and drop it right onto the built in sponge to have outgoing air pass through it. Want your home to smell like an ocean breeze, simply add a few drops and you'll think you're on the beach in no time!

A few other key items worth noting about this model:

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HoneyWell has been in the home appliance and electronics space for decades and is known for making great products. The QuietCare 17000-S is an excellent air purifier designed to provide a safe breathing environment by eliminating dust, pollen, mold, spores, tobacco and of course cat dander!

A couple of other key items worth noting about this model:

"My wife bought this to place next to the litter box in the 'cat room' and it has done a great job of reducing litter dust and sucking up massive amounts of cat fur. We give it two thumbs up!"

Worth noting the following before making a purchase:

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Additional Information

Americans & Cat Allergies

Nearly a third of Americans with allergies are allergic to cats or dogs. Unfortunately, twice as many people have cat allergies as compared to those that have dog allergies.

If you've already got a cat in your home determining the cause of your allergies can be even more difficult because it isn't a controlled environment. Not only do you have allergens that come from cats, but you also have molds, mildews, dust mites and all sorts of other things that can cause similar issues. 

If you're not 100% sure you have an allergy to cats then you should definitely go to the doctor and have a test performed to determine what you are and aren't allergic to. This will verify exactly what the cause is.

Causes of Cat Allergies

Allergies in general are caused by your body attacking a foreign substance.  This is exactly what your immune system does when it is fighting off a cold or even a bacterial infection.

In the case of allergies though your body is making a mistake and identifying something that isn't harmful as a dangerous substance and attacking it by producing antibodies. This then causes all sorts of symptoms from a runny nose to difficulty breathing.

While most people tend to believe that cat hair is the most common cause of cat allergies, it is in fact typically caused by cat dander. Dander is basically dead skin from your cat and they shed it just like we humans shed our skin particles on a daily basis.

Pet dander tends to be the most prominent allergen and you don’t have to own a cat or even have seen one to have a reaction either.

Dander is lightweight and is easily carried or from place to place in the air or it can travel on people’s clothes. Generally though, signs of a cat allergy usually follow shortly after you come in contact with cat dander, saliva, or urine. 

Note that cat saliva has a specific protein in it that most commonly causes the allergic reaction, it is called Fel D1 and you can read more about it here on Wikipedia.

Pet hair is actually not an allergen, it is typically considered an allergen because it gets pet dander or other allergens on it that then cause a reaction.

Pet allergens can stay active as allergens for extended periods of time, sometimes even for several months.  The allergens cling to walls, furniture, clothing and other surfaces and upon contact can cause a reaction.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms experienced by people allergic to cats are swelling and itching of the eyes and nose which usually causes a stuffy or runny nose. Some may also develop a rash wherever the allergen came into contact with the body. Fatigue is also something people with cat allergies commonly experience.

If you happen to breathe in the allergens, in particularly dander, you can also experience difficulty breathing as well as coughing or wheezing. Asthma attacks mat take place in more extreme cases. 

Many people with asthma have a severe attack upon interacting with cats so if you're a cat owner you should be extra careful in notifying new friends of your cats before they come to your house the first time.

The cat allergen that over 90 percent of people with cat allergies react to comes from cat saliva and skin. It’s found in higher levels on male cats and is transferred to a cat’s fur during grooming.

Treating Cat Allergies

There are many ways to treat cat allergies, here are a few of the most common:

• Avoid interactions with the allergens at all costs, basically don't have or interact with cats
• Minimize the number of allergens:
  • Keep your cats restricted to specific rooms
  • Get an excellent air purifier with a HEPA filter
  • Have your family brush your cats daily
  • Hire someone to brush your cat's teeth
  • Get an automatic litter box & wear gloves when scooping
• If you're still experiencing symptoms you can explore these options:
  • Antihistamines like Benadryl are good options for one off experiences
  • Antihistamines like Claritin or Zyrtec are better for ongoing interactions
  • Nasal sprays such like Flonase may work for both short term or extended relief
  • Allergy shots may help desensitize you to an allergen over the long term

Home remedies

Nasal irrigation is a home remedy for many things, including the treatment of of cat allergies. You basically use water to rinse your nasal passages out. Generally you use salt water for this process.

While there are a ton of brands out there for nasal irrigation, the most common you'll find is a Neti Pot. This article on WebMD will give you extensive details on how to create the salt water and perform the process.

Acupuncture, probiotics and some herbal supplements have also shown some ability to improve the symptoms of allergies. While there hasn't been any research into the specifics for pet allergies, it may be worth considering these options if you've not had luck with other treatments.

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Hands down, the best option to reduce the impact of allergies is to avoid whatever causes them. This might mean you shouldn't adopt or interact with cats.

If you've already got a feline friend though it leaves you in a more precarious position. You'll most likely have no interest in getting rid of your kitty friend so you'll need to do your best to reduce the impact of the allergens!

While having someone else perform key tasks (feeding/brushing/scooping/petting) will certainly help, you'll want to take things a step farther. Some of these strategies may help your allergy:

If you have a severe cat allergy, talk to your doctor about immunotherapy for a long-term treatment solution.

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Before making any rash decisions regarding your feline friend and a suspected allergy you'll first want to verify it is indeed the cat that is causing your reactions! There are a couple of different ways to go about testing which are each detailed below.

If you decide to move forward with a test you'll want to call an allergist and schedule an appointment and provide details on why you're having the test done. Be sure to ask if there are any potential side effects from medication you're currently taking as well.

There key types of allergy testing are usually bucketed into these three categories, ordered from the most common to the least common.

Skin Prick Tests

This is a very generic allergy test and can be used for almost any allergen you can think of. It works on the simple premise of sticking a small amount of a potential allergen onto your skin with a needle and waiting to see what happens.

You’ll typically be tested for several allergens at the same time. The first time I had this done I had 15 different allergens tested at once. I was being tested for mold, not cat allergies though!

Your doctor will likely test other potential culprits instead of just cat dander to identify the cause of your allergies. You'll also get a control to ensure that there aren't any false positives.

If any allergies are identified the site usually swells or starts to itch like crazy which shows you're allergic. Fortunately the amount of allergen used is tiny and the effect will usually go away quickly.

Intradermal Skin Testing

As opposed to simply pricking the skin with a needle, intradermal testing actually injects the allergens under the skin. This can cause the same allergic reactions that you'd see from a skin prick test.

Unfortunately injecting foreign substances under your skin tends to cause more reactions than simple pin pricks, this can lead to falsely identifying allergens where none exist.

Blood Testing

Similar to any other blood test, your doctor will draw blood and send it to a lab for testing. This is most commonly done for people that have a skin condition that makes the other methods difficult to use.

The key drawback to this method is that sending blood away to a lab takes significantly longer. On the bright side though there is no risk of an allergic reaction during a blood test because the allergens are only exposed once the blood is drawn.

For more details on any of these methods please visit HealthLine.

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HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air and a HEPA filter is specifically designed to pull way more particles out of the air than traditional air filters on the market. 

The most important thing to know about HEPA filters is that they filter out 99.97% of particles that have a size greater than or equal to 0.3 µm. They do this by building a mat of randomly arranged fibers, typically made of fiberglass and between 0.5 and 2.0 micrometers in diameter.

Unlike a traditional air filter, HEPA filters don't work like a sieve where the holes simple stop things bigger than the hole from going through. Instead these filters are designed to cause particles to stick to the fibers as they pass by, thus removing them from the airflow.

Note that while HEPA filters are designed to pull out fine particles, they do nothing to remove odors or scents out of the air like a carbon filter. Given this don't expect a HEPA air filter to clean up the scent in your bathroom or near your cat's litter box.

One of the most important things to note about HEPA filters is the following quote.

"Products that claim to be "HEPA-type", "HEPA-like", "HEPA-style" or "99% HEPA" do not satisfy these requirements and may not have been tested in independent laboratories. Some of these sub-par quality filters may come reasonably close to HEPA filtration, while others will fall significantly short, making them truly inferior." - Air Purifier Power.com

Wikipedia has far more detail on HEPA filters if you desire to read it. 

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There are three common places you'll find HEPA filters used in relation to cat allergies. Each place can impact air quality in the house and if you have any severe allergies you should consider all three.

Air Purifiers

Air purifiers are one of the most common places you'll find a HEPA filter in use. Each purifier usually has a filter that can be replaced on a recurring basis after it is completely filled with particles.

You'll want to consider that an air purifier is usually only good for a room of about 200-300 square feet. This means if you've got multiple rooms in your home then you'll need multiple air purifiers running all the time to get the job done.

Heating & Cooling Filters

If you have gas forced air or a traditional air conditioner of any kind then you've typically got a single centralized air flow system in your home. These can actually be very problematic for cat allergies because dander gets into the air and the system blows it all over the house.

Inserting a HEPA filter into the air flow can make a significant impact on decreasing the amount of cat dander floating around your home. You generally need a filter to keep your equipment running smoothly anyway, inserting a HEPA rated filter can be incredibly helpful.

Vacuums

Every time you run the vacuum in your house you are undoubtedly sucking up loads of cat dander along with the fur. While you certainly don't need a HEPA filter to suck up cat hair, you might as well capitalize on the fact that air is flowing through the vacuum and trap the cat dander at the same time.

HEPA filters can be found in both traditional vacuums of all shapes and sizes and they can be found in robot vacuums. If you're running a robot vacuum every single day you'll notice a huge decrease in your symptoms by using a model equipped with a HEPA filter.

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CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate. It is basically a numeric value assigned to an air purifier based on tests performed for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.  

CADR is a way for consumers to see an apples to apples comparison of how effective an air purifier is at reducing these three key items in the air:

1. Tobacco smoke
2. Pollen
3. Dust

You won't find CADR numbers for any other items at the time of writing this (12/30/2018). The easiest way to interpret these numbers is that higher is better. But there are ranges available for them as well:

1. Tobacco smoke ranges from 10-450 CADR
2. Pollen ranges from 10-400 CADR
3. Dust ranges from 25-450 CADR

It is worth noting that if you're looking at large scale household based purifiers that you won't find a CADR score for them because it is only applicable to portable filters.

Unfortunately there is no rating for cat dander or pet dander, but the closest association is dust since household dust is largely made up of human dander.

For more information you can reference this great article from AirPurifierGuide.com.

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The sad fact is there is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic cat. While some breeds may be less likely to cause allergic reactions than others, there are no breeds that will completely avoid all potential allergens.

Many articles like this one from HomeOAnimal call out a list of "hypoallergenic" cats. Note that they do specifically say no cats are completely allergen free, but the article is misleading because of the title and the way that we humans consume information.

In short, some cats shed less hair and some produce less of the Fel D1 protein that is most commonly found in cat saliva and causes allergic reaction. But no cat is completely immune to causing allergic reactions and if you've got an allergy you shouldn't assume you're safe by adopting a cat like this.

Reference: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

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If you've got a cat allergy based on cat dander or if you've got friends at family that are allergic then an air purifier can certainly help minimize the impact of cat dander.

While no cat is hypoallergenic and no single air filter can clear your house of every bit of cat dander, purifiers certainly provide an added benefit, especially if they are kept in the rooms you spend the most time in.

If you've got a cat allergy or know someone who does then let us know how an air purifier or filter has helped them combat their reactions! Please leave a comment below.

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