In the UK We love our pets – but we don’t love the mess they leave in our homes quite so much.
So here are my top 5 vacuums for pet owners, so you and your furry friends can enjoy a clean and fresh home.
Unless your pet is a goldfish, sharing your home with an animal is a messy business. As well as fur and hair, there are muddy paw prints, food spills, and other little accidents to contend with. Your vacuum has some serious work to do, so it’s a good idea to do your research.
Myth busting
There has been a big rise in the popularity of “doodle” dog breeds in the past few years. As well as looking cute and curly, many of these poodle cross breeds shed their hair less than other dogs. However, not all doodle breeds are low shedders, and this depends on the genes passed down from the parent dogs. So if you have a curly dog, you might find still find hair everywhere.
If allergies are a concern in your family, your vacuum needs to work extra hard. It’s not just the animal hair that causes allergies. The culprit is dander, which includes dried saliva and skin cells, common to both cats and dogs.
Vacuums for pet owners – features to look for
When you’re choosing a vacuum that’s up to this tough challenge, there’s a few things you’ll want to look out for.
Pet hair
If you have a cat or a dog (or even a house rabbit) you will be familiar with those hairs that stick to your carpet, your sofa, your clothes, and your car. They form fluff balls on hard floors and you can even see them floating in the air on a sunny day. Vacuums for pet owners need to be great at lifting hair from all of these surfaces. Look for anti-wrap features that prevent tangles around your vacuum’s roller, and anti-clog brushes to keep your vacuum working efficiently.
Filter
A highly effective filter is a must in vacuums for pet owners. Look for a HEPA filter that removes the tiny dander particles which cause allergic reactions. Many vacuums have washable filters, so check how easy it is to remove.
Suction
To clean up after your pet in double-quick time, you’ll need a vacuum with a good, strong suction. There’s nothing more frustrating that spotting hair still lingering in the carpet when you’ve finished cleaning.
Bin capacity
Your pet can produce a surprising amount of fluff – so look for a vacuum with a good sized bin so you don’t need to empty it part way through a cleaning session.
Accessories and tools
The most effective vacuums for pet owners come with a range of tools to help you get into all those tricky corners. Look for upholstery brushes, and special motorised pet tools to get deep into carpet.
Here are my top 5 vacuums for pet owners.
Miele CX1 Cat and Dog
I’ve been a huge fan of Miele products for years and their vacuums for pet owners do not disappoint. This model was the favourite for Good Housekeeping too. This is a cylinder vacuum with a retractable cord and a high-performing filter. There is also an upright version which scored well in tests by the Independent.
Dyson V15 Detect Absolute
This upright cordless vacuum is lightweight to carry, but it’s a heavyweight when it comes to cleaning. As well as an impressive range of accessories, it uses “detect” technology to make it easier for you to spot dust and dirt particles you might otherwise miss. This model was a winner in the Forbes test of vacuums for pet owners.
Henry Pet
The Henry vacuum might be bit old skool compared to some of its high tech competitors, but it’s still a high performer. It comes with an Ecobrush turbo tool for shifting pet hair, and an odour-removing charcoal filter to keep your home and vacuum fresh. This model is heavy, and it’s not the quietest, but it does the job well and it deserves its place amongst the best vacuums for pet owners.
iRobot roomba J7+
You may think a robot vacuum and pets would be a bad combination, but technology has made the robot a genuine choice for pet owners. The software which powers this vacuum means it can detect “solid” pet waste and avoid it (although alas, it cannot yet clean it up before you get home). The vacuum is programmable so you can set it to avoid some areas, and spend extra time in areas which need more attention such as around your pets’ beds. This one scored well in the Independent’s testing.
Shark Stratos Anti Hair Wrap Plus Pet Pro
This cordless upright vacuum has an impressive range of accessories including a motorised pet tool to get rid or pet-related hair, dust and debris from every corner in your home. It has a flexible design so it’s easy to reach under furniture, and can transform into a handheld vacuum for stairs and upholstery.
Final thoughts
Choose the right vacuum, and sharing your home with your pets can be a pleasure, not a chore. I hope my top 5 vacuums for pet owners helps you decide.
