How often should you vacuum when you have pets?

It’s no secret that maintaining a clean house with pets can be a challenge. Whether you share your home with a husky who sheds all over the carpet, or your pampered Persian has claimed your favorite armchair, part of the ‘pet package’ includes fur, dander, and the occasional mess.

Alongside your usual cleaning routine, the key to keeping your home clean when living with pets is regular vacuuming (and the occasional sweep with a lint roller). But how often should you be reaching for your vacuum cleaner to maintain a spotless space?

Below, we take a look at the factors that will influence how often you should vacuum with pets and share some helpful cleaning tips that even your cat will approve of.

How often should you vacuum with pets?

When you share your home with a pet, staying on top of your vacuuming routine can help control pet hair and keep your living spaces smelling fresher for longer. Vacuuming will also remove any dust or pollen that your pets bring in from outside, making your space cleaner and more hygienic in the process.

Factors that influence how often you should vacuum

There’s no one-size-fits-all rule for how often you should vacuum with pets. But certain factors will influence how regularly you find yourself reaching for your machine:

Type & Number of Pets

Unsurprisingly, the more pets you have, the more often you should be cleaning and vacuuming your home.

‘It’s also important to consider how frequently your pets shed their fur,’ explains Atit Chopra, Senior Product Development Director at Beldray. For example, some dogs – like German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers – may require more cleanup efforts than others. On the other hand, hypoallergenic pets – such as a Miniature Schnauzer or Bichon Frisé – require less vacuuming, as they do not shed hair like other pets.

Allergies

If anyone in your household suffers from pet-related allergies, you’ll want to amp up how often you vacuum to reduce how much pet hair and dander they come into contact with.

‘If the areas of your home where your pet frequents are not cleaned properly, carpets and furniture could hold onto the pet hair and trigger allergies,’ explains Chopra. ‘Dust, dirt, and pet hair can easily build up if the area is not cleaned properly, which can lead to a breeding ground for bacteria.’

Type of Flooring

Different types of flooring will have different cleaning requirements. For example, if your home is carpeted, or layered with rugs, you may find this traps more pet hair. Likewise, hardwood floors and light colored tiles will show dirt more easily.

How often should you vacuum with pets?

Even without pets, as a general rule of thumb, cleaning experts recommend you vacuum your home at least once a week. But if you want to cat or dog-proof your home more effectively, you may want to consider the following advice:

Every 1 - 2 Days

'Anyone with a big dog that sheds heavily will likely need to vacuum high-traffic areas daily in order to keep their floors clean,' explains Taylor Riley, Co-owner of Impact Cleaning Professionals. 'For dog owners who have a smaller dog or long-haired cat, every two to three days will likely be sufficient.'

Of course, it's important to consider how much this will cost you. To cut energy bills, consider purchasing a cordless vacuum with a long lasting battery or supplement vacuuming every other day with a quick once over with a lint roller.

Twice Weekly

For moderate shedders or single-pet households, vacuuming two to three times a week keeps hair and allergens under control. This frequency strikes the right balance between maintaining cleanliness in your home and keeping a realistic cleaning routine.

Once a week

If you have a pet that sheds minimally, a weekly vacuum may suffice. However, it's not a good idea to vacuum less often than this. Pets or no pets, weekly vacuuming is recommended by experts to maintain baseline cleanliness in your home.

How to choose the right vacuum

‘As the parent of a black lab (Zara) and a cleaning business owner, I take a two-pronged approach to keeping our floors clean and free of Zara’s seemingly endless shedding,’ says Taylor Riley. ‘We use a robot vacuum to do a quick clean at the end of every day, and we also use a cordless stick vacuum to clean up about once a week.’

When selecting the best vacuum for pet hair, look for models with strong suction power and HEPA filters to effectively trap allergens. Consider vacuums with pet-specific attachments like upholstery brushes and crevice tools for thorough cleaning. Cordless options can provide added convenience for quick, frequent clean-ups around the house.

The LG CordZero™ Series A949KTMS is an excellent choice. Designed with a 5-step filtration system, it first separates dirt in the bin and then filters fine dust. The dual quick-release batteries mean it can deliver up to 200 minutes of uninterrupted vacuuming (ideal for homes with big dogs) and it can even be converted into a power mop to clean unexpected messes.

Top Cleaning Tips

Groom Your Pets: Brushing your pet’s fur every few days can significantly reduce shedding (plus, you'll be their favorite person).

Use Furniture Covers: Using washable covers on furniture and upholstery can protect against pet hair and make clean up easier.

Use the Right Vacuum Attachments: For the best results, equip your machine with specialized vacuum attachments like the mini pet nozzle available with LG CordZero™ vacuums.

Empty Your Vacuum Regularly: Pet fur can fill up vacuum bins fast, so make sure to empty the bin regularly.

Maintain Your Vacuum: It's important to regularly clean vacuum filters and brushes to ensure your device stays in top condition, especially when dealing with pet hair and dander on a weekly basis.

Use a sticky roller: When you don't have the time to vacuum, a sticky roller or a lint brush is handy for sprucing up upholstery in a pinch.

To reduce the spread of pet hair throughout your home, it's a good idea to keep your pets sleeping and play areas as clean as possible. Just remember not to use any toxic cleaning products or cleaning solutions with strong odors, as this will be off putting for your pets.