Is a cat at the top of your Christmas wish list? They can make the “purr-fect” gift to find under the tree, bringing warmth, personality, and companionship to your home.

But they’re not all yarn balls and cuddles. A Christmas cat may introduce lingering cat odor, bacteria, and other airborne particles that affect indoor air quality. These contaminants may cause allergies, asthma flare-ups, and change how your home smells or feels.

You can still enjoy the fun of a new cat while keeping these risks in mind. Understanding how cats affect your home’s air quality and using the right tools, like Maple Air’s Pür Plasma™ technology, helps keep it cleaner and healthier for everyone.

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters with Christmas Cats

Cats are part of the family. They nap on our laps, rub against clothes, and spend time in bedrooms and living spaces. Whatever they shed or track into the air circulates throughout the home.

Some of the most common sources of cat allergies include:

• Cat dander, which are microscopic flecks of shed skin that serve as a carrier for allergenic proteins like Fel d 1 and Fel d 4.
• Saliva and urine, which contain potent allergenic proteins (primarily Fel d 1 and Fel d 4) that are transferred to the cat’s fur and skin during grooming.
• Litter dust, especially from clay-based litters, which can become airborne and carry dried allergens from dander and urine throughout the home. Moisture around litter boxes can also lead to mold, especially if it’s in a damp or poorly ventilated area.

Bacteria and parasites are also a concern. When windows are closed during the winter, these particles linger longer and spread more easily through HVAC systems.

Common Risks from Christmas Cats

The 2025-26 holiday season is expected to see an uptick in cat adoptions. If your family is ready for the responsibility of owning a cat, it helps to understand how a new pet can affect your home’s air quality.

Allergies & Immune Responses

Cat allergies stick to surfaces and are easily breathed in, triggering allergy and respiratory symptoms, including.

• Sneezing and runny nose
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Wheezing or coughing
• Chest tightness
• Asthma symptoms

These reactions don’t always show up right away. It may take days or even weeks for families to realize what’s causing them. Even people who’ve never had cat allergies can develop symptoms over time.

Odors & Air Quality Issues

When you bring home a new cat, the first thing you may notice is the odor. Some litter boxes give off strong smells from urine, waste, and bacteria.

Even with regular cleaning, odors can still spread through the home and settle into fabrics. While odor sprays and air fresheners may seem like a quick fix, they often just cover smells instead of removing them, and some can add unwanted chemicals to the air.

Airborne Pathogens & Bacteria

Aside from odors, litter boxes can also release germs into the air. When litter is poured, scooped, or kicked up, fine dust particles can carry bacteria or parasites into the surrounding space.

One of the more serious concerns is toxoplasmosis, a parasite that may be present in some cat feces – most commonly in outdoor cats or those that hunt or eat raw meat. While healthy adults are often unaffected, it can pose greater risks for pregnant people or those with weakened immune systems.

Other cat-related germs, including bacteria commonly found in fecal matter, may also be stirred up during litter cleaning, increasing overall exposure, especially in enclosed spaces during winter.

How Maple Air Helps

Reduces Airborne Germs, Allergens, and Dander

Maple Air’s Pür Plasma™ is installed directly into your home’s duct system and works continuously to reduce viruses, bacteria, and allergens in the air and on exposed surfaces. This helps limit the buildup of particles that can be stirred up during everyday activities like litter box cleaning, vacuuming, or simply moving through the house.

Cat dander is especially stubborn, as it settles on furniture, clothing, and floors, then gets kicked back into the air by airflow or movement. Maple Air neutralizes airborne dander proteins and gradually reduces allergen buildup on surfaces, making it easier to manage cat allergies over time.

When installed recently in a Charlotte, NC, home, Maple Air reduced virus and bacteria levels by 93% in just three hours – creating a cleaner, more comfortable home almost instantly.

Eliminates Odors & VOCs

Are you tired of living with strong cat odors? Maple Air works as a whole-room cat air purifier and odor control solution. It targets:

• Cat urine odor
• Litter box smells
• VOCs released from waste and cleaning products

Instead of masking smells, Maple Air breaks down odor-causing compounds, both in the air and on surfaces. This means a fresher-smelling home without relying on strong sprays or fragrances that can release VOCs into the air.

Whole-Home Protection

When your cat has free rein, allergens and odors often spread to every corner of a home. Maple Air provides continuous coverage throughout your home, including litter box areas, living and family rooms, bedrooms, and hallways.

By covering your entire home, it helps keep the air fresh 24/7, which is especially helpful during the holidays when cleaning can easily fall behind.

Aside from odors and cat allergens, Maple Air is also effective at neutralizing cat litter mold, bacteria, ozone, viruses, VOCs, and other harmful pathogens in homes..

Practical Tips for Cat Owners

Air purification works best when paired with regular cleaning and simple daily habits. If you’re bringing home a Christmas cat, these small steps make a big difference in keeping your home’s air clean and fresh:

Clean Litter Boxes Frequently

Regular cleaning – including scooping daily and changing the litter weekly – prevents odors and bacteria from building up. Wearing gloves and a mask adds an extra layer of protection, especially if you or family members have sensitivities.

Ventilate Rooms During and After Litter Cleaning

Opening windows or using fans helps move dust and airborne particles out of the room, keeping the air fresher for everyone.

Choose Low-dust Litter

Some litters create more airborne dust than others, which can carry allergens and bacteria. Low-dust options help reduce this problem.

Wash Hands after Handling Litter

Even if you wear gloves, washing your hands is an effective way to avoid spreading germs or allergens throughout the home.

Brush Your Cat Regularly

Regular grooming helps reduce loose fur and dander, which can cut down on allergens and keep your home cleaner.

Other Cat-Related Risks to Know About

Not all cat-related risks are airborne. Some are spread through direct contact, so it’s helpful to be aware of them:

• Cat scratch fever. This can happen when a cat scratches you and introduces bacteria under the skin. Most cases are mild, but it’s still good to clean scratches promptly.
• Cat bite infections. Bites can push bacteria deep into the skin, sometimes causing painful infections. Quick cleaning and monitoring for redness or swelling help prevent problems.
• Cat saliva infections. If a cat’s saliva gets into an open cut or wound, it could introduce bacteria. Washing the area right away reduces the risk.

While Maple Air doesn’t prevent direct contact infections, it helps reduce environmental cat germs and bacteria on surrounding surfaces. This lowers background exposure and supports overall hygiene practices at home.

Enjoy Your Christmas Cat While Keeping the Air Clean

Cat adoptions often spike around the holidays, like Christmas and New Year’s, but studies show there’s a 25% higher abandonment rate during this time. Before bringing home a Christmas cat, make sure your family and home are ready for a new animal and that you’re prepared to maintain healthy indoor air, especially if anyone in your household has allergies or respiratory issues.

By staying on top of cleaning and using Maple Air’s continuous air and surface treatment, families can breathe easier – while still enjoying the joy of a Christmas cat.

Contact Maple Air to learn more about how our Pür Plasma™ technology can keep your home’s air safe, clean, and comfortable all year round.