If you own a pet, then you know all about the nuisance that is pet hair.
It gets into EVERYTHING!
Whether you have carpet, laminate or a mix of both, you probably find pet hair on the floor, on your furniture –and even worse, in your food or stuck to your clothes too!
Pet hair can make lighter carpets look dirty and darker carpets look worn depending on what color of fur your faithful companion has.
If you have hard floors, you are no stranger to dust bunnies that seemingly grow as they skip across the living room landscape like fuzzy tumbleweeds too.
Regardless, it’s one of the less cute aspects of owning an animal we could all go without.
A lot of vacuums tout their ability to destroy this dilemma, but we know better.
And in this age of technology, no need for cords either!
Now you can figure out with us which vacuums are best to suck it all up and keep going strong for years. Without the cord.
But first, some science.
Animals Shed, It’s a Fact.
Yeah, that’s right. Animals shed, and it’s definitely a fact. However, you don’t have to put up with it.
Although most pet owners believe that the cause is the seasons themselves, there is a lot more to it than just Winter or Summer looming.
In all actuality, it’s about a lot of other bodily changes.
Who knew?!
Hormonal Shifts
While the seasons changing has some thing to do with it, it’s really the decrease and increase of exposure to light in addition to hormonal changes that make for pet hair falling out all over your house.
A Summer coat will move out of the way so a thicker fur can make its way onto the scene and vice versa.
You might be even more surprised to learn that the Spring is when your animals will experience the heaviest shedding.
Obvious only because that’s when cats and dogs are losing their Winterwear and getting ready for a cooler Summer coat to come in.
But it’s still not that simple.
It Depends on the Breed too!
Different breeds of dogs and cats will shed less than others because of their heritage, so while you are staring at one dog with a rotten look of disdain, sweeping up after them every day, your other pooch might not have much to shed at all.
The same goes for cats.
It’s also fairly common sense, but longer hair dogs and cats will also shed more while shorter haired pets are going to lose less hair.
Or do they?
Maybe it’s just less noticeable because of their hair length. Regardless, you will still see your animal shed.
Or will you?
That’s right, there are some breeds of cats and dogs still that won’t shed at all because of their pedigree or the type of breed that they are.
You’re a lucky pet owner if so (or maybe you just did extra homework before becoming the proud owner of that new kitty).
Then there are other breeds that will be worse.
Other breeds of animals that will shed twice as much to make up for it.
Certain breeds of animals have what are known as double coats. Cats with these include Maine Coons, Manx and Scottish Fold while there are quite a few more dogs with this type of fur: Shetland Sheepdogs, Siberian Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Shiba Inus and Pomeranians to name a few.
Double coat pets always have two separate layers of fur and will shed twice as much and twice as many times as a single-coated animal, so you will absolutely notice this with some breeds over others.
When is Shedding Not-so-Normal?
There are times when you will think shedding is starting to look less than normal.
Often it will just be our imaginations and love of our furry friends acting up on us but do watch out for these signs of when shedding can be a caution that something more serious is going on.
- Sores on the skin
- Face Rubbing
- Excessive Scratching
- Thinner fur
- Bald spots
- Dry pet hair
- Dull pet hair
- Stress
- Skin irritation
If you notice anything like this, definitely take your fur baby to a vet and have it checked out.
You might save your pet’s life or at least save them some extreme discomfort depending on if it’s something simple to manage like allergies, flea infestation, another parasite or something a lot more serious like a skin infection or tumor.
Preventing the Shed, Is it Possible?
Although there is zero way to prevent your animals from shedding permanently, you can make it less hard on your home and family members by give your cat or dog a good brushing every day.
They will enjoy it and so will you as it is a therapeutic part of your daily pet maintenance and like getting a good scratch and pet for them.
Make sure that you get a nice brush that has the right size teeth for your pet and nothing metal that could damage their skin.
If you do get a metal brush, make sure the ends of the teeth have rounded tips or are coated in rubber or plastic.
Clean out the brush as you go to trap as much hair as possible with every stroke, working against the direction of hair growth rather than with it.
You might even make this the time you give them a treat after they sit still and behave so well for you so they look more and more forward to this daily ritual.
Then you might not need to whip out one of our Top 5 best Cordless Vacuums we found online as frequently.
Check them out below!
The Top 5 Best Cordless Vacuums for Pet Hair
Top Cordless Upright Vacuum: Deik Upright Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Amazon Says…
4.3 out of 5 Stars with 228 Customer Reviews
Maneuverability
Although the Deik Upright Cordless Vacuum Cleaner has a large capacity tank, it has a slim design, which allows it to move about effortlessly.
In addition, the smaller head can get into tighter areas and can move from carpet to hard floors with little issue.
Almost as thin as a stick vac and weighing only 5.5 lbs., it still stands upright without an anchor too!
Maintenance
Users have reported that the HEPA filter needs to be cleaned a lot more often than was advertised by pulling and twisting the inner portion of the filtration system. Other than that, the vacuum is bagless, so no need to get messy every time you need to empty it out.
The 0.9L canister detaches easily as well, so when it does need to be emptied, you can do so quickly –emptying into a wastebasket.
In addition, the roller brush on the head of the vacuum can snap out for cleaning off any string or hair, snapping back in place just as fast for the next run over your carpets.
Charging Capabilities
The Deik Upright Cordless comes with a wall mount for storage and charging out of the way and can run for approximately 25 minutes on full power and for almost an hour straight on its second half-power setting without requiring a charge.
The trusty battery indicator lets you know when the battery is getting low too.
However, although the vacuum description states the lithium-ion batteries are interchangeable, this is not the case, so you must ensure proper charging procedures so that it does not go dead for good.
Just plug it into the AC adapter and let it charge after you’re done using it for about 3 hours.
Performance Vs. Pet Hair
With lights at the front to highlight the floor and draw attention to anything you’re trying to suck up, this cordless upright vacuum stands up pretty well to pet hair.
If you keep the filter system fairly clean, you can draw hair out from under items on hard floors with its suction.
Pet dander gets trapped in the HEPA filter, so no more allergens whirling around in the air because you vacuumed either.
However, this vacuum does not look to come with attachments to clean upholstery or curtains, so it limits its duties to floors.
Pros and Cons?
The Pros
- Versatile switching between hard and carpeted flooring or low/high pile carpets.
- Holds enough charge to do a large area on one charge.
- Stands upright on its own.
The Cons
- Suction wanes if filter is not cleaned after each use.
- Does not use replaceable batteries.
- No attachments for upholstery or curtains.
- Only charges with cording.
- Only two settings: 50% and 100% power.
Check out the reviews and how to order the Deik Upright Cordless Vacuum Cleaner online here.
Best Stick Vacuum for Pet Hair: Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Amazon Says…
4.3 out of 5 Stars with 3592 Customer Reviews
Maneuverability
Being such a lightweight force of power at 5.74 lbs., the Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner really is a handy tool.
It maneuvers well around the house with additional attachments in addition to a smaller canister at the end.
The cleaning head has two roller options for excellent cleaning on any surface, and it moves swiftly through rooms thanks to its size, which is slim right to the brush.
It comes with six attachments as follows: dusting brush, extendable combo head, animal hair cleaner, hard floor brush, carpet cleaning brush and crevice cleaner.
It also detaches from the main pipe and becomes a handheld. What a bonus!
Maintenance
Dyson’s V8 Absolute doesn’t require a whole lot of maintenance.
The filter should be cleaned every day, which will help it maintain its powerful suction while all the attachments should also be cleaned thoroughly to ensure to issues with hair and string tangling around brushes or other items getting jammed in attachments.
Dyson itself recommends that the filter is handwashed for prevention of allergy issues, and the 0.54 L dustbin easily empties and clicks back on with little effort.
Charging Capabilities
This mighty little cordless stick vacuum can run for a max of 40 minutes without needing to be charged.
It lasts longest in its regular mode while MAX mode works for much less time (about 25% of the regular time) but really amps its suction power.
Initial charge time of the lithium cell pack should be 4 hours while recharging on the included docking station will take about 3.5 hours.
Any cording needed for charging the vacuum can be run into the docking station for keeping cords out of the way.
Performance Vs. Pet Hair
Different tools work for different jobs, and there is a tool for every job with the Dyson V8 Absolute.
Some of the attachments for this cordless vacuum work better for pet hair than others with one brush roller operating best on hard floors because of its fluffy exterior and another being better for plush carpets due to its longer bristles.
With the addition of motorized tools for cleaning upholstery and for getting into crevices as well as a second, more powerful level of suction, you can lift dander, hair and other debris quickly and with the efficiency, other cordless vacuums lack.
Just beware the greatly reduced runtime when using its MAX mode.
Pros and Cons?
The Pros
- Docking station and extra storage for attachments.
- Number of included attachments.
- Easy to clean dustbin.
- Lifts pet hair like a dream.
The Cons
- Costs more.
- MAX mode runtime only 10 min.
- Motorized tools consume more battery power and reduce runtime.
- Smaller dustbin at 0.54 L.
- Must change roller brush to clean hard floors.
Check out all the details and reviews of the Dyson V8 Absolutely online.
Top Handheld Cordless Vacuum: 18V Shark Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Amazon Says…
4.4 out of 5 Stars with 133 Customer Reviews
Maneuverability
Everyone loves the classic dustbuster style design of the 18V Shark Cordless Handheld Vacuum.
This light handheld vacuum can get into any space with its small attachments, and everyone could use a cordless vacuum like this for in the car, on upholstery or in small areas like closets, shelves or elsewhere that conventional vacuums won’t go.
This vacuum is light enough at 1 lb. to carry anywhere in your house and can be used up high too since it can be hoisted above anyone’s head with ease.
Maintenance
The Shark Cordless Handheld’s dustbin has a 0.3 L dustbin can be emptied into the garbage with great ease.
The filter must be cleaned very frequently though due to its compact size.
This means frequent stops for large jobs, but since this is a handheld, it would be more common to use on small jobs.
The attachments will also get tangled with hair when this is used a ton without maintaining it well.
Most important, make sure to clean the filter with each use to keep the unit functioning safely and at optimum suction.
Charging Capabilities
The charging station will mount on a wall and holds its attachments.
The unit can hold a charge for up to 30 min runtime with charging time of approximately 4 hours between uses.
The rotating brush head will shorten its runtime as it is motorized.
However, this will help with a lot of odd jobs, so if you make sure you keep on top of charging, this handheld vacuum is an amazing tool in keeping things in top shape in the smallest parts of your space.
Performance Vs. Pet Hair
The reviews on the 18V Shark Handheld Cordless Vacuum are fantastic when it comes to pet hair removal.
Most of these come from using the motorized attachment with the rotating brushes that can be used to lift cat and dog hair off vehicle upholstery and living room furniture.
Its light weight also makes it amazing for use along baseboards and on low shelving where pet hair can end up collecting and hiding from vacuums that use traditional cleaning heads.
The suction is perfect with the 18V motor too, so with proper maintenance, you can be sure it will hold up to the challenge.
Pros and Cons?
The Pros
- Extremely lightweight.
- Docking station.
- Maneuvers into smallest spaces.
- Perfect for upholstery and vehicles.
The Cons
- Dustbin must be emptied often due to size.
- Can only be used over small areas.
- 30 min. runtime.
Check out the full details and comments left about the 18V Shark Handheld Vacuum Cleaner online now.
Best 2-in-1 Cordless Vacuum: Bissell Lift-off Floors and More Pet -Cordless
Amazon Says…
3.6 out of 5 Stars with 713 Customer Reviews
Maneuverability
The Bissell Lift-Off Floors and More Pet -Cordless vacuum is a mighty little convertible vacuum with its upright main frame.
This unit also folds up for easy storage and reaching under taller objects like tables while the canister lifts off as a handheld for use in small spaces where the brush head can’t reach.
This 5.8 lb. model is also great at responding to different textures of flooring with a roller brush that responds well to swaps in hard floors and carpet. The head also swivels to move at an angle not typical of other vacuums.
Maintenance
Standard filters mean easy cleaning while the larger capacity of the dustbin at 0.78 L that doesn’t need to be dumped nearly as often.
The roller brush requires removal of screws for clearing off lint, string and hair, which makes it secure but also a bit difficult to remove and replace as it does have a trigger to turn it on and off.
The lint strip across the front attracts pet hair, which will need to be cleared off to function as intended, but it does work well when kept clean.
Keeping the nozzle on the lift-off handheld clean will take some finesse but makes for consistent suction.
Charging Capabilities
This vacuum runs on nickel batteries and charges for 4 hours, operating for approximately 30 minutes using the regular vacuum and motorized brush functions.
Once folded up, charge it in its upright folded position for the full 4 hours to make sure you get the most runtime possible.
Saving power for additional runtime can be done without the use of the motorized brush head.
Performance Vs. Pet Hair
Pet hair is no match for the Bissell Lift-Off Floors and More Pet -Cordless with its motorized roller brush on hard floors as well as the lint strip that uses static and suction to attract pet hair to its front. Lift off the handheld to use the crevice attachment for reaching into small spaces, cleaning vehicles and upholstery.
The roller brush, lint strip and filter will need to be cleaned extra well to ensure the highest level of suction available.
Pros and Cons?
The Pros
- Convertible to a lift-off handheld.
- Folding design for maneuverability and storage.
- Toggle switch for the motorized roller brush to avoid wasting battery power.
The Cons
- Difficult to clean the roller brush.
- Lint strip must be regularly cleaned to function properly.
- No wall mount.
- No additional special filtration for allergen reduction.
Check out this cordless vacuum’s specs for yourself online here to ensure you know all there is about this convertible model.
Top Robotic Vacuum: iRobot Roomba 690 Robot Vacuum with Wifi Connectivity
Amazon Says…
4.1 out of 5 Stars with 2818 Customer Reviews
Maneuverability
Several brush sizes and speeds make for excellent multi-surface cleaning in the iRobot Roomba 690 Robot Vacuum with Wifi Connectivity.
Rounded edges allow it to get into corners and curved areas square cleaning heads can’t while it swivels and pivots with no turning radius.
Sensors help it to move around and under objects while other sensors note area where dirt could be hiding and amplify suction or other features to get a deeper clean. It can also clear edges with special technology, which Roomba is all about.
Maintenance
The dustbin on the Roomba is quite small as is evident by its size and shape, and although it does have enhanced filtration, you will find yourself cleaning it regularly with alerts from the vacuum or its app.
This vacuum will also need regular examination of its dual brushes to make sure pebbles and other hard particles are not stuck while string and hair do not get tangled.
This will mean you can prevent any unexpected scratches or damage to your flooring.
You must name your device, and make sure its docking station is accessible and within Wifi range.
Because the Roomba uses learning to figure its way out, you will want to keep it connected to Wifi for updates, app control, to give you alerts and to also learn your home’s grid too.
Charging Capabilities
The Roomba runs on lithium ion powerpack and is intuitive enough that it should dock itself when it runs low on battery.
Battery runtime is 70-90 minutes before it docks itself to charge and can run again after 2-3 hours on either a set schedule predetermined by the app or with manual push button.
However, it will take time for the Roomba to learn your floor grid pattern before it will be able to dock itself without human intervention, so regular runtime to begin with as well as complete Wifi connectivity is going to help.
Performance Vs. Pet Hair
The iRobot Roomba works well against pet hair.
It picks up what it misses on the first brush stroke thanks to its dual brush system, but it doesn’t hold as much in its dustbin due to the size and shape of the hold.
Suction can be lost quickly as the Roomba is only going to alert users to its need for emptying once it is full, so this could result in it missing some pet hair while it also works on its own pattern and uses learning to reach all points in the home –another reason it may miss pet hair from time to time.
So while it may reduce the amount of time you spend on cleaning up, it won’t always pick everything up for you right away or as impeccably as if you were to vacuum yourself. It also does not address upholstery and pet hair on furniture.
Pros and Cons?
The Pros
- Docks itself to recharge.
- Long battery life.
- Dual brush systems.
- App interface for additional control when away.
- Wifi connectivity.
The Cons
- Requires more frequent emptying.
- Needs to learn behaviors.
- Has potential for technical malfunctions.
- Does not clean all areas every time.
See what users of the iRobot Roomba 690 have to say about it and how you can get one here.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are multiple modes of cordless vacuum that work against pet hair in lightweight forms and convenient.
Just as effective as they are against pet hair, these 5 models of cordless vacuum will work to make your life as a pet owner much easier.
So while you cannot stop your dog or cat from shedding, at the very least, you can utilize technology to ensure your home stays free of pet hair, dander and allergens as much as possible by using these machines to their fullest.
