A person using Henry PetCare on the floor with a dog and baby in the background

What is a Good Vacuum Cleaner for Pet Hair?

Leslie Murray 5 min read

A good vacuum cleaner for pet hair needs strong suction power (minimum 100 in water lift), specialized brush tools, high-quality filtration, and generous capacity. Henry PetCare delivers all four (and more!) with its high-efficiency motor, advanced charcoal filtration, and dedicated attachments. 

Pets are a delight…until shedding season hits, and you’re left with pet hair and dander across your carpet, furniture, and clothes. Add a family member with a sensitive nose or worse, allergies, into the mix, and it becomes even less delightful.

Lucky for you (and for your textiles), pet vacuums exist. Unluckily, they’re not always enough

So, aside from asking “What is a good vacuum cleaner for pet hair?”, ask, “Am I using it right?” In this article, we share insider tips and tricks to boost pet hair cleaning performance. 

Do Pet Hair Vacuums Really Work?

Yes, absolutely! Good pet hair vacuum cleaners, like Henry PetCare, are specifically engineered to tackle pet hair, dander, and allergens. 

However, vacuums for pet hair are not created equal. When shopping, look for features like:

  • Powerful suction. Choose a minimum of 100 inches of water lift (like the ones in the Henry vacuum range).
  • Specialized attachments for removing pet hair from different surfaces. Look for:
    • Turbo brush rolls for picking up stubborn pet hair (best if they’re tangle-resistant like AiroBrush)
    • Dusting brush for stairs, upholstery, pet beds, car seats, and other textile surfaces
    • Combination tool for switching easily between hard floors and carpets
    • Crevice tool for corners, edges, and tight spots
  • Multi-layer filtration. Henry PetCare 160 includes a charcoal-activated MicroFresh filter, which helps trap allergens and reduce odours caused by pet dander.
  • Quiet operation. Pets can be sensitive to loud noises, so a quieter vacuum (below 60 dB) makes cleaning less stressful for them.

Fun fact: Most Henry vacuums operate at 47 dB, which is about as cozy as a library.

  • Large capacity + sealed design. You’ll want these features to reduce bag changes and better contain pet hair, dander, and dust. 

Learn more: The Best Vacuum for Pet Hair

What is the Difference Between a Pet Vacuum And a Regular Vacuum?

Pet-specific vacuum cleaners are designed to tackle pet hair more effectively, typically through specialized tools rather than stronger motors. In many cases, the main difference is the attachments

The classic Henry vacuum and Henry PetCare both have the same motor, suction power, and capacity. However, the Henry PetCare includes the AiroBrush, a narrow tool designed for efficiently removing hair from surfaces.

PetCare vacuum used to clean different surfaces including: carpet, bare floors, underside of a couch, and a pet bed

Why Vacuuming Isn’t Always Enough when Cleaning Pet Hair

When tackling pet hair, many pet owners find that vacuuming once is rarely enough. That’s because pet hair is tenacious and stubborn. They’re lightweight, static-prone, and are often textured in such a way that makes them cling to surfaces, particularly textiles. 

What Causes Pet Hair to Stick to Clothes?

Pet hair clings to clothes due to static electricity. When pets rub against surfaces like carpets or furniture, their hair becomes positively charged. Since textiles generally carry a negative charge, the pet hair and clothing attract each other upon contact.

And that’s why you often get more embedded pet hair on carpets than on hardwood floors. 

Tip: Pre-treat furniture with rubber brushes or anti-static sprays/dryer sheets to reduce static and help hair lift off during vacuuming or lint rolling. Using an air humidifier to maintain humidity above 55% can also prevent static buildup. 

Can Pet Dander Be in the Air?

Pet dander can stay airborne for hours due to its tiny, lightweight particles. Even after settling, it can cling to surfaces and remain in carpets and fabrics for months without thorough cleaning.

Pet dander is a key trigger for allergies, with particles ranging from 0.1 to 25 microns, often smaller than dust mites. For superior containment, a vacuum filter must be of high quality.

A Henry Allergy 160 comes with TriTex high-filtration layers that filter up to 0.3 microns and an H13-class HEPA filter.

A person using Henry vacuum with AiroBrush on pet bed

What’s the Best Way to Clean Pet Hair?

The best way to clean pet hair is to vacuum frequently and slowly, using specialized pet cleaners like Henry PetCare. However, there’s a right and wrong way to do so. 

Do’s Dont’s
  • Vacuum in two perpendicular directions to lift embedded pet hair from carpets (cross-hatching)
  • Use slow passes (about one foot per second)
  • Work in sections for thorough cleaning
  • Focus extra attention on high-traffic areas (where your pets sleep, play, and walk regularly)
  • Match tools to surfaces, i.e., turbo brush for carpets and upholstery attachments for furniture
  • Lift the tool regularly to clear wrapped hair and keep suction consistent.
  • Empty the dust bin or change bags regularly.
  • Use a damp rubber squeegee or glove first to "clump" hair on high-pile rugs.
  • Vacuum curtains and lampshades where lightweight fur can drift and stick.
  • Don’t ignore corners and under-furniture gaps.
  • Don’t let hair wrap around the brush roll; cut it off regularly to keep the bristles hitting the carpet.
  • Don’t vacuum rugs before shaking them out or beating them outside to loosen deep grit
  • Don’t ignore vacuum maintenance. Full bags and clogged filters reduce suction.
  • Don't use a vacuum without an advanced filter, or you'll just blow fine dander and "dog smell" back into the air.

How Often Should I Vacuum When I Have Pets?

Vacuum at least twice a week (or every other day). In between, use a cordless stick vacuum or handheld vacuum cleaner like Henry Quick to tackle hair on furniture, stairs, and other spots that accumulate fur fast. 

Tip: Note your pet’s shedding cycle to schedule deep cleans when hair is most likely to accumulate. Stay ahead of the buildup and keep your home cleaner with less effort. 

Key Takeaways

  • The best vacuum for pet hair has convenient features like strong suction, specialized pet cleaning tools, advanced filtration, quiet operation, large capacity, and sealed bag design. 

  • Proper technique and regular cleaning are just as important as the tool itself. When vacuuming, use slow passes and cross-hatching, focusing more on problem areas. 
  • Pet hair tends to cling to textiles because of static electricity and the texture of fibers. Pre-treat surfaces using rubber tools and anti-static to make vacuum passes more effective. 
  • Vacuum at least twice a day, more during shedding season, to prevent the buildup of pet hair and odours. 

Enjoy Effortless Pet Hair Removal

What is a good vacuum cleaner for pet hair? It’s the one that helps you tackle hair, dander, and allergens on carpets, furniture, and hard floors: Henry PetCare.

Our specially engineered pet vacuum comes with powerful suction, specialized pet tools, and advanced filtration that traps 99.97% of particles and eliminates odours. Quiet, efficient, and easy to maintain, it makes cleaning after your furry friends feel less like a chore. 

Get yours today!

Back to blog