I have four cats and most of my house is carpeted. I've had horrible luck with vacuum cleaners. Should I break down and get a high end vacuum cleaner? (No, vacuum cleaner salesmen, Please.)
I personally don't have a cool vacuum because I simply cannot afford one, but I do have a husky (a notoriously hairy breed) and talk to other husky people, and they SWEAR by Dyson. From what I have heard, though, is that it is not that worth it to get the model specifically for pets, that one of the regular models should suffice. They have some cheaper models available at Target now, so check them out there.
Don't buy a bottom of the line model, but you shouldn't have to spend $400. I have had several cheap models in the past, so that last one I bought I made sure it had the largest tubes available. It cost me about 120 with tax and has worked great for over a year. My cat sheds like crazy, I fill up the bagless chamber about once every 2 vacuums.
I have a dog who sheds all the time and my vacuum does not pick up all the hair. Dyson makes a vacuum specifically for pet owners and I hear that it really works , however I cannot convince my husband to pay $400 for it as of yet. I say go ahead and buy the vacuum.
I would go to a vaccuum cleaner shop and tell them about your carpet cats. They will most likely reccommend a cleaner that will specialise in removing pet hair. Aside from good suction, It needs to be easy to clean. Some of the bagless vacs are good, BUT you still need to clean the filter (make sure you do this every time you vac for a trouble free machine - most vacs die coz they are full of dust which gets into the mechanics). I am not a vaccuum cleaner saleswoman - but someone much like you who has killed their fair share of vacs!! The one I have at the moment is a cheap one, but I dont have cats in the house. I know how hard it can be to pick up cat hair!!
A good friend of mine just did a fair bit of research on this. From what he found out, the Dyson's are WAY overpriced and no better than any other good quality vacuum. Never get a canister vacuum, the hair will get caught and affect the performance of the vacuum. As well, the vacuums where you pull the little R2-D2 unit behind you never have enough power. Get an upright, bag vacuum. Basically, do some looking around but the biggest thing is, don't just buy a name brand. Ask around.
