Are Humidifiers Safe For Dogs? ** Ultimate Safety Guide **

At home, humidity can both help us thrive and prosper but it can also hurt us. In this respect, humans and dogs share similar needs.

But you might be wondering if humidifiers are safe for dogs. Or you might want to use similar appliances that run on water.

For example, an essence diffuser that creates vapors.

So, here is what you need to know about humidifiers and dogs.

First things first, are humidifiers safe for dogs? In itself, a humidifier is safe. It can also relieve breathing problems in dogs. This device changes the level of humidity in a room. The wrong amount of vapor in the air can cause health problems—for example, heat strokes and joint issues.

Continue reading to learn more about humidifiers and how to use them correctly.

You’ll learn how to spot signs that your dog needs a humidifier.

We’ll also take a look at the varying models to help you understand which one is best for your fido, safety precautions and safe uses, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and much more!

Contents show

What Is A Humidifier?

A humidifier is a handy appliance. In short, it allows you to increase the humidity of the air inside your home by using water vapor.

Many models also provide other integrated functions. This way, it is possible to breathe clean, quality air.

Clean air is essential. Especially for people or pets with respiratory problems such as asthma or allergies. Whoever gets sick frequently can benefit from this device.

It is necessary to analyze the risks we might face to understand a room humidifier fully.

Breathing air that is not humidified can lead to respiratory issues.

Other common problems shared by humans and dogs include:

Dry mucous membranes, especially nose and throat, causing sore throat and stuffy nose.

Allergic forms due to the increase in dustiness and dryness of the air. The latter is an optimal condition for the proliferation of pests, germs, and bacteria.

Dry skin, which can lead to inflammation of the skin.

Chapped lips, also difficult to hydrate.

Coughs.

Dryness of the tear film, leading to conjunctivitis.

How To Tell If Your Dog Deeds A Humidifier?

When the air is too dry, canines can get a sore throat. Frequently, it is a harmless viral infection. But more serious respiratory problems include bacterial infections and tonsillitis.

Have a look into your dog’s mouth to rule out other possible causes of pharyngitis in dogs.

A slightly higher humidity level provides significant relief from allergies. If your dog has allergies, a humidifier will make the allergenic material lying on the floor less volatile.

Typical signs of allergies in dogs are:

Coughs

Sneezing with or without nasal discharge

Itchiness

Watery eyes

Increased amounts of mucus

If your pooch snorts, you can use vapor to treat your dog’s stuffy nose. In detail, the fine mist opens the airways and helps your dog to breathe.

Also, a humidifier is recommendable for dogs with dry eye. This canine eye disorder is frequent in some dog breeds. That is, the ones predisposed to the immune-mediated disease.

For example:

English Bulldog

Shih Tzu

Lhasa Apso

West Highland White Terrier

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Although a humidifier does not heal the dry eye, it can lessen the pain associated with eye dryness.

What Type Of Humidifier Is Best For Dogs?

The best humidifier for dogs is safe and easy to clean.

While most models will keep your dog’s skin moisturized, you should know that:

Humidifier and air purifier combos are best for dogs with allergies and respiratory tract infections. Moreover, they protect your canine friend from harmful chemicals in the air.

Ultrasonic humidifiers ensure rapid absorption of the atomized water. That is, they avoid possible condensation. So, they are great for mildly dehydrated dogs.

Warm mist humidifiers might be the least recommendable products for dogs. For one thing, the heating element may pose a safety threat. Of course, the steam might help to decongest a stuffy nose. But it would be best if you made sure that the overall humidity level does not rise too much.

The majority of humidifiers are plug-and-play. But if you look at the reviews, you will find some useful info to make a more savvy purchase—for example, built-in functions, water tank capacity, and coverage areas.

Amongst the more useful features, the auto-shutdown function is essential.

Precautions To Take

High temperatures and humidity are dangerous. They put the health of pets at risk. In particular, dogs may experience shocks, hyperthermia, and heat strokes. Additionally, they can increase the risk of collapse.

Unlike humans, dogs do not sweat. Therefore, they can’t reduce body heat through sweat glands. Mostly, they lower their body temperature by panting with their mouth open.

Checking the dog’s temperature is a reasonably safe method to protect your dog. First, you can touch the paws to feel if they are dry, wet, or too hot.

Indoor humidity levels between 40 and 60% are safe for both humans and pets. During winter, humidification can help your four-legged friend feel warm. But air circulation is also critical.

Be aware of how much water your dog is drinking. Your dog might be drinking to avoid overheating, probably caused by the humidifier. Sadly, no general indication suggests how much water a dog should drink on average per day, not even based on its size.

Are Essential Oil Humidifiers Safe For Dogs?

Regarding the use of fragrances in the environment with essential oil diffusers, here is a reminder. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell. Therefore, the diffusion of essential oils in the rooms can be unbearable for them. That is, it could cause nausea or vomiting, especially in a closed room.

So that you know, dogs have around 300 million olfactory receptors. This means that diffusing 4-6 drops of essential oils into the ultrasonic diffuser for your pets is like diffusing more than 100,000 drops of essential oils for us. In comparison, the human nose has more or less 400 olfactory receptors.

Nevertheless, dogs can enjoy good smells. Aromatherapy for dogs is a real thing. But you should take some safety precautions as well. Never use more than a few drops, and monitor your dog’s reactions. Ensure that your puppy does not find a way to bite the essential oil bottle after you have used it. Above all, get some air circulating in there.

For more info on the safe use of essential oil diffusers, talk to your vet. You need to know if the oils you want to use could make your puppy sick. Most importantly, get the bottles and product packaging together when you visit or call the vet.

Are Vicks Humidifiers Safe For Dogs?

Vicks humidifiers are popular devices. For anyone who wonders if they are safe for dogs, the answer is yes.

At this point, some people might be confused.

So, let me clarify that Vicks only makes some humidifier products that are not suitable for pets in general. Their humidifiers are just fine.

Most models make a cool-mist like other similar products.

You must remember not to use their VapoPads or VapoStream products when bow-wow is around.

Are Ultrasonic Humidifiers Safe for Dogs?

While most of them are safe to use around dogs, you may discover that some dogs can’t tolerate them. In effect, higher frequencies might annoy a canine’s ears.

Specifically, dogs can hear frequencies as high as 60,000 Hz. But to us, ultrasonic humidifiers seem utterly silent.

Not every dog reacts the same to the ultrasonic whistle. A common reaction to turning on this device is barking.

If you want to avoid your dog getting upset, keep the appliance as fast as you can.

Indeed, most dogs calm down when the ultrasonic humidifier is not near them. Lastly, you can read through the product specs to learn about the noise levels and how high is the frequency that your dog can hear.

Final Thoughts

For the most part, humidifiers are safe and useful. Especially in the winter, when dogs get cold. They help to moisturize their dry skin and open their nasal passages.

What you need to remember is that too much humidity is dangerous. If you keep a suitable level of moisture, your dog will thrive and enjoy it.

Keep the windows slightly open to make the air circulate as much as possible. Stagnant air and humidity can be a deadly mix. In short, only pests and viruses can benefit from excessive humidity and stale air.

Do not hesitate to contact your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s health. Of course, most dogs show visible signs of distress when the humidity is too high. But some diseases could require a trained eye.

Are Humidifiers Safe For Dogs? Ultimate Safety Guide