Many of us rely on humidifiers to combat dry skin, breathe easier in the winter months, and simply enjoy a more comfortable quality of life when relaxing at home.
There are real health benefits to using a humidifier, along with the atmospheric enhancement that comes with a calming mist of clean water flowing through the environment.
But if you have pets in the home – dogs, cats, or other furry friends – could your humidifier be more hazardous than helpful? As a responsible pet owner, you should ensure your appliances are safe for everyone in the house, human or otherwise.
Let’s determine if your humidifier is safe for pets, what you can do to make your environment more pet-friendly, and find out what features to look for in your next humidifier purchase.
Humidifier Benefits for Pets
Humans and pets get many of the same benefits from having a humidifier in close proximity. Our skin becomes dry when moisture levels in the air dip too low, as is the case for the coats of dogs and cats.
Respiratory function is aided by humidity in the 30% to 50% range for humans and animals alike, and with better breathing, we operate with more energy during the day and sleep more soundly at night.
There’s also a purifying effect provided by humidifiers, reducing the levels of bacteria and viruses in the air. This can help you and your pets avoid colds and infections when the weather cools down each year.
Potential Concerns
Too much of a good thing can turn bad, and this principle applies to humidifiers as well. When moisture levels rise above 50%, bacteria can return in greater numbers and breathing may become more difficult than usual.
Animals have lungs that aren’t as large or powerful as ours, meaning that high humidity can get into hazardous territory if left unchanged. Keep a hygrometer at arm’s reach and make sure you’re in the right range for everyone’s wellbeing.
The best pet-proof humidifiers run at low temperatures, relying on an ultrasonic unit that disperses cool mist into the air via vibration. Avoid keeping steam-powered units in your home if pets are roaming free. They may knock over a boiling basin of water and ruin the day.
Cool mist is also thought to be better for the more sensitive coats and respiratory systems of your favorite pets. You can always dial up the heat if you need more warmth in winter. Check out www.everlastingcomfort.net to find a great pet-friendly humidifier.
Finally, proceed with caution when bringing essential oils into the mix if pets are present. Animals have a supercharged sense of smell and are extremely reactive to the potent blends of plant oils dispensed from your diffuser.
Before you play around with different essential oils, be sure the products are pet-safe, and keep overall use to a minimum.
Optimize Your Arrangement
Having selected a safe and stress-free humidifier for your home, you may need to make some minor setup adjustments to protect your pets from harm, especially if they tend to be curious about new objects in the house.
Try to keep your humidifier up off the ground, preferably on a secure ledge or table that can’t be accessed from below. Make the unit difficult for a furry friend to reach and they will likely not investigate much further.
Also, be sure to store your essential oils out of sight and out of mind, if you choose to use them at all. Keep an eye on humidity levels always, and pay attention to how your pets adjust to any changes. With all needs met, just sit back and enjoy the harmonious home you’ve created!