Humidifiers Help Relieve Feline Asthma
You’re probably aware that room humidifiers help soothe respiratory ailments. You might enjoy having a cool air humidifier in your room to keep the atmosphere comfortable while you sleep. However, you may not know that these devices can also benefit your furry friend. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, having one of these units around your home could help with your cat’s asthma.
Understanding Feline Asthma
Cats may have allergies just like humans. The ASPCA stated feline asthma is believed to stem from allergic bronchitis. Symptoms to look out for include more obvious ones such as a persistent cough, wheezing, overall weakness and lethargy and gagging up foamy mucus. There are also more subtle signs to watch for, such as squatting with hunched shoulders, an extended neck and rapid or labored breathing, blue lips and gums and open-mouth breathing.
The severity of feline asthma attacks can worsen depending on environmental factors as well as the cat’s overall health. Your furry friend’s surroundings may have a negative influence on his or her asthma. The level of allergens in the air, such as molds, pollens, cigarette smoke and the dust from his or her litter may make your cat’s asthma worse. Additionally, extreme stress can impact not only your feline’s mental well-being but also his or her asthma.
The Benefits of Using a Room Humidifier for Feline Asthma
Placing a humidifier in your home will make it more comfortable for you and your furry friend. The ASPCA pointed out that dry air promotes asthma attacks, so using a humidifier would be a great way to keep optimal moisture levels for your feline. Both the ASPCA and Pet Health and Care noted that it’s especially important to consider using a humidifier in the winter season, when the air is drier and your cat may be susceptible to more frequent and severe asthma attacks.
The preventative effect of humidifiers on illnesses comes from their ability to maintain heat in a room. Heat is better retained by moist air, leaving humidified rooms warmer than those left dry. As we all know, staying warm is essential to avoiding sickness in the winter months and for recovering from anything we may catch. Using a humidifier in combination with a space heater can go a long way to keep a room and its occupants warm and safe from the cold.
In the case of cats with asthma or allergies, sufficiently humid air has the added benefit of improving breathing. These various conditions are exacerbated by dry air. Heating systems of all kinds tend to lead to drier air, making this more of a concern in the winter months.
Exercising proper usage of a humidifier
A room humidifier can be a great resource for you and your cat if used properly. However, increasing the moisture levels in your home beyond optimal conditions can have dangerous consequences such as mold and bacterial growth. This could introduce health hazards and may very well worsen your cat’s symptoms. Be sure to wipe down any surfaces where condensation accumulates and adjust the levels to maintain the best conditions for all members of your family.
Humidifier maintenance
However, when using a humidifier, it’s important to maintain it properly. Without suitable care, a humidifier can increase health risks rather than reduce them. The Environmental Protection Agency recommended following the cleaning instructions included with your humidifier. In the absence of specific cleaning procedures, the EPA suggested using a 3 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide on all surfaces that are touched by water. The tank should then be rinsed well with several rounds of clean water to ensure that all contaminants or cleaning agents are removed. Other ways to keep your humidifier clean are changing the water and filter often, cleaning it every three days and using water with low mineral content.