if you’re looking for the best humidifier for dogs you’ve come to the right place. Growing up with asthma attacks and seasonal allergies in the winters, I knew the struggle that lower humidity levels can cause.
When I found out my pup could be suffering the same issues, I was determined to make his life easier, so I had to look for the best humidifier for dogs.
Today, I’m presenting you with 5 of the top humidifiers for dogs on the market and a detailed buying guide to help you make the most out of your purchase.
Table of Contents
Why Do You Need A Humidifier For Dogs?
Before we get to the benefits of a humidifier, we should first discuss what a humidifier does.
In dry conditions, the lack of moisture in the atmosphere inside your home drives the air to find another source of moisture to raise its humidity level. As a result, moisture evaporates from our skin and mucous membranes that line our respiratory system to enter the dry air.
This can lead to a wide range of health issues including dry/cracked skin, dry throat, coughing, irritated eyes, cracked lips, as well as firing off or worsening the symptoms of asthma and/or allergies.
This is where air humidifiers come in, built to produce and diffuse water vapor or steam into the air to increase humidity or moisture levels.
In other words, instead of taking moisture from your skin, nose, or lungs, humidifiers provide dry air with an alternate source of moisture. This helps prevent health issues caused by dry air whether for us human or our beloved pets.
So how can a humidifier be good for dogs? Well, here are a few ways this machine can be beneficial for your barking buddy:
- Opens Air Passages – Humidifiers can help dogs breathe better, especially those suffering from allergies that may result in inflamed nasal passages. In some cases, allergies can also cause scabs and sores inside the nose leading to nosebleeds.
By releasing water vapor in the air and increasing moisture, the clogged and blocked mucus in the dog’s nasal passages will flow, allowing them to breathe more comfortably throughout the day and while sleeping.
- Soothes Skin – Dry skin caused by low humidity often manifests in dogs as restlessness as well as consistent scratching and consequent hair loss. Moisture generated from a humidifier can help soothe such dry skin and a change in its health state can often be seen.
- Eases Snoring – Several dog breeds, such as pugs and bulldogs, are more prone to snoring due to their physical makeup. Obesity and excessive tissues on the neck and throat can also cause some dogs to snore.
The mist from a humidifier can help moisturize the nasal passage of such dogs, allowing them to breathe more easily through the nose while preventing dryness of the mouth and throat. This results in less snoring.
- Allergy Relief – Like humans, dogs can also suffer from seasonal allergies. Allergens in the air can make their eyes water, noses itch, and skin crack.
By introducing more moisture into the atmosphere of your house, a humidifier device can be a helpful measure in the dog’s treatment plan through alleviating symptoms of allergies such as a runny nose, itching eyes, and sneezing.
Key Features To Consider When Buying A Humidifier For Dogs
When shopping for the best humidifier for dogs, there are a few features you should always look for so you can have the most beneficial and convenient experience.
Timer
A timer is a lifesaver for all pet owners, not just dog owners. It allows you to control how long the humidifier stays on, so whenever you’re not home or busy, your mind will be at peace knowing that your pup is getting proper humidity levels.
A humidifier equipped with a timer also comes in handy when you’re all comfy in bed and suddenly remember that you need to turn off or refill the device.
Automatic Shut-Off
This is a crucial safety feature that prevents overheating of the machine, which protects curious dogs from getting accidentally burned. Humidifiers with automatic shut-off will stop working when unable to detect water.
Noise Level
It’s common knowledge that dogs have very sensitive hearing, so you need to keep that in mind when deciding the type of humidifier you should buy.
Additionally, if you’re a light sleeper, you’ll definitely want a humidifier with a low noise output. Ultrasonic humidifiers are very quiet, so they’re a great choice to use around dogs.
Runtime
The working duration of a humidifier mainly depends on the capacity of its tank. The bigger the tank, the longer the runtime, and the fewer refills you need to do.
Mist Adjustment
If you want to control the amount of mist your humidifier releases into the air, make sure your unit is equipped with a mist adjustment button or knob. This also lets you determine how fast or slow you want to increase the humidity level of a certain room.
Safety Tips When Using A Humidifier For Dogs
- Maintain your humidifier regularly to keep it working efficiently and avoid turning it into a health hazard
- Clean the humidifier every few days to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. Simply take the humidifier apart and wash it to keep it fresh. You don’t want humidity droplets that carry microbes and allergens to fly through the room.
- Generally speaking, adult dogs do well at a humidity level of 30 to 70 percent, whereas puppies prefer a slightly higher average humidity level around 65 percent.
However, since every dog is different, be sure to consult your vet before bringing a humidifier into your home. Too much humidity in a room can have opposite effects than what you intended.
- Place the humidifier in a safe spot that your dogs can’t reach easily.
5 Best Humidifiers For Dogs
1. Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
Kicking off our list with a top-rated option, the Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier comes with a smart design, an easy-to-use system, and a convenient operation.
This unit is one of the quietest models available on the market at a noise output of less than 30dB, promising all the benefits of cool mist without disturbing you or your barking friend throughout the day or at night. It’s even equipped with a soft blue light to help you relax as you go to sleep, and it’s optional so you can turn it off if you don’t feel like it.
The Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Humidifier is perfect for small to medium-sized rooms (up to 250 sq. ft²) thanks to its compact design. The included 0.4-gallon (1.5 liters) tank runs for a maximum of 16 hours at the lowest mist setting, with a mist output of 150 milliliters per hour.
The Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Humidifier features a 360-degree nozzle that allows you to easily direct the flow of the cool mist. It’s also BPA-free, ETL certified, and offers a 5-year warranty to ensure a risk-free purchase.
Pros
- Compact size
- Adjustable mist flow direction
- BPA-free and ETL certified
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- The LED power light can be too bright
2. Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
Sporting thousands of positive reviews, this Ultrasonic Humidifier from Crane is an excellent option for dog owners looking to ease their canine friends’ asthma and allergy attacks.
The filterless design of this unit will save you the usual hassle of replacing filters like other humidifiers, as well as cut down the expenses of buying new filters. It also offers multiple output settings and an adjustable 360-degree mist nozzle making it easy to adjust the mist in any direction.
This humidifier features a 1-gallon tank (3.78liters) capacity, lasting up to 24 hours straight in rooms up to 500 sq. ft². The operation is whisper quiet with a noise level no more than 30dB.
The Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is made with clean control anti-microbial material that reduces mold and bacteria growth by up to 99.96%. Moreover, the bottom fill tank is detachable to facilitate thorough cleaning.
The water level sensor and cap are also removable for better cleaning of the entire base. The unit includes an automatic shut-off safety as well to prevent overheating when the water runs out.
Pros
- Generous capacity
- Minimal bacterial growth
- No filters needed
- Allows for thorough cleaning
Cons
- Pricey
3. LEVOIT Classic 200 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
Next up is a very popular humidifier, the LEVOIT Classic 200 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier doesn’t just produce cool mist, but it utilizes Levoit Advanced Ultrasonic Technology to atomize water and turn it into a super fine mist (<5μm). This allows the mist to efficiently spread through the independent air duct, humidifying the room while keeping your furniture dry.
Being ultrasonic, the LEVOIT Classic 200 operates near silently to avoid disturbing you at night. It features a DC hydraulic fan and a noise silencer to run at no more than 25dB.
Additionally, this unit features a dual 360° nozzle and 3 mist speed settings to help you create a comfortable environment that suits your unique preferences. The one-touch button control makes the adjustment even easier.
The LEVOIT Classic 200 Ultrasonic Humidifier comes with a 1.06 gallon (4 liters) capacity, allowing up to 40 hours of continuous runtime at the low setting and 10 hours at the high setting. It’s also BPA free, ETL listed, CA65 tested, and comes with an automatic shut-off that triggers when the tank runs out of water or when you lift the tank.
One last cool feature of this humidifier is the aroma box that lets you add your favorite essential oil and infuse the atmosphere with its fragrance.
Pros
- Large capacity
- Creates a very fine mist
- Offers great coverage
- Has an aroma tray
Cons
- Refilling can be a hassle
4. Homasy Cool Mist Humidifier
The Homasy Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is another efficient option for all dog owners looking to provide their pets with a more comfortable home without breaking the bank.
This affordable yet reliable machine comes with an 0.42-gallon (1.6 liters) tank that allows for continuous production of cool mist in rooms up to 200 sq. ft² for up to 24 hours on the low setting. The nozzle of this unit doesn’t rotate but rather points upwards to deliver decent coverage across small and medium-sized areas.
If you’re worried about your pup’s hearing, the Homasy Ultrasonic Humidifier has got your back. It operates at a low noise level of no more than 22dB (that’s quieter than a running laptop) to ensure proper humidification without disturbing you or your dog. This makes it a nice option for bedrooms as well.
The Homasy Ultrasonic Humidifier features a handy dial knob so you can adjust the mist output more accurately than a button panel. It’s also equipped with an automatic shut-off feature that activates when the water level is low or when the tank is removed.
Pros
- 22dB noise level
- Easy to clean and refill
- Dial knob for mist control
- Affordable
Cons
- The nozzle doesn’t rotate
5. AirExpect Cool Mist Humidifier
Last but not least, the AirExpect Cool Mist Humidifier offers a sizable 0.92-gallon (3.5 liters) capacity that lasts up to 24 hours of continuous operation. It operates at a noise level of 28dB so it won’t be too loud for you or your dog.
You get to choose between 3 mist outputs to suit your humidity requirements. There’s also an advanced Microporous Carbon Filter Core that removes dust and debris from the water so you don’t have to filter the water beforehand.
This unit has a timer (2H/4H/6H/8H) to automatically turn off according to your needs. The indicator lights also shut off to allow for undisturbed sleep. Once the tank runs out of water or when you lift the water tank, the device will stop working to keep you and your dog safe while preventing any damage.
Pros
- Equipped with a Carbon filter
- Doesn’t leak
- Has a timer
Cons
- Not easy to clean
Wrap Up
Choosing the best humidifier for dogs can be a bit tricky, this is why I included only the top-performing humidifiers on the market to make sure you end up with a great purchase no matter what.
That being said, I recommend the LEVOIT Classic 200 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier as today’s winner.
This unit has just about everything you’d need in a humidifier for dogs. It’s quiet, sturdy, and features a huge tank capacity. It also offers an automatic shut off function, 3 mist speed settings, and an aroma box for essential oils. All of which guarantee reliable humidification and convenient use.
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