Humidty and Your Pet’s Health.
Increasing or decreasing the moisture in the air is a KEY natural remedy for many dog and cat diseases.
Here are ones you should be aware of.
Coughing
Your dog coughs because his airway is irritated by something- it could be inflammation, fluid, or infection. Kennel cough usually shows up as a sudden ‘goose honking’ cough; it is very loud, and usually continuous. Heart disease will produce a cough that often starts at night, when your dog is lying down, and may be ‘wet’ with fluid. Tracheal collapse will produce a cough when the trachea, (main airway) is compressed together- it more often sounds like gagging and that you dog is trying to throw up a hairball.
Remember having your mother put a ‘steamer’ in your room when you had a cough as a child? Well this also works well for dogs. Adding humidity to the air will calm an irritated airway. Put on a humidifier or put your pet in the bathroom and turn on the shower.
Cat Flu
Signs is a cat with a runny nose, often accompanied by swollen and runny eyes. Most cats will also be sneezing. Your cat may be lethargic, and unwilling to eat or drink. The cat flu is recurring in most cats, with repeated bouts of sneezing, runny eyes, and runny nose. There are two feline viruses are responsible for most cases of cat flu, a Feline Herpes virus ( Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis ) and Feline Calicivirus. Some cats can be infected as kittens and constantly harbor the virus, making them prone to repeated infections. In most cases, the virus will run its course in 7-10 days, so supportive care is needed.
In veterinary practice, many a client was able to find relief with increasing moisture.Humidity is fabulous for easing congestion and improving breathing. Use a humidifier or put your cat in the bathroom and turn up the shower.
Fleas
Fleas are one of THE most common reasons that dog and cat owners seek out a Veterinary clinic, yet unfortunately all that the Veterinarian can offer is a variety of potentially toxic insecticides. Dog and Cat owners are becoming increasingly concerned about the high number of side effects from conventional flea medication, and many are seeking some of the safer, holistic options of natural flea control.
DEHUMIDIFY. Humidity is vital for flea survival. Flea eggs need humidity of 75% to hatch, flea larvae need 50% humidity to survive. For example in places with adequate humidity, 20% of the eggs survive. In dry areas with LOW humidity, less than 5% of the eggs survive. Using a dehumidifier in your home will go a long way in stopping the flea cycle.
Allergies.
Allergies in our dogs primarily show up as chronic itching, hair loss, recurring ear infections, recurring skin infections, thickened skin, blackened skin, excessive paw licking. Unfortunately conventional allergy treatments are limited and may harm your dog.
Humidifiers can also reduce asthma symptoms by clearing mucous out of the airways. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) recommends humidifiers for the treatment of sinusitis, because the steamed air helps relieve nasal congestion.
If your dog or cat has problems with Allergies, Coughing, Cat Flu or Fleas, you should consider a simple, safe and inexpensive home remedy of modifying humidity in your home.
Heal Your Pet At Home!
Best Wishes,
DrAndrew Jones, DVM
Hello, Can I use a Vicks vaporub humidifier for my Labrador?
Thankyou.
The menthol and other ingredients can irritate a dog’s airways. A plain cool mist humidifier is the safer option and can help soothe an irritated airway.
What kind of humidifier is good for soothing my Labradors cough?
We like a cool mist humidifier. It can help soothe an irritated airway, and a steamy bathroom for 10 to 15 minutes works well too. If the cough persists or your Lab has trouble breathing, please see your veterinarian so the cause can be checked.
Do your comments on (dog) coughing and humidity applying for a pet that has congestive heart failure??
Yes, it can, but it depends on the cause of the cough. A little added humidity may help soothe an irritated airway, but if the cough is from congestive heart failure, the priority is treating the fluid buildup in the lungs. In those cases, humidity is not a treatment for the heart condition itself. If your dog has CHF and the cough is getting worse, it’s best to have your veterinarian check them.
Can u use humidifier for dogs with chf
Yes, a humidifier can help soothe a dog’s irritated airways and may make coughing more comfortable. With CHF, we want gentle humidity, not a very damp room, since the underlying issue is fluid in the lungs. A little moisture can help comfort, but it does not treat the heart failure itself.
Can you help me. My yorkie has seborhea. I bath her every few days with peroxide shampoo but it does not go away. She also has allergies. What do you suggest. Thank you
Seborrhea is often linked to allergies. Bathing every few days with peroxide shampoo may be drying her skin. We would focus on the allergies, check for yeast or infection, and use a gentler shampoo instead.