Temperature Factors
First, we need to talk about temperature itself. Humidity, windchill, and cloud coverage can all make temperatures feel much higher or lower than than it actually is. For example, anyone who has spent time in the north knows that it doesn’t feel that bad when it’s 32˚ F. But when you throw in that windchill it makes 32˚ F feel like it’s 25˚ F, and that makes a big difference. And the same goes for humidity. If it’s 85˚ F degrees with 80% humidity, the air feels thicker and causes you to get hotter faster. For a dog, covered in a thick coat, it is worse. Their inability to sweat means their bodies cool down by panting. But when the air is heavy with humidity, their lungs fill with hot air, often deeper and at an increased rate as they try harder to cool themselves. This is even worse for short-nosed dog like pugs and bulldogs because of their shorter, narrower nasal passages.
So with that in mind, it’s best to be conscious of the temperature and humidity levels that your dog will be the most comfortable in. When it comes to humidity, the safest level for dogs is 30-70% humidity. And as far as temperature guidelines, the most comfortable indoor setting for dogs is 65-75˚ F. But pups should never stay outside for more than four hours if temperatures dip below 50˚ F or rise above 85 ˚ F. And although these guidelines are considered the safest levels in humidity and temperature for our furry friends, always consider that your dog’s personal comfort levels and sensitivity to temperatures may differ. Keep an eye on their energy levels, differences in behavior, and any changes in their breathing or panting.
The Benefits of Getting a Humidifier for Fido
But how are humidifiers specifically good for pups? There are actually a few significant ways that a humidifier can benefit your canine companion.
What is the Ideal Humidity Level For Dogs and Their Families?
Humidity is the amount of water vapor in air. The higher the relative humidity, the more water vapor in the air. But how much humidity is good? The ideal humidity for both humans and dogs is between 40-60%.
In general, the ideal relative humidity for health and comfort is somewhere between 30-50% humidity, while USDA recommends 65% for dogs. Too low humidity level can lead to problems such as increased drying out of skin and hair, heat intolerance, and respiratory issues like asthma.
Too high of humidity can lead to too much moisture and the growth of mold and bacterial growth, as well as increase allergic responses in people and animals.
Humidifiers: Are They Good for Dogs?
We recently moved from Alaska to the much drier mountains of Colorado. We absolutely love where we live, but it has definitely been an adjustment to living at 9000ft+ elevation, and the dry air that comes with it!
We definitely miss the humidity a bit and started looking into the best humidifiers for dogs and their families.
I grew up in Florida, and there is no more humid moment than stepping out of the Orlando airport in the middle of summer when we head home to visit family!
We rescued Roxy and Rico while living in Puerto Rico, so they were very used to humidity. After a few years in Alaska, we moved to the mountains of Colorado and it.is.so.dry!
Since we don’t have central AC, we started looking for options to cool off in the summer while adding moisture to the air. Roxy and Rico are both so much happier and more comfortable since we added an evaporative cooler to the living room, and so are we!
We still needed something to keep the humidity comfortable through the winter months once the heat kicks on, though. Here’s why humidifiers are so helpful, tips to pick the right humidifier, along with some of the best options for humidifiers for your family and your furry friend!