The Best Humidifiers for Cats

Medically Reviewed and Approved By: Dr. Abdul Basit Javed (DVM, RVMP)

My furry friend is at risk for asthma, and so for us the best humidifer for cats is the LEVOIT Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier.

Best Overall

9.6

LEVOIT Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier

• Amazing performance and whisper quiet
• Easy to clean and able to see inside
• Large-capacity tank and long run time
• Works for large spaces - up to 750 square feet
• Convenient timer and remote

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I needed a great unit to keep her healthy and comfortable in winter weather, in addition to dry air from indoor air conditioning in the warmer months. Cats indeed suffer from the same respiratory and skin ailments as humans in dry air!

But the best model for us may not be the best for you. Maybe your cat suffers from congestion or upper respiratory infections (URI) instead, or your room might be larger than mine.

So in this post, I have reviews of other top humidifiers in various configurations. A buying guide packed with practical information is at the end.

These are the products we review in this article:

RUNNER UP, MODERN DESIGN

Elechome Ultrasonic Humidifier SH8820

• Range: 430-755 ft²
• No Filter Required
• Max Run Time 50 Hours
• 7.7 x 11.6 x 11.3 inches

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CLASSIC LOOK

Everlasting Comfort Essential Oil Diffuser

• Range: 700 ft²
• No Filter Required
• Max Run Time 13 Hours
• 6.61 x 6.61 x 8.46 in

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BEST BUDGET

LEVOIT Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

• Range: 376 ft²
• No Filter Required
• Max Run Time 40 Hours
• 8 x 6 x 14 in

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SUPER SLEEK

GENIANI Huron Humidifier

• Range: 220 ft²
• No Filter Required
• Max Run Time 18 Hours
• 9.06 x 6.69 x 12.2 in

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ALSO GREAT

Air Innovations MH-901D Large Room Humidifier

• Range: 700 ft²
• No Filter Required
• Max Run Time 100 Hours
• 12.3 x 10.6 x 18.4 in

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Overall Best Humidifier for Cats

9.6

LEVOIT Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier

• Amazing performance and whisper quiet
• Easy to clean and able to see inside
• Large-capacity tank and long run time
• Works for large spaces - up to 750 square feet
• Convenient timer and remote

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• Capacity: 6 L/1.59 gallon

Our overall best humidifier for cats has been compared to the iPhone of humidifiers. It performs like a champ, with a great smart interface, and looks so cool.

With a remote control and timer setting, this cat-friendly humidifier makes your life easier as you’re trying to nurse your kitty back to top health! It offers both warm and cool mist settings.

You can create a schedule with a timer to ensure that you’re never leaving this unit on for longer than you intend. The tank capacity on the LEVOIT Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier can provide up to 60 hours of continuous misting if you use the low setting!

The energy output on this model is ideal if you need a cat humidifier for a large room. While you might think of a humidifier as a bedroom item, the reality is that you need one that works in a larger space if your cat spends most of their time in the living room.

This humidifier gets points for being easy to clean with help from its very wide opening. I also like that you can see inside the humidifier to make sure it looks clean!

Rating Breakdown:

• Performance 10/10
• Noise 9/10
• Run Time 10/10
• Style 10/10
• Price 9/10
• Overall Rating 9.6

What We Liked:

• I love that it’s easy to clean. Being able to see inside the unit also gives you confidence that your cat is breathing in a clean mist. Nothing is worse than a “mystery tank.”
• The large-capacity tank and long run time alleviate the problem of feeling like you’re constantly refilling your humidifier.
• The timer and remote are great! You can even turn off the unit without walking into the room to disturb a sleeping cat.
• Works for spaces up to 753 square feet!

What We Didn’t Like:

• Price

Best Modern Design Humidifier for Cats

9.2

Elechome Ultrasonic Humidifier SH8820

• Modern aesthetic + easy to fill from the top
• Designed for larger spaces up to 755 square feet in size
• "Whisper Sleep" mode perfect for light sleepers

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• Capacity: 5.5 L

First, I want to talk about how this cool-and-warm humidifier is a dream to refill. You fill up the water directly from the top without disassembling anything.

The top-fill style is a dream if you hate spilling things! Additionally, the large-capacity water tank holds 5.5 liters to help you avoid the need to constantly replenish the water supply.

Designed for larger spaces, the Elechome Ultrasonic Humidifier SH8820 can be used in spaces up to 755 square feet in size! You’ll love this if you have a great room where your cat tends to hang out.

Put this near the top of your list if you have a light sleeper on your hands. This unit has a “whisper sleep” mode that allows your cat to enjoy the perks of advanced ultrasonic mist technology with essentially no sound.

The screen also shuts off when you select sleep mode! There’s also a remote that allows you to change settings without disrupting your cat.

Rating Breakdown:

• Performance 9/10
• Noise 10/10
• Run Time 9/10
• Style 10/10
• Price 8/10
• Overall Rating 9.2

What We Liked:

• The easy filling on this humidifier lets you pour water right into the top without struggling and spillage.
• It’s “whisper quiet” to ensure that nobody in your house is disturbed.
• Capable of helping to maintain optimal relative humidity in spaces up to 755 square feet in size, this unit is ideal if you have a larger home with large, open rooms.
• The very simple design of this humidifier is never an eyesore.
• Easy to clean.

What We Didn’t Like:

• This is a relatively expensive unit.
• Some reviewers have had issues with the steam nozzle being finicky.

Best Wood Grain Cat Humidifier

9

Everlasting Comfort Essential Oil Diffuser

• Nice looking essential oil diffuser, but mists great
• Not as bulky as the other options
• Multiple mist output settings, 13 hours max

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• Capacity: 400 ml

I really like this one if you’re searching for a long-term humidifier that’s going to look nice in your home. I’d almost put this in my house even if it didn’t do anything for my cat. A tabletop design, this humidifier is not as bulky as the other options.

While this is marketed as a diffuser for essential oils, you can actually just take advantage of the steam output without adding any “flavor.” Honestly, this design is cool enough to just use as your own personal tabletop wellness spa when your cat doesn’t need to use it.

While this looks like wood, the Everlasting Comfort Essential Oil Diffuser is actually a durable plastic that will probably survive being knocked over by a cat just fine.

While the 400-milliliter water tank may seem petite compared to the other options on my list, you’re still getting 13 hours of misting from this unit. You can also select options for one hour, three hours, six hours or continuous flow.

The humidifier’s safety feature will kick in for automatic shutoff when the tank is empty. I really like the way this ultrasonic diffuser has a whisper-quiet motor. The controls are also very intuitive to use.

Rating Breakdown:

• Performance 8/10
• Noise 8/10
• Run Time 9/10
• Style 10/10
• Price 10/10
• Overall Rating 9

What We Liked:

• Affordable.
• Very portable.
• Looks great in any room. It actually looks like a piece of art.
• Doesn’t take up much space.
• The built-in shutoff feature will turn off the misting feature once the tank is empty.
• Comes with a cleaning kit.

What We Didn’t Like:

• While the LED lights are cool, they may entice your cat to be curious about this unit.
• You have to use this on a table or surface. That might not be ideal if your cat has a habit of jumping up to knock things over.

Best Budget Pet Friendly Humidifier

9.4

LEVOIT Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

• For smaller to medium size rooms and very quiet
• Performs like pricier units for less than half the cost
• Refilling and cleaning is super easy

 

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• Capacity: 4 L

This 4-liter cool mist humidifier recreates what’s offered by some of the pricier units on my list for less than half the cost. First, I love the large opening that makes refilling your tank a breeze. You can also wipe down the interior easily!

It’s also very easy to remove the cap on this unit to do a thorough cleaning. You even get a complimentary brush to use!

The LEVOIT Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier boasts 40 hours of continuous use on the lower setting. While that drops down to 10 hours on the high setting, I’m still impressed.

On the safety front, I really like the automatic-shutoff feature that activates when the tank runs out of water. The unit will also shut off if the tank is lifted.

This is a very quiet humidifier that actually drops down to less than 30 decibels. You can also power down the display lights when it’s time for sleep mode.

Lastly, I’m a fan of the adjustable nozzle with three mist speeds because it allows you to really control the setting you’re creating for your cat’s wellness.

Rating Breakdown:

• Performance 9/10
• Noise 10/10
• Run Time 10/10
• Style 8/10
• Price 10/10
• Overall Rating 9.4

What We Liked:

• A great price! This humidifier costs less than half of what comparable models cost.
• Offers up to 40 hours of performance before you need a refill.
• Quiet performance with the ability to dim the display for zero light pollution.
• Auto-shutoff safety feature.
• The large opening makes cleaning and refilling so easy!

What We Didn’t Like:

• It doesn’t come with a remote control.
• While this isn’t an unattractive humidifier, I don’t think its appearance is as dynamic as some of the high-end humidifiers.

So Sleek!

9.4

GENIANI Huron Humidifier

• For those who want a no-fuss humidifier that works
• Smart mode adjusts according to moisture level in rooms
• For smaller rooms + essential oil compatible

 

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• Capacity: 4 L

Put this at the top of the list for no-fuss humidifiers. This unit offers a smart mode that makes it easy to maintain healthy, safe humidity levels using a built-in sensor!

This pet friendly humidifier also gets my approval based on its top-fill style that allows you to simply pour water into the insert at the top.

In addition to being smart, the GENIANI Huron Humidifier is also quiet. It drops down to 38 decibels for a quiet, agitation-free sleeping experience. I also like the auto-shutoff feature with an optional LED nightlight.

This humidifier is easy to clean by simply removing the lid. Once the water is out, you can wipe the entire tank with a wet cloth.

This humidifier is a good option for something like a bedroom because it covers up to 220 square feet of space. Its 4-liter water tank offers up to 18 hours of performance time!

Rating Breakdown:

• Performance 8/10
• Noise 8/10
• Run Time 7/10
• Style 9/10
• Price 10/10
• Overall Rating 8.4

What We Liked:

• Features smart technology that allows you to maintain optimal humidity levels with no hassles!
• Quiet.
• Very compact and unassuming.
• Easy to fill!
• Easy to clean!

What We Didn’t Like:

• The price is slightly high for the size.
• This is a two-in-one humidifier and diffuser. The fact that you shouldn’t use essential oils with your cat means that you’re technically paying for a feature you don’t need.

Also Great!

9

Air Innovations MH-901D Large Room Humidifier

• Longest lasting model on my list
• Has a permanent ceramic filter, no need to buy replacements
• Includes a long nozzle to really fill a room

 

 

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• Capacity: 1.5 gallon

I had to put this bonus cat humidifier on the list because it offers up to 100 hours of humidity control with silent performance.

This happens to be my top pick if you’re looking for a product that will help you to create a cleaner, healthier indoor environment for your pet. Its superstar feature is a permanent ceramic filter that removes impurities before putting clean moisture back into the air.

The Air Innovations MH-901D Large Room Humidifier fits up to 1.6 gallons of water for continuous humidification lasting up to 100 hours! In addition to an auto-shutoff feature that kicks in when your tank is empty, this model features a programmable timer.

I like the “command central” LED display on the front of the unit letting you know what all of your settings are doing with a glance. You can use this display to adjust mist output, control humidity levels and set the timer.

There’s a lot of customization here. In addition to a five-level adjustable mist output, there’s also a removable 16-inch expansion nozzle. You’re also getting great features like a top-fill tank, easy-to-lift lid and antimicrobial tank.

Rating Breakdown:

• Performance 10/10
• Noise 9/10
• Run Time 10/10
• Style 8/10
• Price 8/10
• Overall Rating 9

What We Liked:

• This model offers the longest sustained humidification capabilities I could find. It can run for a full 100 hours without a refill.
• Quiet performance.
• Easy LED display.

What We Didn’t Like:

• This is the only model on my list that really looks like a humidifier. It’s still a good fit for a bedroom.
• On the pricier side.
• The narrow design might be easier for your cat to knock over!

What You Need to Know About Finding a Pet Friendly Humidifier

Let’s start by talking about how to choose a humidifier for your cat. Here’s my quick checklist:

Tank Size

This is a judgment call. If you’ll be moving the humidifier from room to room, opt for a compact size that’s easy to carry. However, a larger tank gives you more mist time without the need to refill.

Some humidifiers boast 100 hours of continuous misting without refills!

Water Type

The general advice is to use distilled or demineralized water. Tap water contains minerals that can actually cause harmful bacteria to grow inside your humidifier.

Noise

How does your cat respond to noise? While noise is less of an issue if your cat doesn’t get upset by sounds, you should still try to find a quiet model if you’ll be using the unit during napping and sleeping.

You should also look for zero-light-pollution models that allow you to fully dim digital displays if your cat needs a distraction-free sleeping environment.

Adjustable Mist

While modern humidifiers are designed to have ultra-fine mists that won’t bead on your furniture and flooring, it’s nice to be able to control mist output and direction.

All humidifiers mentioned in my review list are ultrasonic and do not simply “spray water” into the air.

Timer/Automatic Shutoff

Make sure your humidifier has a safety feature that shuts off the unit when the water tank is empty. Try to find a programmable humidifier that ensures you’re not accidentally leaving the unit on when you’re not around.

Everyday Use

Pay attention to the total number of hours per refill. While some humidifiers only give you 10 hours of continuous use before a refill, others offer 100.

Warm or Cool Mist

Cool mist humidifiers for cats are just safer! Avoid warm humidifiers that can create burning or scalding issues with curious cats. It’s fine to use a unit that offers both.

Benefits of Humidifiers for Cats

Humidifiers have numerous benefits for cats, just like for humans. In colder weather or indoor air conditioned environments where moisture is pulled from the air, humidifiers add moisture back into the air.

The ideal humidity for cats and humans is between 30 and 50%, and below this the dry air that results can irritate the nose, throat, lungs, mouth and skin.

Let’s cover some of the issues that a humidifier can help to soothe! Remember that the below applies to humans and other animals too.

Asthma

Humidifiers are commonly used for cat asthma. Asthma is a disease of the lower lungs affecting between 1 percent and 5 percent of all cats.

This is a topic that’s important to me because I was informed that my Maine Coon is actually susceptible to asthma after talking to the vet about wheezing and coughing issues.

While we’ve seen progress implementing diet changes and low tracking litter, it wasn’t until I introduced a humidifier that we saw big improvements.

If you’re searching for a humidifier because your cat has asthma, you’ll also find my tips for switching to asthma-friendly cat litter helpful. I also want to give you a quick rundown of asthma signs in cats to look for:

• Breathing difficulties.
• Open-mouth breathing.
• Wheezing.
• Rapid breathing.
• Coughing.
• Hacking.
• Vomiting.

Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs)

URIs are surprisingly common in cats. Think of this like a cold that’s more serious. Caused by various bacteria and virus sources, URIs target the upper airway, nose, throat and sinuses instead of the lungs. Here’s how you might know your cat has a URI:

• Sneezing, coughing, congestion and runny nose.
• Clear or colored eye and nasal discharge.
• Drooling.
• Gagging.
• Fever.
• Appetite loss.
• Squinting and rubbing eyes.
• Tiredness.
• Nose and mouth ulcers.
• A hoarse meow.
• Pawing on the mouth and face

Allergies

While feline allergy origins are hard to pin down, the very visible symptoms include sneezing, coughing, wheezing, hives, red skin and itchy eyes. All of which are made worse from dry air inflaming mucous membranes.

A humidifier adds moisture into the air and relieves irritation leading to relief. Feline asthma also stems from allergic bronchitis. Let’s prevent rather than treat later on!

Congestion and Colds

“Cats can experience dry, raw nasal passages and throats when they get sick. A cold and dry environment exacerbates this, so a humidifier brings welcome relief by moistening their mucus membranes,” says Dr. Abdul Basit Javed (DVM, RVMP), Maine Coon Hawaii’s veterinary advisor.

Not to mention cats are intrigued by the mist plumes flying in the air!

Feline Herpes

Herpesvirus infection (FVR) is an infectious disease that routinely causes upper respiratory disease with conjunctivitis.

“Cats with nasal or airway congestion may benefit from increased environmental humidification,” according to Krista Williams and Cheryl Yuill at VCA Hospitals.

Are Humidifiers Safe for Your Cat?

Yes! Safe for both pets and humans, humidifiers simply add moisture. The vapor that is created using pure water helps to increase humidity.

Cool mist humidifiers add extra peace of mind if you have a cat known for knocking over objects because you don’t have to worry about boiling water.

While humidifiers get the green light for safety, you should skip essential oils. While some people assume that adding a few drops of their favorite oil will soothe a cat, many essential oils are toxic for cats.

In addition to presenting poison risks, some oils can simply sting your cat’s eyes, nose and throat when they are misted into the air.

The safe range for relative humidity in a home with cats is between 30% and 50%. Pet friendly humidifiers will help you get there.

Frequently Asked Questions About Humidifiers for Cats

Will a humidifier help my cat?

While it’s impossible to say without asking a veterinarian, a humidifier helps to relieve air dryness that can irritate a cat’s skin, eyes, throat and nasal passages. Humidifiers are often used to help cats with asthma, allergies, respiratory infections, colds and more.

Do humidifiers help cats with colds?

Yes, a humidifier can help a cat struggling with rawness and dryness during a cold.

Will steam help a congested cat?

While steam can be beneficial for loosening mucus caught in a cat’s respiratory system, it’s important to use caution when placing your cat near hot or boiling water. A cool humidifier is a much better option.

According to Dr. Javed, “another great option is to use a nebulizer for cats to relieve their congestion and provide them soothing effect. You can add ventolin drops into the nebulizer to help improve the breathing of your cat.”

Will a humidifier hurt my cat?

When used properly, a humidifier won’t harm your cat. Use best practices when introducing a humidifier into your home.

This can include keeping the humidifier in an area your cat can’t access, placing a humidifier in a stable area and monitoring the humidifier. Use a cool mist humidifier instead of a warm-mist humidifier to avoid burning or scalding.

Gary H.

I’m Gary Hu, a proud cat dad to a 15 lb Maine Coon. Have taken care of outdoor and indoor cats for over 10 years, and learned tons on behavior, habits, health, and products. I help new Maine Coon (or any other cat) parents with common questions and issues based on real, practical experience.