Creating a comfortable space for cats who are sensitive to humidity

Rainy-season humidity is the enemy

The rainy season, when humidity rises all at once. When the muggy days drag on, it's easy to feel under the weather, isn't it? In fact, cats are just as sensitive to this season as we are. Their skin can get sticky and put them in a bad mood, or they may have trouble falling asleep. They may even lose their appetite. As a result, their stamina can drop, leaving them vulnerable to all sorts of problems. In this article, we explain everything from why cats are sensitive to humidity to the illnesses they are prone to and how to deal with humidity.

Why cats are sensitive to humidity

The cat's ancestor, the African wildcat, lived in desert regions, so cats tend to handle dry heat well. But they struggle with hot, humid climates like Japan's. They have sweat glands only on their paw pads, which makes it hard for them to release heat, and when humidity rises, the amount of moisture in the air increases, making it harder for sweat to evaporate. Another reason is that humidity makes the moisture from their saliva during grooming slower to evaporate. Cats lower their body temperature through the heat of vaporization as their saliva evaporates.

What are the ideal room temperature and humidity?

So what room temperature and humidity are best? According to the Ministry of the Environment's "Interpretation and Operational Guidelines for Standards for the Care and Management of Dogs and Cats in Animal Handling Businesses" ※１, a room temperature of around 20–23℃ and humidity of around 50% are generally recommended. However, cats that are sensitive to humidity may need to be kept cooler. The ideal temperature and humidity also vary with breed, habits, each cat's physical characteristics and health, so please find what's best for your cat.

Watch out for dryness in winter

Some people may think winter is safe because humidity drops, but dryness becomes the problem instead. When humidity falls below 20%, static electricity builds up more easily, and brushing can even become painful. Also, if cats don't drink enough water, they can develop urinary tract diseases. Cats tend to stay put in warm places and stop going to where the water is, so keep an eye on them.

Health problems caused by high humidity

Next, we explain the main illnesses that tend to occur from the rainy season through summer.

1.Heatstroke

Just as in humans, it occurs when heat builds up inside the body and body temperature rises. If your cat starts panting with its mouth open, be careful. Long-haired cats, kittens, senior cats, overweight cats, and flat-faced brachycephalic breeds whose skull structure makes breathing difficult are said to be especially susceptible.

2.Illnesses caused by fleas and ticks

Fleas become active at 13℃ and ticks/mites at 20℃, and they breed even more as humidity rises, so extra care is needed. Examples include the following.

・Flea allergy dermatitis

A red rash appears from the neck down the back to the rear, accompanied by intense itching. Cats may scratch so much that hair loss or bleeding occurs.

・Scabies and ear scabies (ear mites)

The intense itching may cause cats to shake their heads violently. Dark earwax is another telltale sign.

3.Illnesses caused by fungi

Fungi are what we commonly call mold, and the rainy season is when they multiply. They are classified into yeasts, filamentous fungi and basidiomycetes; some are harmless and put to good use in human food, but others are harmful.

・Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

Caused by filamentous fungi, it leads to hair loss on the face, ears and legs, with dry, flaky skin or bumps, sometimes accompanied by intense itching.

・Malassezia dermatitis and Malassezia otitis externa

These are diseases caused by an abnormal overgrowth of yeast. The skin and ears become red and itchy.

In addition, damp, stuffy fur can lead to acute moist dermatitis (hot spots), or worsen atopic dermatitis. It's truly hard to see your cat suffering from itching, isn't it?

Keeping the right indoor environment

But with a little effort from you, you can protect your cat from this enemy. To maintain the best room temperature and humidity, please try the following.

・Ventilate frequently

To let trapped humidity escape outdoors, open windows or doors in two or more places to create a path for the air to flow.

・Move your cat's bed to a cool spot

Choose a well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight for the bed. The key point is to pick a spot where the air conditioner's airflow doesn't blow directly on it. Getting too cold can also make your cat unwell.

・Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier

Using your air conditioner's dehumidifying function and temperature setting is the surest option. Alternatively, dehumidifiers and the free-standing dehumidifying clothes dryers used for drying laundry indoors also let you set the humidity. They dry laundry quickly and dehumidify at the same time — two birds with one stone.

・Place moisture absorbers

They come in various forms, such as standing and hanging types. Choose the right one depending on where your cat's bed is.

On top of that, placing a mat or pillow made of materials that absorb and release moisture well in your cat's bed helps create the ideal environment.

Watch for your cat's "silent signals"

For example, what if your cat suddenly changes where it sleeps? Its bed may have become uncomfortable due to humidity. What if it starts grooming intensely during long spells of rain? It may be struggling to regulate its body temperature. Long-haired cats in particular are prone to rashes from damp, stuffy skin, and may even develop bald patches from overlicking. Cats can't talk, so they can't tell us when they feel uncomfortable or unwell. If you think, "Hmm, something's off," respond right away.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is the ideal humidity for cats?
A. Around 50% humidity and a room temperature of around 20–23℃ are a good guide (Ministry of the Environment guidelines ※１). For cats sensitive to humidity, please keep things a little cooler.

Q. My cat grooms more during the rainy season.
A. It may be a sign that your cat is trying to lower its body temperature through the evaporation of saliva. Move its bed to a well-ventilated spot and bring the humidity down. Long-haired breeds are prone to stuffy, damp skin, so also watch out for lick-induced bald patches and eczema.

Q. Is air-conditioner dehumidifying hard on cats?
A. It's fine as long as the bed is in a spot where the airflow doesn't hit it directly. Getting too cold can also make cats unwell, so be careful not to set the temperature too low.

Q. What should I watch out for in winter?
A. When humidity drops below 20%, static electricity and dryness become more likely. Some cats settle in a warm spot and stop going to drink water, so encourage them to stay hydrated.

Q. How do I care for the humidity-control mat?
A. Just dry it in the shade regularly. Its moisture-absorbing performance does not decline even after repeated washing.

Onddoka Humidity-Control Mats and Pillows

Onddoka offers mats and pillows made with Bell Oasis®︎, a cotton-like fiber with about 7 times the moisture absorbency of cotton and twice that of silica gel, as well as sheepskin pillows that help keep warmth in and stay cool. The outer fabric is a natural material, so it feels pleasantly smooth and dry against the skin even in summer. It is also excellent at deodorizing. Simply placed in a spot, it absorbs the surrounding moisture and releases it without retaining it inside, so you can lay it directly wherever your cat relaxes, such as a cat bed, chigura (straw cat house), or cage. There are also designs that come as a set with a bed, so please take a look.

→ Onddoka Humidity Control Series (humidity-control mats and humidity-control pillows)
→ Bed accessory (pillows, blankets, mats)

Recommended reading: Tips and tricks to keep your cat comfortable in the summer

※１＜References＞Interpretation and Operational Guidelines for the Standards for the Care and Management of Dogs and Cats in Animal Handling Businesseshttps://www.env.go.jp/nature/dobutsu/aigo/2_data/pamph/r0305a/full.pdf