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Oxygen masks are used in many fields and by many professionals, including divers, astronauts, and aviators.
They are also common in medical practice and therapies.
However, you may not know yet that there are special oxygen masks for dogs at times when you may need to have one at home—during emergencies, especially when they get rescued from a fire.
Although professionals like firefighters must carry oxygen masks for dogs because they are expected to deal with such emergencies, there are other situations where your pooch may need the life-saving oxygen you provide.
Let's talk about the reasons why you may need a dog oxygen mask and where to buy it.
Below, I will also review some of the best oxygen masks for dogs and a couple of inhalers for dogs with asthma.
After all, they work similarly to dog oxygen masks and provide an easy way for your pooch to get his asthma under control.
- The preferred method for easy...
- Carried on ambulances across...
- Green ports on the side help...
- Includes 6 Feet of Tubing to...
- The standard for oxygen care...
- Vet tested, dog approved: dog...
- Confidence in medication...
- Reduced medication cost: makes...
- Easy to use: canine aerosol...
- Designed for dogs: custom...
- FITS MOST DOGS – comes with...
- BREATHING INDICATOR – The...
- DESIGNED FOR DOGS – product...
- EASY TO OPERATE AND CLEAN –...
- EFFECTIVENESS GUARANTEE: Our...
YOUR PERFECT CANINE...
BREATHING...
MATERIAL MEDICAL...
FIT ALL DOGS...
EASY TO USE AND...
- 【 CAT INHALER 】:This...
- 【 DESIGNED FOR PETS】:Our...
- 【 EXCELLENT MATERIAL】:PVC...
- 【 EASY TO USE AND...
- 【WORRY FREE AFTER...
Why and When Do You Need an Oxygen Mask for Dogs?
Dogs will need oxygen masks for the same reason humans do.
While oxygen masks for humans are an integral piece of equipment for firefighters, airplane crew, and emergency medical technicians, dog oxygen masks are not that common yet.
In an emergency, oxygen masks for humans can’t be used to help dogs because they need masks made specifically for our furry friends.
At the moment, dog oxygen masks can only be found at a vet’s office.
However, some firefighting departments are adding dog oxygen masks to their equipment.
This is not a surprise since more than 40.000 pets die every year in residential fires, usually from smoke inhalation.
Dog oxygen masks can usually be used for cats as well, and they are helpful for both conscious pets that suffer from smoke inhalation and pets that must be resuscitated.
These statistics show that oxygen masks for dogs are very important, and you can help your local fire department by buying and donating a dog oxygen mask.
Of course, before you do this, contact your local fire department to see whether they need dog oxygen masks since they might already have them.
Dog oxygen masks are not only needed in emergencies like fires and traffic accidents.
Your pooch may require a dog oxygen mask at home if he has certain health problems.
Some health conditions require regular oxygen therapy, and in these cases, it is easier and cheaper to get a dog oxygen mask for home oxygen therapy than taking your dog to the vet each time he has to receive oxygen.
Another common use of dog oxygen masks is on an airplane.
Your dog may start suffocating if he gets too afraid and anxious during the plane ride.
While standard oxygen masks on plains can provide help for dogs as well, oxygen masks made specifically for pets are a much better solution in these situations.
How Oxygen Masks Work on Dogs
As we already mentioned, oxygen masks for humans can’t help your pooch because they won’t fit on his face properly.
On the other hand, dog oxygen masks fit snugly around his nose and mouth and provide the needed oxygen as your dog breathes in as he would normally do.
Unlike oxygen masks for humans, dog oxygen masks press on the dog’s jowls in order to keep them shut and to allow the dog to take oxygen through his nose.
In addition to this, dog oxygen masks protect the rescuers from being bitten, which can happen in cases where frightened dogs start to revive or are just too scared and don’t want to be handled.
You can also use dog oxygen masks multiple times. You only need to clean them after you use them.
In fact, some oxygen mask kits come with a few different masks of different sizes and include the necessary accessories.
The Best Dog Oxygen Masks
McCulloch Medical Dog Oxygen Therapy and Rescue Mask
Unlike the previous entries on our list, this dog oxygen mask includes 6 feet of tubing that you can connect to the oxygen source, like an oxygen tank.
In addition to this, you can get this mask in three different sizes or choose a set of three masks if you have multiple pets.
- The preferred method for easy...
- Carried on ambulances across...
- Green ports on the side help...
- Includes 6 Feet of Tubing to...
- The standard for oxygen care...
This mask can be used to easily administer oxygen to pets with respiratory problems, whether they are caused by medical conditions like asthma or congestive heart failure or by external factors and emergencies like the inhalation of smoke.
The mask has ventilated sides where CO2 can escape.
The reviews for this dog oxygen mask are stellar, and it is hard to find any faults with it other than it being a bit expensive.
PROS: Available in Three Different Sizes, Includes 6 Feet of Tubing, Has Ventilated Sides
CONS: Expensive
AeroDawg The Original Canine Aerosol Chamber Inhaler
Due to the lack of other brands of oxygen masks being taken down, we will suggest some dog inhalers. AearoDawg will be the first on this list.
This inhaler is basically a muzzle used to deliver oxygen to dogs.
That means that it will fit perfectly on your dog’s nose, especially since you can get this inhaler in two different sizes.
In addition to the large mask, there is also a small oxygen mask you can find on the market.
- Vet tested, dog approved: dog...
- Confidence in medication...
- Reduced medication cost: makes...
- Easy to use: canine aerosol...
- Designed for dogs: custom...
This mask is made out of lightweight plastic, and it is also water-resistant. It is also veterinarian-tested, which is why it is on our list of best dog oxygen masks.
The mask has reinforced stitching to make it more durable.
However, some users complained that the sizing was not really appropriate since the mask was too small for some dog owners.
In addition to this, the mask is made out of transparent materials because it would be less scary for anxious dogs.
PROS: Durable, Lightweight, Adjustable Straps, Easy-Release Snap, Comes in Multiple Sizes, Waterproof
CONS: Some Complaints of Size Inaccuracies, Could Be Transparent
Free-Space Oxygen Mask for Dogs
This inhaler is the second one on this list and is not as expensive as AeroDawg.
It only comes in one size.
This dog inhaler goes over the dog’s nose and mouth.
You can adjust it by just holding the back of your dog's head and moving it up and down.
- FITS MOST DOGS – comes with...
- BREATHING INDICATOR – The...
- DESIGNED FOR DOGS – product...
- EASY TO OPERATE AND CLEAN –...
- EFFECTIVENESS GUARANTEE: Our...
Customers found this product easy to assemble and clean, and it worked well with their small dogs.
However, customers found it somewhat frustrating that it only had one size.
With that in mind, this product is on the inexpensive side.
PROS: Inexpensive, easy to clean
CONS: Only has one size for dogs
Dr. Pet Canine Inhaler
As we already mentioned earlier, we will also include a couple of inhalers here.
The next on our list comes from Dr. Pet.
This aerosol chamber comes with three silicone masks of different sizes, so you don’t have to worry about finding the right size for your pooch.
YOUR PERFECT CANINE...
BREATHING...
MATERIAL MEDICAL...
FIT ALL DOGS...
EASY TO USE AND...
This product is meant specifically for pets that suffer from allergies, asthma, bronchitis, and other similar breathing problems.
This inhaler comes with two valves that allow your dog to inhale and exhale comfortably and easily.
You will also receive an instruction manual, so all you have to do is follow instructions.
This inhaler allows you to easily administer medicine to your dog and most of the reviews confirm that this is a high-quality product.
However, some users noted that even the largest mask is not large enough for some of the bigger breeds.
PROS: Comes with Three Different Masks, Includes Instruction Manual, Made of High-Quality Materials
CONS: The Largest Mask May Not Fit Bigger Breeds
CANACK Cat/Dog Aerosol Inhaler
This product is quite similar to the previous one on our list. It is an aerosol inhaler that distributes medicine to both dogs and cats.
This inhaler also comes with three different masks that fit dogs of most sizes, although they may not be large enough to fit some of the largest breeds.
- 【 CAT INHALER 】:This...
- 【 DESIGNED FOR PETS】:Our...
- 【 EXCELLENT MATERIAL】:PVC...
- 【 EASY TO USE AND...
- 【WORRY FREE AFTER...
The inhaler and masks are made from high-quality silicone, and it can be used for various medical problems.
You can control the amount of medication administered to your pooch easily thanks to this metered-dose inhaler, which also features a low-resistance and sensitive valve.
If you purchase this inhaler, you will also receive a classy and compact storage bag so you can take the kit with you when you go on vacation with your pooch.
PROS: Comes with Three Different Masks, Includes Instruction Manual, Includes a Storage Bag, Made of High-Quality Materials
CONS: The Largest Mask May Not Fit Bigger Breeds
In Summary
Having a dog oxygen mask readily at your disposal can save your dog’s life in many situations, especially after a fire or a car accident.
While some fire departments and first responders have dog oxygen masks, others don’t, and having one yourself can mean the difference between life and death.
In addition to this, some dogs need oxygen therapy or medicine for different medical conditions.
In this case, having a dog oxygen mask or aerosol inhaler at home can make things much easier for you and your pooch.
READ NEXT: Breathing Problems in Dogs – How to Spot Them and What to Do
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