Caring for Your Oxygen Equipment with Pets in the House

The furry critters running around your house always hold a special place in your heart. They typically become your best friend within weeks of getting them. However, some of you may have an animal that likes to be mischievous or needs some more training.

With oxygen equipment in your house, whether you have portable and home oxygen concentrators or some type of tank set up, there are a number of things you can do to protect your equipment and your pets. 

Caring for Oxygen Tubing and Nasal Cannulas

Nasal cannulas typically become a new favorite toy for a lot of cats and some dogs. Cannulas/tubing can hang off of the concentrator and sway back and forth which looks enticing to many pets.

Not to mention the softness of the cannula makes it a favorable target for your pet to chew on or claw at.

To prevent your pets from destroying your nasal cannulas, here are a few tips for you to follow:

• If your pet is chewing on your cannula spray some bitter apple spray or sometihng similar on your nasal cannula. Cats and dogs do not like the bitter taste which deters them from chewing.
  
  
• Another alternative to bitter apple is a cayenne pepper or cinnamon and water solution. Simply spray the part of the cannula or tubing that your pet likes to chew on and the heat of the pepper/cinnamon will make them think twice about chewing your cannula again.
  
  
• If you notice your pet likes to play with the cannula while it dangles off of the concentrator, you can tape the excess tubing to your concentrator. Another option would be to move your concentrator to an area where you can hide the cannula from your pet, like running your tubing behind your couch.