Every health teacher in human history will gladly brief you on the dangers of smoking. But as fully grown adults, we have the power to make our own decisions. Even the heaviest smokers can’t deny the toll it takes on their health, but it’s their body and their choice, so who are they hurting? The answer is those around you, whether it be your friends, children, or furry family members.
Dangers
Second-hand smoke is when the smoke is inhaled by someone in the proximity of the smoker, third-hand smoke is when it attaches to a specific surface and breathed in. Cats frequently exposed to smoke are specifically more prone to malignant (cancerous) lymphoma. Any level of exposure renders your cat more than twice as likely to contract something dangerous. This is because cats groom themselves, allowing toxic particles to be ingested into the bloodstream. Licking these toxic particles can potentially lead to tumor development later down the line.
Second-hand smoke leaves a dog more liable to nose and lung cancer. Brachycephalic dogs like pugs and bulldogs with shorter snouts are more likely to develop lung cancer due to their pre-existing respiratory difficulties. Long snouted breeds typically develop nasal cancer. Either way, exposure to smoke leads to hazardous respiratory issues like cancer, bronchitis, and asthma.
Signs your pet is being effected
Second and third-hand smoke can be just as harmful to pets as it is for humans. Tobacco has over 7,000 potentially dangerous chemicals in the ingredients. Keep an eye out for any type of respiratory issues, vomiting, diarrhea, over salivation, and erratic heartbeat. For long-snouted dogs at risk for nasal cancer, be sure to frequently check for nasal discharge.
Exposure to smoke doesn’t bode well for dogs with sensitive skin or pre-existing skin conditions. Smoke can irritate the delicate skin and cause severe itching, biting, and discomfort. It can also lead to mouth sores in both dogs and cats, which is extremely painful. If you find your pet constantly itching, rubbing, or whining of discomfort, overexposure to smoke can very well be a factor at play. Contact your veterinarian if the symptoms continue or worsen.
How to Help
The only way to guarantee your pet’s smoke safety is to not smoke around them at all. But it’s a free country, so if you must smoke, be sure to do it outside to prevent a lingering scent in the room and keep the air clear. This won’t entirely solve the problem because particles of smoke attach to the clothing you have on. Keep your place as ventilated as possible to help keep your air as fresh as possible. A regular vacuuming routine will also go a long way in purifying the air indoors. Apply the same cleaning regimen to the curtains, drapes, furniture, and bedsheets. Bathing can also help cleanse particles that have clung to your pet’s coat of fur.
It’s pretty objective to say that smoking is detrimental to your health. But if you must smoke, it’s responsible to be considerate of your pets that you may be effecting.
