- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
You might already know that secondhand smoke is dangerous for people—but did you also know it poses many of the same health risks for your pets?
Dogs and cats are more likely to develop cancer when their pet parents smoke. What’s more, thirdhand smoke can cling to your cat’s fur, your bird’s feathers, and even affect the water quality in aquariums. Simply put, smoking around pets isn’t safe.
Read on to learn why veterinarians advise against smoking and vaping around pets, plus get a few tips for minimizing your pets’ exposure. Hint: quitting is the best approach.
Effects Of Secondhand Smoke On Dogs and Cats
Cats and dogs exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher risk of developing:
- Canine or feline eye infections
- Skin irritation
- Allergies
- Chronic bronchitis
- Asthma
- Cancer
Although all pets can be affected by secondhand smoke, those with existing breathing or health issues often have worse symptoms. You may notice symptoms of secondhand smoke in dogs and cats within a few months, though it may take years, depending on the level of exposure and your pet’s health.
The toxins in cigarette smoke don’t just affect the lungs.
Cats exposed to secondhand smoke face a higher risk of certain cancers, especially oral cancers and lymphoma. One study also found that Scottish terriers living in smoky homes were six times more likely to develop bladder cancer. The body tries to flush out the harmful chemicals through urine, which results in a buildup of toxins in the bladder, the researchers explained.
Keeping your pet safe from cancer not only means learning to spot the early signs but also limiting their exposure to carcinogens.
Does your dog’s snout increase their risk of cancer?
Dogs with long snouts may have a higher risk of smoke-related nasal cancer, possibly due to the collection of tobacco smoke particles in larger nasal passages and chronic airway exposure over time.
Ostermeier points out that this reasoning hasn’t been confirmed. Still, no matter the length of your dog’s nose, secondhand smoke can increase their risk of developing cancerous nasal tumors.
Dogs with shorter snouts also have a higher risk of lung cancer, since the smoke directly enters their lungs instead of getting filtered in the nose.
Secondhand Smoke vs. Thirdhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke, or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is what pets or people breathe in when someone else smokes cigarettes or e-cigarettes.
Formaldehyde, benzene, vinyl chloride, arsenic ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide are just a few of the toxic and cancer-causing chemicals inhaled when breathing secondhand tobacco smoke.
Thirdhand smoke is the residue left over from smoking, even after the air has been cleaned.
Thirdhand smoke sticks to surfaces like skin and hair, says Dr. Nell Ostermeier, DVM, CVA, FAAVA, a veterinarian and spokesperson for Figo Pet Insurance. So, when your dog or cat grooms themselves, they might end up ingesting harmful chemicals. Additionally, if they regularly lay on surfaces that have smoke residue, like carpets, rugs, or furniture, thirdhand smoke could transfer to their fur.
Thirdhand Smoke And Grooming
“Pets can indeed be exposed to smoke through grooming,” says Dr. Nick Horniman, MRCVS, veterinary surgeon and founder of online pet pharmacy MyPetsVet. And while cats may tend to groom more than dogs, your canine companion still faces some danger.
Ingesting harmful smoke residue can lead to a range of health issues, from skin irritation to respiratory problems, explains Horniman. Thirdhand smoke ingestion may contribute to oral squamous cell carcinoma. These are cancerous tumors inside the mouth commonly located in the tissues around the teeth or under the tongue.
Smoke Affects Small Pets, Too
Cigarette smoke doesn’t discriminate. “Any living being who breathes air and has skin or scales could experience negative effects from secondhand or thirdhand smoke,” Ostermeier says.
Birds are among the most sensitive to cigarette smoke, our experts say. Their unique respiratory system makes them particularly vulnerable to pneumonia and lung cancer, and exposure to thirdhand smoke can cause skin irritation, resulting in feather-picking or other forms of self-trauma.
However, even the residue that settles in your aquarium water can prove life-threatening to your scaled companions.
Small animals also face risks: Rabbits exposed to smoke have a higher risk of heart disease.
Quitting Tobacco Products Protects Everyone’s Health
Smoking cigarettes or e-cigarettes around your pets can do major harm.
The best choice for your pet’s well-being (and yours!) is to quit tobacco products altogether.
If that’s not possible at the moment, you can avoid smoking around your pets. “Consider creating designated smoking areas away from your pets, ensuring proper ventilation in your home, and regularly cleaning and airing out indoor spaces,” Horniman suggests.
Pets generally spend most of their time at home, which means they face increased exposure to lingering toxins, even when you’re not there.
Quitting smoking completely is the best way to help everyone in your home stay healthy and safe from secondhand smoke.