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The Effect of Secondhand Smoking on Pets

We all know that secondhand smoke can affect the health and well-being of our fellow humans. Many people don't realize that it can also be harmful to our pets as well, namely dogs, cats and birds. If you can't quit, at least do not smoke in your home if there are pets who live with you.

  1. Quality of Life

    • Aside from the health problems that secondhand smoke can cause for animals, their quality of life is affected as well. The smell irritates many pets and the smoke itself can hurt their eyes. Most pets groom themselves, and the taste of the chemical deposits on their fur and skin can be bothersome.

    Lung Conditions

    • Birds have been known to develop pneumonia from secondhand smoke. Other lung conditions like emphysema and bronchitis are possible as well, for all animals.

    Cancer

    • It has been shown that pets who live in homes where the owners smoke are significantly more likely to develop cancer when compared with pets who are not exposed. Cancers commonly seen are lung cancer, nose cancer in dogs with long snouts and lymphoma and oral cancer in cats.

    Factors in Dogs

    • Not every animal is effected in the same manner by secondhand smoke. In dogs, the effects of this inhalation depend upon factors such as how much time the dog spends inside, age, gender, size and the shape of the dog's skull (which houses the sinus cavities).

    Factors in Cats

    • The risk factors for cats are similar to those in dogs. In addition, the amount of grooming the cat does also has an effect on whether the cat becomes ill or not. The chemicals in smoke cling to the fur and since cats lick themselves often, they ingest these chemicals, which can cause problems like the aforementioned oral cancer and lymphoma.

    Warning Signs

    • If you see your pet coughing, losing weight, getting fatigued easily, sneezing, expelling any type of discharge or growing any type of mass, you need to get him checked out by a vet. Vets do not routinely screen for illnesses that arise from pet parents' smoking, so be sure to mention it and request that your animal be tested thoroughly.

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