10 facts about secondhand smoke and pets

10 facts about secondhand smoke and pets

April 11, 2016

Having secondhand smoke and pets in the same space is harmful

We are publishing this article today, April 11th, because it is National Pet Day.

While the effects of secondhand smoke on humans is widely documented, secondhand smoke and pets can be equally dangerous.

1.  Your furry friends have lungs and respiratory systems too.

There are 4,000 chemicals in secondhand smoke, and over 50 are known to cause cancer.

Dogs that inhale secondhand smoke are three times more likely to develop cancer than dogs living in smoke-free homes.

2.  Secondhand smoke gets trapped in the fur of pets.

Humans wash their hands and bathe frequently which washes away the toxins on their skin.

How often is the secondhand smoke on pets washed away?

3.  Cats are more likely to get Feline Lymphoma in a smoker’s home.

Cats constantly lick themselves while grooming taking all the toxins into their mouths.

A survey at  Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine found that cats who lived with a smoker had between two and four times the chances of developing cancer.

 4.  Your pets live on the floor where third hand smoke is located.

Third hand smoke consists of the tobacco residue that is left behind after smoking and builds up on surfaces and furnishings.

Because cats and dogs are lower in height they are closer to the carpets and furniture that smoke becomes trapped in.

5.  The ASPCA says secondhand smoke and pets is no joke.

Any symptoms affecting your dog’s ability to breathe comfortably require veterinary diagnosis.

Avoid smoking around your pet and save money on your vet bills.

6.  Secondhand smoke can cause Canine Lung Cancer.

Because dogs have a shorter lifespan, a few years of exposure can equal half of their life.

Small dogs have small lung capacity and are more sensitive to smoke than their owners.

Some smokers avoid smoking around others without considering secondhand smoke and pets.

7. More medical concerns about secondhand smoke and pets

Secondhand smoke causes respiratory difficulties and breathing problems in pets such as asthma.

Nicotine from secondhand smoke can affect the nervous systems of cats and dogs.

8.  It is no surprise that the same smoke that is bad for you is bad for your pets.

Your pets share some common physiology with you, so things that are toxic to you are toxic to them.

In most households your dogs and cats can’t get away from the toxic air, it is the only air available to them.

9.  Ventilate your home to dilute the second hand smoke.

Ventilation is used to remove or dilute pollutants, improve Indoor Air Quality and control the humidity in buildings.

The E-Z Breathe Ventilation System is a maintenance free cost effective way to ventilate your home.

10. If you love animals and smoke around your pets, rethink what you are doing.

The best way to limit the danger of secondhand smoke and pets is to quit smoking now. Free help for quitting is here.

Designate a separate room in the house for smoking and keep the pets out.

By smoking outside only, you can minimize secondhand smoke exposure for your pets and family.