Cigarette Smoke and your Fur Baby

We all know the risks to humans, but have you ever thought about how cigarette smoke affects your furry loved ones?  Read on to learn more…

Impact on your Kitty

A cat living in a home with a smoker is more like to suffer from respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis, which alone can be life threatening illnesses.  Cigarette and cigar smoke aren’t just a problem while the carcinogens are floating through the air; they also cling to all surfaces as they settle.  As you may expect, kitties are more likely to develop oral cancer and tumors in the lymph nodes because they not only inhale the toxic particles, but they also lick them off their fur while grooming.

Impact on your Pup

Pups have a greater risk of allergies and eye problems when exposed to second-hand smoke.  What’s interesting is that the length of the pup’s muzzle may influence the location where cancer can develop.  A survey on LiveScience.com states that dogs with short to medium length muzzles are more likely to develop lung cancer; whereas pups with long muzzles are more likely to develop nasal cancers.  The thought is longer muzzles have more surface area for the carcinogens to accumulate before ever reaching the lungs.

Safer Practices

While quitting is the healthiest option for both you and your fur baby, we know that can be easier said than done.  Here are a few ways you can help minimize the impact to your furry loved ones:

• Wash your hands after smoking and before you touch your fur babies.
• Don’t smoke inside your house or car. This prevents carcinogens from accumulating on your furniture, floors, and your fur baby’s coat.
• Dispose of cigarette butts and used Nicotine where your fur baby can’t reach them.  Nicotine toxicity can kill your fur baby.
• Wipe your fur baby’s coat daily.  This will remove any toxins that may have transferred from clothes during snuggle sessions. 

Do you have any other ways to help keep your pet safe from smoke? In the meantime, share this article with someone you know who smokes.